Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Bean Beginnings, Bean Today

When I saw Bean for the first time, she was maybe 10 days old, eyes barely open, sticky, sickly, and frail.  She was in her foster home with moms Sarah and Kim, and they were doing all they could to get Charlene and her brother healthy and strong.

 I did not know much about kittens at that time, but it did seem as though these two weren't long for this earth, and though I wanted to scoop her up and hold her close, I resisted because I was afraid I would fall in love with her and my heart would soon be broken.

Sadly, Brother didn't make it, but Charlene began to thrive.

We had just moved into our neighborhood, coincidentally, the day we closed on our house is the day she was born.  While we settled into our new home, I popped over frequently to Kim and Sarah's house to visit wee Bean and check on her progress.  We weren't really thinking about adding another animal to our lives, we were totally happy just with Drewey,  but I was falling hard for Charlene.

I knew I was going to have to pitch the idea of adopting her to Craig soon -- I had been talking about her with him, but hadn't yet suggest we make her "ours".

When Charlene was about a month old, Kim asked if we could "babysit" her.  It was a ploy. It wasn't babysitting at all -- it was just a way to get Craig to spend a little time with Bean and get to know her.

Kim dropped her off in her carrier, and left for the afternoon. Craig was in the shower when she arrived, and as he stepped out of the bathroom, I handed him Charlene.

"I know what you're up to," he said.

"I know," I replied.

He held her up and gave Bean a quick once-over, then kissed her on the head and went into his office with her in his arms.  When he came out of the room later he announced "OK."

"OK?" I asked.

"Yes, OK," he confirmed.

Here's a photo of her taken on that very day.

  charlene at four weeks

This was ten years ago, which I can hardly even believe. She's changed a lot over these years -- from awkward thing to gushing gorgeous feline. From pesky little kitten who once tortured to mature madame. I've loved all of her phases, but the Bean I see today is my favorite.

She is patient, tolerant of my affection, and loving. She's purrs generously. She's chatty and a great communicator, which makes it easy to meet her needs. She's happy, still goofy, and triggers many smiles and giggles every day.

Thank you for bringing so much joy into our lives, Charlene. I am grateful for you. I am thankful for the many kitten lives you've touched. I'm happy to know you touch human lives, too, and that so many are celebrating you on this day.

You are loved by many, Charlene. I hope you feel that.

I think that you do.


Happy birthday, dear Butterbean.



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23 comments:

  1. Oh, I love this story! My husband had much the same reaction with our Pixie--I brought her home from work, basically threw her at him and said 'I have to go to the grocery and get her food or she will starve!'. When I came back from the store, he said 'Ok'. I asked 'Ok, what?'. He said 'Ok, I love her too'. :)

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  2. I'd not read her full adoption story before. It's very sweet. My monitor got a little blurry when I read it, though.

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  3. It's amazing how a cat can change us--my dear Millie Joyful was that way for me. I still remember all those first moments, and miss her terribly (she died last June). I had just over 15 wonderful years with my sweet girl.

    Happy Birthday to Charlene! Here's to many, many more. <3

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  4. You are one special feline, Charlene. I cannot begin to tell you how much you have touched my life. There is a very special place in my heart for you. <3

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  5. Tell it again, tell it again!!

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  6. I loved reading about how Charlene became yours!

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  7. She is such a lady. Well, except maybe in that last picture. *floof*

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  8. Today's tributes to Bean have been so beautiful, touching, and full of love, Laurie! Thank you for allowing us to share in the joyful celebration! And, Bean, thanks for putting up with your adoring public! Happy Birthday!

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  9. It is so hard to believe that peanut is the same Bean of today. She is just so precious and is such a day brightener, as is Wylla. Thank you for such a special blog that shares their lives and brightens so many's days.

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  10. My husband and I are loving your birthday posts. Charlene is gorgeous but so is Wylla. Together: Partay!

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  11. I love both girls, you can see Charlenes gentle nurturing influence on Wylla, they are great fun Cats to watch and have done so well with all the Fosters. I hope Bean has many more birthdays to come !!!!!

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  12. That was beautiful. Thank you for all that you've done for everyone.

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  13. Happy birthday Charlene Butterbean! I love you lots! You're the first kitty blog I followed and now I'm a kitty blogger myself because you introduced me to a wonderful world of kitties! Thank you!

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  14. What a great story. Your husband is precious.

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  15. Happy birthday to the Bean! That belly floofh. So irresistible.

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  16. Happy Birthday to the Queen Charlene Butterbean, I had forgotten but no more, just read about your birthday cake a few minutes ago..wow whee, you are looking mighty gorgeous and sweet..Happy Happy from one big admirer! XXX()()()()()()

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  17. I do love the joyous celebration of all things Charlene.
    She is an amazing feline and I can't help but thank your friends for asking you to 'watch' Charlene.

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  18. Who could say no to that little face? Seriously!

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  19. Happy belated birthday, sweetest Bean xoxo

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  20. What a beautiful story. Happy belated birthday, gorgeous Bean xo

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  21. On this latest birthday, miss Bean, Mister and I wish you the best. Ours were latest lives you touched. Your little Chesley (Chesley Gray) is ABSOLUTLY the perfect kitten that Mister and I were hoping for. Because of your love and gentleness, this little girl has bonded well with her new big brother. She LOVES other kitties because of you and is not intimidated by larger fluffy cats. Thank you Butterbean. You have done so much more for us then you'll know. <3

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  22. That's a beautiful story. Charlene is a special kitty, and the love you and Craig have for her is so clear. She's a lucky girl. Coincidentally, I've had Scarlett for 10 years too, and I can't believe it's been that long. Time sure flies.

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