The story of Stivali is a little different than mine.
She did not select Mamma to take care of her the way I did.
Mamma tells us our adoption stories often - maybe it is to guarantee we never forget how we all found one another and why we now have such an awesome and safe life together.
Stivali was not born in Searsport, Maine like I was. She was born in Lake Wales, Florida.
Late in the evening on November 29, 2010, our phone rang. I could hear Ma's friend, Miss Ashley, ask, "Assunta, do you want another kitty? We just picked up the tiniest most adorable black and white kitten at the Eagle Ridge Mall."
Mamma was at first, very confused. . . Miss Ashley had a couple of dogs, and a cat - and she got another kitten tonight at the mall?
Miss Ashley explained that there must have been a cat with kittens on the sidewalk area of one of the entrances to the mall, because she witnessed this little runt of the litter walking off the curb into the parking area. Miss Ashley had to retrieve the tiny kitten because it was liable to be killed. And so after she explained the entire story, she asked again, "Do you want this sweet little kitty?"
Miss Ashley took care of the little kitten for one week while Mamma prepared (me) for her arrival. Miss Ashley called the kitten "Boots" because of her fashionable white booties in the front and thigh high white boots in the back - Ma would get along great with her - clearly already having one thing in common: fashionista! Miss Ashley and her mother arrived at our Winter Haven, Florida home with the scrawny cat six years ago today - December 06, 2010.
We kept the kitten's given name of "Boots", however, we prefer it in Italian, pronounced, "Stee-Vah-Lee".
The doctor we took the little kitten to approximated that she was found at only a couple of weeks old! We had to wait until she was heavier to get all of her shots and to be neutered (at least two months old).
So not only is today the day we celebrate Stivali's Adoption Day - but also her birth - since she was found so tiny and young, it is not too far off from her actual birthday. Perhaps, she was born on Thanksgiving in 2010 - we do not know - but because of her (and Miss Ashley) we do have a lot to be thankful for.
Happy "Birthday" to my sweet and shy little sister, Stivali. We love you very much!
First photo of Ma & Stivali: 12-06-2010
Stivali proving she is not heavy enough to go to the doctor! 12-06-2010
...and how she appears when Ma is on her computer these days...
