Tapioca Lucifer Wesch

A few years ago my Chihuahua, Allie-Gator died of old age. I vowed not to have any more pets. I wanted the freedom to travel without having to worry about who would take care of her while I was gone. Unfortunately, life likes to toss any future plans out the window.

I will becoming an octogenarian in 2025. Do I feel that old? Yes and no. The thought of caring for another pet, at my age, was not even a whisper in my mind. It is difficult enough to care for myself, much less another pet. It seems that when life throws you curves you must turn the wheel and follow the road. There really is no other choice. I am still able to shop for myself, drive a car, dress myself, etc. My brain still functions normally or I wouldn't be able to write this. I do sometimes have a memory loss so I write everything important in a book.

Well, it seems I forgot to follow the road that held my destination and missed one of those curves. My plans for enjoying my freedom flew out the window, when a neighbor asked if I would help foster a kitten. It was love at first sight. She was a beautiful black, white, and orange, calico kitten only two weeks old. I named her Calista, which I later found out means, most beautiful. Unfortunately, she died within two days. I was devastated. I had her cremated and now have this tiny box with her ashes, next to my husbands ashes on my night table. I cried for two days straight. I had such an instant connection to her. I still cry every time I think of her. I swore, NO MORE PETS!

Two days later, my same neighbor showed me a picture of the rest of the litter. They had just found three more abandoned kittens in the woods. NO,NO, NO! That is what by brain told me but my heart said YES, YES, YES!

Needless to say I now became a foster parent to three kittens. I named them Avery, Amber, and Ashley. Feeding one kitten every two hours was bad enough, but feeding three kittens every two hours was like going to the dentist and having a tooth pulled with no novocaine. Fortunately, I did not have the bond with them that I had with Calista.

Since they were abandoned at such a young age they did not have that suckle instinct. Even with help from my neighbor Carolyn and her daughter Kara, Avery and Ashley passed away within the week. Afraid for Amber's life I took her to the Care Center. When they asked me what his name was it took me a moment to understand the question. The only boy name I could think of was Tapioca. Tapioca was my daughter's cat when she was still in school. He was an orange and white tabby. My cat was an orange and cream tabby. Tapioca, or Tappy for short, seemed to fit.I told the vet about his siblings passing and was concerned for his health.

When I spoke to the doctor she showed me how to tell the difference between a male and a female cat. He had a few fleas and she told me to bathe him in Dawn. Dawn apparently kills fleas. Good to know. After examining him, she said he was 3 weeks old which made his birthday around October eighth. He was also strong and healthy. I had nothing to worry about.

Since he wasn't litter box trained yet, he would need a bath several times a day. Before each feeding he got a bath, and his face washed afterward.Two weeks later he got his big boy litter box, And took to it like he was doing it all his life. Thank Heavens he no longer needed a bath every few hours.

I soon discovered my kitten had a dual personality. He is now named Tapioca Lucifer. He must be bi-polar, His personality changes instantly, from my sweet, loving Tapioca, to Lucifer the devil's spawn. My arms, ankles, and feet are testament for this addition to his name.

He is now 12 weeks old, and hasn't calmed down. Lucifer is now his official name. His favorite past time, besides biting me, is playing in the sink. As soon as I run the water, he jumps on the counter, and crawls into the sink. He is a water baby. I had to put him in time out so I could write this, or he would be confiscating my keyboard with dripping wet paws.. Hopefully in the near future I will stop being his favorite chew toy. Well, enough for now more stories to follow.