Kiko’s Story, by Walt Wilson

Looking for Her Forever Home

Meercat Meets Kiko ("I'm not too sure about this.")

Living on the streets of Sparks, Nevada where temperatures range from 25°F to 98°F depending on the season, this 1.5-year-old tuxedo cat was ready for a new life. But where could she go? For some reason only she understood, Kiko selected a second story apartment occupied by me (a retired Air Force veteran) and my resident cat Meercat. On a cold winter morning, she climbed the stairs, walked past several other doors, camped right in front of her intended target, and wouldn’t take no for an answer until I finally let her in.

A New Life Begins

When I first heard her plaintive meows and noticed my new little visitor, I went outside to say hello and she bonded with me instantly. Unsure what to do, I started by giving her food and water, then made her a little bed just outside my door. This went on for several weeks (food, water, visits, pets and purring) until she finally made her way inside. Of course, Meercat wasn’t at all happy about that but with lots of patience, I was able to keep them from hurting each other and we eventually formed a new little family.

Lost and Found (Again)

Did Kiko have a chip and someone who was missing her? Had she already been spayed? It was time to get into the carrier and head for the local animal shelter to find out. And everything went smoothly at first, until it didn’t. 

As I was opening the car door to take her in, she somehow escaped, shooting across a busy parking lot and darting out of sight. I immediately chased after her, calling her name and searching for her until it was almost dark. Worried for her safety and so sad that I had lost her, I was about to give up and drive back home when she suddenly tore back across the parking lot and jumped into my lap as if to say, “Whoa, hold on there, you’re not leaving me behind!” This little cat was full of surprises!

A New Chapter

Back home and living the good life, both cats were pampered, well fed, and happy (perhaps too well fed as Meercat was already a very large cat and Kiko was getting pretty chubby herself). Each had a soft leash and enjoyed sitting on my balcony or going outside for some fresh air several times a day. Then during a cold winter night in February, Kiko presented me with another surprise – she had given birth to three kittens while I’d been sleeping. Yikes!

Now I had five cats in my very small apartment. And this was completely unexpected because the shelter had found her chip and said that she was most likely spayed by her previous owner. Best laid plans …

Happy Endings

Still, all’s well that ends well. Kiko turned out to be a wonderful cat mom and she got great support from her extended family. Even Meercat jumped in when needed, helping to keep the kittens out of trouble and even grooming them on occasion. The kittens thrived and were all spayed, vaccinated, and chipped, with one moving into a forever homes in our same apartment complex and Kiko, Tic, and OB staying with me.

It’s very special when your furry friend has picked you as their person. It creates a special bond that only those lucky enough to have experienced can appreciate.

Wise beyond her years, this smart little cat certainly made a great choice.