Happy Birthday, Rebecca

Three years ago there was a dark and mysterious visitor to my apartment. Not really thinking about the consequences, I invited this strange visitor into my home and fell in love.

It was three years ago this month that I adopted Rebecca Anne -- the silly stray who somehow knew that I was just the right sap to turn those big green eyes on and guarantee a plush living for the rest of her days. As she lays curled into my side while I play on the computer, I'm reminded of some of her funnier quirks.

First of all, as most know, Rebecca isn't much of a cat. Oh, she looks like a cat. All black fur and twitchy tail and ever-alert ears. But in temperament and behavior she more often resembles either a dog or chicken.

Rebecca is easily frightened and runs for cover whenever things aren't as they should be in her home. Strange visitors will have her hiding in the basement ceiling for hours sometimes. She's warmed up to most of my friends and only takes a few moments to warm to their presence now -- but there are some who don't even believe that I have a cat as they've yet to make her acquaintance.

When she does warm up to you, however, Beccer's canine qualities come out to play. She's quite demanding in her bids for attention -- butting your hand with her head in attempts to get some petting. She tends to follow me around the house in dog fashion. I'm usually greeted at the door whenever I come home. She comes when called. She sleeps at the foot of the bed (unless it's particularly cold and then she likes to cuddle). When I return from a significant amount of time away she seems to forget that cats are supposed to play hard to get and doesn't leave my side for at least a day for fear that I'll leave again all-too-soon. And, lately, she's taken to this weird habit with her water dish of moving it from one side of the kitchen to another throughout the day -- an action I've only seen previously from my niece when she visits. And, when given the chance, she likes to drink out of the toilet.

Despite Rebecca's animal uncertainties I can't help but love her. At times, I'll admit, I'm not as appreciative of her attentive and loyal ways as I should be (if I wanted to be followed around all the time I'd have gotten a dog), but she's an important part of our family and I don't know what I'd do without her little black presence in my life.