Blackjack

"OJ" aka Blackjack at THS  (c) Shutterbug

On November 17, I was sitting at my computer and procrastinating about work by checking evil Facebook. I have a variety of friends who are as certifiably crazy as I am about animals, and there were several postings that caught my attention and led to additional clicking. Moments later I found myself perusing the animals available for adoption at the Toronto Humane Society.

I found him in the "Special Needs" section. I don't know what it was that made me click there of all places, and I don't know what it was about him that reached out and grabbed me and wouldn't let go.

His story was short and sad. Seventeen years old, stuck in a cage at the shelter for two months since his owner died, and suffering from indeterminate health issues. He was so handsome, and we were so bereft of a male cat in the house since losing Taz.

My wife and I managed to sleep on it for one night, but the next day both admitted to our inability to get him out of our minds. Another impulsive decision was made. My wife and my house both came into my life this way, which gives a dangerous boost to my confidence in my impulses.

Friday, November 18 we raced to the THS after work, knowing the adoption centre is only open until 7:00 p.m. We arrived at 5:50, hoping that was plenty of time, but were warned at the front desk it may not be. We raced to the new "cat house" on the second floor, took a number outside the office, and waited. We met other people who were there to browse and to adopt, and everyone appeared quite shocked by our interest in this elderly guy. His age didn't phase us; he was exactly what our house has been missing.

Eventually we were seen, the paperwork was completed, a discussion was had, and a tour was given. They led us through the maze of cages to our chosen creature, embarrassingly named "OJ". Let's see, at 17 years old he would have been born in 1995, when a certain black male was in the news...ick. I don't care how old he is and how long he's had that name, he's getting a new one.

He had undergone some serious dental surgery upon arrival at the shelter, and was missing nearly all of his teeth. This caused his tongue to loll out of his mouth, and created a spectacular stream of constant drool, but his eyes were bright and clear, his coat was thick and shiny, and he was ready to get the hell out of that cage. The vet came over to caution us about his health conditions, which turned out to be nothing more than a thyroid condition and mild kidney trouble. A pill twice a day and some expensive food was all it would take to manage his care; a joke, really, after our veterinary issues up to that point. Our last cat had a thyroid condition, and I myself have a thyroid condition. Thyroid schmyroid.

The girls on staff were incredibly sweet, and stayed late to complete the paperwork that would send "OJ" to a good home. As of 7:20 p.m., he was ours.

On the way home, we threw around a few names related to the word "black" for his colouring, and the name Blackjack came to my mind. It's a casino game we love, and the name stuck. It was only much later when looking at the date that I realized it was my beloved late Uncle Jack's birthday, which made it all the more appropriate.

It took him just two days to settle into our home and start coming out of his hiding places. It took less than a week to introduce him to the dogs and have them all make peace with one another.

It took only a minute for us to love him, and know we made the right decision.

Blackjack at home  (c) Shutterbug