How HellKitten in a Box Came to Live with Aggie and Wally and their Dad

Caturday, June 16, dawned bright and clear.  The Human and Aggie and Wally's Dad set out happily and hopefully at 9:00 a.m. It was the purrfect day for a run up to Sacramento to collect New Kitten (a little waif who had obviously chosen the right doorstep to mew pitifully upon). 

Because who lived there but . . .

the Human's dear college friend, Patty (r.), and her longtime partner, Annie. Their last name is evidently "sucker" and HellKitten knew it.

The Human and A&W's Dad had even brought flowers for the Foster Moms:

The first meeting could not have gone better, even though HellKitten 

was still sporting the Hoodie of Shame from her LadyGardenectomy the previous week:

A delicious lunch was consumed and soon it was time to head off to HK's new home in sunny San Francisco! All of HK's new possessions (Sparky the Dog was not among them) were ready to be packed up . . .

. . . the empty PTU was ready to be filled:

(Sparky wasn't too sad about saying good-bye.)

And off they went for a quick drive back to S.F.

Or so they thought.

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *     *    * 

For about 35 miles, it was all good, breezing down I-80. HellKitten in a Box could not have been more well-behaved or endearing, and although it was about 140° outside, the car's a/c was humming and the Humans were feeling smug about how well the Kitten Acquisition Trip was going.

Then, suddenly: Klunk! klunk! and klunk again!

The dash lit up like a Christmas tree and the happy trip turned into HellKitten Visits the Bates Motel.

A&W's Dad did a masterful job of maneuvering the car off the freeway into the thriving metropolis of Fairfield, but from there the day devolved into chaos. AAA could tow everyone to San Francisco, No they couldn't, Maybe they could, Yes, No. Who knows?

Meanwhile, HellKitten was panting in distress from fear and loud traffic noise and the heat. 

The Human looked up and Lo! an Oasis in the Sahara: Motel 6!

Yes, it was a little decrepit, yes the clientele looked a little shady.

But still:  Air conditioning! Water! Ice! Liberation from the PTU!

A room was obtained and joy reigned once again. . .at least temporarily.

BTW, can you tell HellKitten is a "Hemingway Cat"?

Just look at those extra toes!

(Also: Isn't it special that Motel 6 has it's own bedspread line?)

After tearing apart significant quantities of Human skin, ripping the eyeglasses right off her new Dad's face, and putting the bitey on every available appendage, HellKitten was ready for a Time Out while the Humans made one frantic phone call after another.

In between calls, and a delicious cheese-sandwich dinner from the gas station next door, the Humans played with HellKitten who exhibited no ill effects from the day's adventures. The same could not be said for the Humans, however.

Eventually, the Cavalry arrived in force and HellKitten, the Human, Aggie and Wally's Dad and the gravely wounded car were all conveyed back to San Francisco. Since it was after midnight, the Human failed to document in photographs HellKitten's arrival at her new furever home. (It must be noted however, that Big Boy Wally bolted in fear after his first look at her. He's no fool, hahameow!)

Further reports pending--stay tuned!