Dogs of the North The Pack Sisko

There is certainly no shortage of stray and abandoned cats and kittens anywhere in North America. So when Adrian decided to expand his household by the addition of two kittens, he went first to the Humane Society of Ottawa-Carleton. This shelter had plenty of adult cats awaiting good homes. However, because cats are warm weather breeders, there was not an abundance of available kittens when he called in the dead of winter. The shelter workers advised him to call back in a few weeks, with the knowledge that, unfortunately, there would be plenty of homeless and unwanted kittens surrendered to shelters as the calendar moved toward Spring.

Sure enough, when Adrian called a few weeks later, he was informed that there was a litter of eight kittens in residence at the shelter. Six had been adopted, but there were two little gray tabbies left. With Duffy receiving reports on the other end of Adrian's cell phone, Adrian dropped what he was doing, jumped in the car and went barreling toward the Humane Society, where in a large crate, two little bundles of fur and energy waited; a boy and a girl from the same litter. Adrian stood in line, holding his breath lest someone in front of him beat him to the adoption, and walked out the door with Sisko and Leah.

Sisko is a well-built kitty. He has big bones, big paws, and a thick tail that has earned him the nickname Raccoon. (His other nickname is Trouble!!) This boy lives for a good time. He is curious and smart, always discovering something new and reveling in the best that life has to offer. He is an incredibly social cat, and likes nothing better than to be picked up and carried about in our arms. Sisko absolutely loves cuddles and will tolerate any kind of handling. His is a personality that adds new dimensions to the term "sweetheart".

His outgoing and fun loving disposition sometimes lands Sisko in hot water! For example, Adrian became concerned one time agbout the huge mouse that seemed to be stomping about in the flooring between the first and second stories of his house. When he went upstairs to investigate, he found that Sisko had removed the floor vent over the heating ducts and had crawled under the floor to explore! Sisko also loves to climb his "carpet trees" and, from the top perch, make a flying leap across the room to land on the bed at precisely that moment when one is sinking comfortably into sleep. He has been known to surprise the human occupant of the bed by crawling inside the duvet cover and making his way from the foot of the bed all the way up to your face.

Among Sisko's more creative play toys is his "SiskoMobile". The SiskoMobile is a cardboard box turned on its side. Sisko will enter through the opening, turn around and lie down with his front paws stretched out on the flap of the opening. Then one of his humans will "drive" the box around the house, sliding it along the floor while making engine noises and screeching tire sounds as we negotiate all the obstacles in our path. Sisko absolutely loves this and will look left and right (watching out for traffic) as he speeds along. Leah will get the hell out of the way whenever she sees Sisko at the wheel of his SiskoMobile! Sisko is a heck of driver and can turn his SiskoMobile on a dime and even reverse at high speeds. Sometimes, the SiskoMobile takes flight and soars about the house like a single engine kitty airplane. When the plane swoops within range of another animal in the house Sisko will reach out one paw and bop the cat or dog on the head as he flies by. It is hilarious to watch and once you stop and turn off the engine, you can hear Sisko purring with delight.

Last spring, Sisko and Leah came to Minneapolis to become acquainted with their four feline brothers, Luther, Melanchthon, Ambrose, and Grendel. Sisko has thrived on being "one of the guys". He hangs out with the other cats and enjoys the three dogs, Adam, Kate, and Daisy May. True to form, he adjusted to his (temporary) new home with enthusiasm and a sense of inquisitive adventure. His runs to the door side by side with Adam when Duffy comes home, then leaps up on the nearest chair and puts his paws on her shoulder asking to be picked up. When she uses the computer he comes flying into the room and leaps onto her lap for a ritual cuddle. And if she starts in the direction of the kitchen, he runs ahead and sits looking expectedly at the pull cord to the ceiling light. His favorite toy is the shadow it makes on the floor when mum makes it swing to and fro over his head!!

While Sisko and Leah are happy living with their mum, Adrian misses them terribly. We will both be happy when we Sisko, Leah, and the gang are all united with Kira, Adrian and Chief once and for all in Canada.

You'll love it over at Leah's page.