First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

It was July 24, 2007. Many of you refer to it as "Gotcha Day." It's my father's birthday and is the day Gabby picked me.

I never got around to sharing specifics of Gabby picking me. So, I set a goal to publish this post on Christmas Eve in honor of the past five months. Computer problems prevented me from meeting that deadline. Anyway, here it is now.

Earlier in the day on July 24 I attended a meeting at a different office location. When I pulled into the parking lot at my office, the beast was spotted. I did feel a panic as I sat in the car. Then said a soft prayer, "Dear Lord, please let this monster pick me."

Usually a feline wandering a work parking lot will quickly dash when approached by a big ol' human. They don't run away when they want to pick you, though. My Eponine walked right up to me in a work parking lot back in 1990.

I asked the creature to follow me into the building. "C'mon sweetheart, come along." Noticing she was starved, I took her right to the breakroom/kitchen and found her something to nibble on. Then I let her roam the building. I remember a co-worker saying, "I think there's a cat in here."

About three hours later when it was time for me to leave, I said, "Let's go if you want to come with me." The little monster very loudly said "Meow." I opened the door and instructed that she either needed to follow me or be on her merry way. "Meow." At one point she started to walk a different direction. I hollered, "this is your last chance!" "Meow," she said and continued her march toward me.

She walked to the car but then opted to go under it instead of going in the open passenger door. It was only then did I pick up her tiny frame and put her in the car. Meowing all the way along the 30-minute commute, she hopped around the passenger seat and me and stared out the window at the world passing by. Having never discarded the remains of Eponine's food, the beast was able to have her first meal within minutes of arriving at Cowboy's.

I made her comfortable and secluded her in the laundry room that first night. I took her right to Ep's vet on the way to work the next morning. When he called that afternoon, he went on and on with the results of his examination. I told him I only had one question ... "Is she going to die?" "No" he said.

My prayers were answered. I knew right then. The Good Lord gave me the reassurances I needed. And just like that, Gabrielle picked. She is such a gift.

She's not even recognizable from these pics from our first day. She was so bony and sad looking. But even then she was still loving, talkative and a sweetheart. Those things won't ever change, I think.

Dec. 20 was two years ago that Eponine had to leave me. I still miss her. There's no denying that. But I am certain she was ready for me to get picked.