Olivia and Noobie

Olivia and Noobie have a special relationship.

One cool evening in September when Olivia was just one month old, we went on a walk.  She was cozily tucked next to me in the Snuggli, happy and content.  The sun is setting, a slight breeze is blowing, a wonderful evening.  One block later, this loud, obnoxious cat comes trotting up to us (Olivia and I).  I seriously thought he was going to jump onto Olivia.  Frightened me a bit.  I had Chad grab the offender and carry him around.  I never thought a stray cat would let us pick him up, but he did.  He just laid there content and purring with Chad as we walked around.  We went to a few houses in the area and asked if anyone knew to whom he belonged.  No one did.

What could we do?  He was declawed in the front, so we didn't feel comfortable letting him just wander around.  Evil opposums might get him! (Later we found out, Noobie could hold his own if needed.)  We took him home and tucked him into our utility room where he proceeded to voice his opinions constantly. 

I was teaching at the time and let all of my students and fellow faculty members know of the cat we had found.  Surely he belonged to someone.  Surely they would be missing him and looking for him.  We called the vets.  We called the police.  We called the local pound.  We put up signs.  A month later, we decided that no one was going to come get him.  He was ours, and we named him Noobie . . .  because he was our new cat.  I know, original.

I firmly believe that Noobie wanted to be with Olivia.  That he was supposed to find us.  Corny, but those two are connected somehow.  Before Olivia outgrew her infant carseat, she used to take naps in it.  She would be laying there, covered up, asleep, and Noobie would climb up and sleep on her lap.  Amazing!  None of the other cats gave much thought to her.  When she was older, and we were living in Coffeyville, I would often find Noobie in Olivia's crib with her at naptime. 

Nowadays, Noobie sleeps with Olivia almost every night.  She has a bunkbed, and he climbs the ladder to get up to her.  Before I go to bed, I go in and take him out (she sleeps with her door shut).  He's either on her pillow or next to her chest.  And when she spends the night somewhere or if he doesn't get it before she goes to bed, he will often stand in front of her door and meow.  Very loudly.  He misses her.