Adopting a Little Patience

Reaching out to me with her outstretched paw from a steel animal shelter cage, the bewitching black kitten gazed at me longingly. Immediately, I asked the shelter volunteer to see her up close. As I held this pretty kitty with wide green eyes, she nipped at my arm. At that moment, I knew it was love at first bite. 

Princess Purrfect slept quietly in her new cat carrier as I processed her adoption paperwork and purchased supplies. Having just returned from a spiritual retreat in Sedona, I felt that caring for this tiny pet would be a meaningful way to continue my renewed journey of personal growth.

It was the beginning of a journey, alright. Little Hissy Missy quickly revealed another side of her personality when we entered my car to drive home. Meowing loudly while using the carrier as a litter box, she expressed her severe displeasure – not precisely the serene experience I had envisioned a few moments earlier. 

“Patience!” I exclaimed. “We’ll be home soon.”

Patience – there’s a good name. Maybe it will inspire her to acquire the virtue I hoped. No such luck — Patience yowled during the entire 15-minute ride home, which dragged like an eternity.  

Once home, Patience raced out of her cat carrier when I opened it. Curious Cat explored her new home in awe for nearly an hour, studying all the sights, sounds, and scents. Meanwhile, I set up her food station and litter box. 

A bit tired from all the kitty drama, I rested on my family room couch to relax. Within moments, Patience jumped up to greet me. She snuggled on my tummy as we enjoyed a nice catnap together. Now, this was the nurturing connection I sought. 

Hours later, I awoke to my quiet kitten’s soft purrs. Thinking she might be hungry, I carried Patience to her food dish. Choosing one of the ten free food samples provided by the shelter, I filled her bowl, adding a few treats. After a brief sniff, Finicky Feline walked away with her nose and tail in the air. Then, I quickly oriented her to her new litter box. Again, she walked away. 

“You’re trying my patience,” I cried with exasperation as Crafty Kitten ran off to tug on the sheer curtains lining the patio door. Upon seeing a robin outside, she pawed the door desperately. In my efforts to distract Bratty Catty, she gave me a mild scratch before she ran and hid. I then changed her name to Little Patience as I prepared a cup of soothing lavender tea. 

When Little Patience emerged a few hours later, I offered her four more of the ten free food samples the shelter provided. Refusing all of them, she curled up and fell asleep in a box on the floor. Maybe the little one has no appetite now, I hoped while turning in for bed that night.

Demanding Damsel pounced on me impatiently at the crack of dawn – one of the joys of my new journey. Slowly, I stumbled to her food dish to offer another cat food sample, then another, then another. Each time, Her Little Highness meowed with disgust. I grew worried when she refused the last variety of kitty food sprinkled with three different treats. Out of sheer desperation, I opened a can of tuna fish. No loyal subject of the Royal Catdom can resist that.

Eureka!! Little Patience finally showed interest. She lapped every bit of juice without eating a single flake of tuna. Then I remembered receiving a carton of cat milk from the shelter. Ravenous Rascal lapped my first pouring with enthusiasm, demanding an encore tout de suite. I happily complied. After she finished the entire carton, I decided to stock up at the local grocery store as I considered changing her name to No Patience.

Preparing for her vet visit the next day, I must have caught Little Patience off guard because I effortlessly swooped her into the cat carrier. After fumbling with the latch, I brought her into the front seat of my car. Somehow, Cagey Kitty managed to release the latch, jump out of the car, and head toward the outside garage door. I attempted to stop her from running outside by closing the door, but she narrowly escaped. When I opened the door again, the little kitten was nowhere to be seen.

“Patience,” I called. No answer. “Little Patience.” I cried. No answer. “Kitty.” At the vet’s suggestion, I enticed Hidey Cat with treats and toys as I combed every inch of my property. In the distance, I could see the busy highway. Feeling hopeless, I canceled her vet appointment. 

As sunset approached, I repeatedly called Little Patience, promising she wouldn’t have to go to the vet. I knocked on neighbors’ doors to alert them of my missing cat. After two hours of futile search, I realized how deeply my attachment to her had grown in just three days. 

Horrifying images of my poor kitten being hit by a car or attacked by a coyote flooded my mind as I paced up and down my driveway. In desperation, I scanned every inch of my yard, hoping to see some sign of Lost Little One. Tears welled in my eyes as the sky turned dark, fading my last remnants of hope. As the third hour of search drew to a close, I started to accept the likely reality that I would never see Little Patience again. I decided to make one last sweep around my yard before giving up the search.

Exhausted from my efforts, I stumbled past a neighbor’s bush when I heard a faint noise. At first, I thought my imagination was playing tricks on me. But I stood very still and perked my ear. Then I heard another quiet noise behind the bush. As I moved closer, I detected a distinct meow and pushed aside the branches of the bush.

Behind the brush sat Little Patience!! Miracle Meow Mistress greeted me with enthusiasm. As tears of joy stung my eyes, I eagerly reached for my precious baby and hugged her for several minutes. Truly, this reunion surpassed any in my life. She purred like a lawnmower as I gently stroked her ears and chin, while I cherished every moment of this encounter.

As I continued to hold Little Patience in my arms and carry her into my home, I realized the true purpose of my personal growth journey to nurture a kitten. It was to teach me Patience. Why should a cat learn to be patient? And teach me, she did. When Little Patience tried my patience, I called her name, reminding myself of my purposeful journey. Although we didn’t live patiently ever after, we patiently formed a deep, loving bond that will endure in my heart forever after.  

 Unpublished Work © 2025 Jessica Loftus