…and this is where I’m at a loss; primarily on how to spell this little darling’s name. The first time I saw it spelled was from Karper, when he was excited to hear from his mother that this sweet and adorable little bundle of fur instantly connected with me. However, upon looking at the vet records, the name is the correct spelling of the word she was named after. So…which would you prefer, Travellar (from the writer/English major) or Traveler (the correct spelling)?
I think I’m going to stick with Travellar. It actually gives it a more personal name feeling to me than the actual spelling of the word. That, and it gives me one more thing to pick on Karper about later down the road, along with not getting a hold of me for a whole month for apparently no good reason whatsoever. That’s right, buddy! I’m never letting you live that down! MWAHAHA!
She, along with her three sisters, were named after Karper’s cousin. The others are Shenanigan, Fluffy, and Rosa! Travellar was originally considered the leader of the litter, gathering up her sisters and directing them to where she wanted to go. She also had everyone fooled into believing that she was actually a boy! I was delighted at this fact, only because when I was little, I really wanted to be a boy so bad because boys got to do ALL the cool stuff! We were kindred spirits from the start!
When we first met, Karper’s mother was telling me how skittish and squirmy she tended to be when she would take her out of the cage. However, once she was in my arms…she was calm, relaxed…completely chilled out as she laid back and examined the barn from her view point. We were baffled, and I was in complete aw! It was like love at first sight, only she never really looked at me the entire time.
I wasn’t able to pick her up for another two week, though…because a certain sister of mine decided to highjack me for painting project she had in mind. It’s not entirely completed yet…but it’s getting there.
When Mom drove me up to pick Travellar up, Karper’s mother was beaming over the good bill of health all four of the kittens received, amazed that all four were girls, and ecstatic at how Shenanigan and Fluffy warmed up to my mother. Needless to say, they were grey…which Mom has a soft spot for…and they were all purrs in her arms. In fact, we hope to pick the two of them up later this week! Yes…they managed to worm their way into her heart, which means Travellar will get to visit her sisters every so often!
Her first night at my place was…well, scary! I live in a house that’s too big for me, and all the rooms besides my own are virtually barren. Yes, there’s furniture in them…but the minimal amount that makes it livable, but not cozy. Considering that I don’t use the rooms that often as it were, I suppose there isn’t much need for the cozy aspect…but I think the vast amount of space just put the poor thing on edge. She found a hiding space atop of a bench that was beneath a table in the living room, and gave me quite the scare when I couldn’t find her after eating my dinner while I let her explore!
So, I took her up to my room, put her in a bassinet that Mom had dropped off for Calista (because she used to sleep in it at her house, but hasn’t touched it since) and let her hide for the rest of the night. And trust me, she hid in it all of the night, and anytime I was away from the room the following day. She purred out of fear and stress, and as far as I could tell, didn’t leave the bassinet all night. Come morning, I scooped her out of the hiding place and showered her with affection, cooing quietly to her and bundling her up in the warmth of my embrace. It was then she remembered why she wanted to come home with me to begin with. Ever since, she’s explored every inch of my room, and has dared to venture out of it whenever I’ve given her the opportunities to.
She likes to fall off the edge of the bed, roll around all over my lap whenever she’s feeling affectionate, lets me rub her belly while she blissfully chills out, and otherwise runs amuck chasing after the toys on the floor. Travellar eats all of her food, uses the litter box often, and comes running to me when I open the bedroom door when I get home. Despite Calista’s hot and cold temper towards me about the kitten, I am truly delighted…happy…excited…and completely in love with the little motorboat as she brightens up my day with her endless energy!
Thank you, Karper and K-Mom!
