After watching the race for a few hours, we decided to walk across the park to see some of the finish area.  While we were walking, we spotted the horse trailers for the NYPD mounted unit.  Something you don’t see every day in the middle of Central Park.  I chose this as my daily photo today because it’s not your typical marathon shot.

If you ever get a chance to visit NYC one the first Sunday of November, DO IT!  There’s no better time to experience the city.

Rufus is very laid back and easygoing and he LOVES attention. It’s one of the first things I noticed about him at the shelter. He was a stray kitty in Brooklyn who decided to follow someone home one day. That someone couldn’t resist those big, sweet eyes of his and very generously took him in and brought him to the shelter, where he charmed his way into the hearts of many of the shelter volunteers. When I was certain that I wanted to adopt a second cat, I headed to the shelter to visit the many wonderful cats there and to decide on the right cat to bring home with me. I visited the shelter with a few friends of mine who were visiting from out of town. There were so many wonderful kitties there, but as soon as I spotted Rufus, I was certain that he was the one for me. I wasn’t in a position to adopt him and bring him home that night, so I went home and hoped that he’d still be there in a few days after my guests headed home and things got back to normal at home. Sure enough, when I went back a few days later, Rufus was still there; it was just meant to be. One of the adoption specialists opened his cage and when I reached in to pet him, he immediately rolled onto his back and began to purr. I petted his belly for a bit and when we were both comfortable with one another, I filled out the paperwork, paid the adoption fee and and agreed to come back first thing the next morning to bring him home with me.

I took care of everything that need to be set up at home (setting up a litter box and food and water dishes and a bed for him in his own room, where he could settle in and he and Stella could take a few days getting used to each other), then I grabbed my SleepyPod and headed to the shelter to bring him home. The volunteers were all a little sad to see him go, but happy that he’d finally be out of his tiny cage and have his “forever home”. I brought him home on the subway and he meowed his little lungs out the entire time. He also commanded a lot of “awwwwwwws” from passersby. It took a while for Rufus and Stella to get used to each other, in fact, it’s a process they’re still working through, but they have their moments when they curl up next to each other and act like the best of friends. Then, of course, they usually proceed to bite, punch, bunnykick and tackle each other. Typical sibling behavior, really.

Rufus is extremely curious and must investigate every single thing in the apartment. And then re-investigate it. He follows me around everywhere and talks his little heart out to me. He sleeps by my feet and then crawls on my head every morning around 5:00. He’s jumped onto my keyboard no less than four times since I began typing this and he’s knocked lamps, vases, candlesticks and bowls off of every surface they’ve been placed upon. He knocked a glass off of the dishrack in the kitchen the other night while I was sleeping and then proceeded to bat around the broken chunks (I never said he was smart). He is constantly trying to engage Stella in wrestling matches and games of tag, but she’s usually not terribly interested. He loves to sit in the windowsill and chirp at the birds who hang out on the fire escape. He also loves furry and feathery cat toys, especially if they are small enough to bat under the fridge. And he LOVES to gnaw on cardboard. Every time I receive a package in the mail, he is nearly beside himself with glee with the possibility of sinking his teeth into the shipping box.

I love this little guy more than I can express and I wanted to introduce him to you. Internet, meet Rufus.