Dixie Fix: Ginger, the Feline Alarm Clock

Ever since we rescued our cat, Ginger, from AnimalSave, I have had no need for an alarm clock. This was especially handy when I was still working, but now is less handy. Ginger wants me up at precisely 6 a.m. and believe me, if you can sleep while a determined cat is trying to get you up, you're a better person than I.

Ginger had been turned back to AnimalSave twice, and sucker that I am, I figured it was time for her "forever" home. Her first owner, an elderly woman, died of cancer and the husband returned the cat after she died. Her second adoption was with a family with young kids and she was abused by the children to the point that she was returned, again. As I carried her home, shaking and meowing in her carrier, I thought that living in a cage at AnimalSave (where she had been for several months) was worse than the cozy home we would provide.

The first 2 weeks Ginger lived under the bed, with a catbox and food and water. She rarely ventured out, but eventually she came to explore our small house. We figured it was just a matter of time before she was a contented lap cat.

That was 4 years ago. She sleeps on the bed with us now (the better to spring into action at 6 a.m.!), meows for my husband to brush her while he's reading the paper and occasionally sits within 10 feet of us. Last night was a big breakthrough -- she jumped on the couch for about 1 minute while we were both sitting there. So, it's been a long journey.

She accepted our Golden immediately, although she makes it clear she thinks he's an idiot. She looks from him to us as he's chewing on a tennis ball, a disgusted look on her face as if to say, "What in the world do you see in that fool?"

So, our tenuous peace continues. We've accepted the fact that Ginger will probably never be a lap cat, and she's accepted the fact that I am willing to spring out of bed at 6, ready to be at the cat's beck and call.

She's a beautiful girl, all fluffy white with a few orange spots and an orange striped tail. She seems to know she's pretty.

And getting up at 6 every day has its advantages, after all.