Ruby [redux]

Zoë says: Little Ruby, was the only kitten in the litter of three that hadn’t been bought. The other tabby male had already been bought when we got Frank. When we kept visiting Frank, my mum and dad still loved the little black kitten that was ever so shy -- they picked her up first and held her in their arms, rather than picking up Frank who was ours. Every time we came back from visiting them, Dad would say, “The little black female will be the best out of the litter. She won’t be the wanderer because she’s so shy.” About the third time that we visited the three, he turned round to my mum and surprised us both by suggesting that we get Ruby too. He was always against getting two, especially when I asked if we could adopt two kittens from the local adoption center. Mum was overjoyed, and we indeed did get the shy little black kitten with scattered white and grey hairs.

Now that we had named one kitten, we just couldn’t decide on what to call the second. Dad sat on the computer reading out silly names, but we knew we had to name her something slightly unusual, just as Frank’s name was. I really liked the name Poppy. Dad suggested Bennie to make the name of the chain restaurant Frankie and Bennie’s. Mum suggested the name Ruby, because my Grandma Ruby was married to my late grandad Frank.

Ruby seemed the youngest of the three when we first met her because she was the less developed than Frank and the tabby. She was very, very shy and hated it when people picked her up. Yet when we brought her home with Frank, she was the complete opposite. It was like Frank and Ruby had swapped personalities. Ruby was so confident and Frank was so nervous.

Now, she is the little mischievous girl with a big character, for such a little kitten. She likes to steal things (unlike Frank, who FINDS things) such as cotton buds (Q-tips for you Americans!) and makeup. When we look back on how shy she was before we bought her, with her evil, cheeky personality, we think she acted like a little sweet, innocent girl so she could come home with us. She pushes her luck and she maybe the “devil child” as we call her, but she brings the humour out of the two -- like getting her head stuck in a Quavers crisp packet, and running around backwards trying to get her head out. Ruby will always do something naughty first, and Frank will copy her. I’m really glad we got Ruby too, because she and Frank keep each other company. I always wonder how Frank would have been if he didn’t have Ruby.