Getting a pet is never an easy decision, especially when you’re in college and your pet is a kitten. Kittens can be expensive and time-consuming, and everyone knows college kids lack money and time.
I’ve had pets my entire life. Birds, snakes, dogs, cats, fish — you name it, I’ve had it. But getting a kitten was still a scary decision. I spent hours at the humane society with every cat and kitten, and I always seemed to find a flaw. I went back three times in one week before I found my perfect kitten: a one-month-old tabby with a bobtail that weighed barely a pound. After sleeping on my shoulder for an hour while visitors came in and out to look at the other kittens, I knew I wasn’t leaving without her. I told no one, paid the deposit, and went on my way, kitten in hand.
I announced to my parents that they were now proud grandparents to a kitten with the cutest picture of her, so how could they possibly be mad? After lots of deliberation, the little ball of fluff finally got a name: Nala. It means “queen,” which is quite fitting considering how spoiled she is. The first few months weren’t easy by any means. I have battle scars in the form of love bites and scratches to prove it. I spent all my summer savings from my job at an ice cream shop spoiling Nala. It gave me a sense of purpose. There was now something in my life to care for other than myself.
The transition from my house four hours away to my college apartment was yet another obstacle, but Nala adjusted perfectly. She claimed her favorite spots around the apartment, and my roommate loved her immediately (how can you not?).
She loves to steal all of my hair ties and pencils and makes biscuits next to me every single night. She may not be the best study buddy, since she eats my papers and walks across my laptop, but she definitely is the cutest study buddy. She always greets me at the door when I arrive home from a long day of classes. Even on days when I can’t seem to get out of bed and study, she gives me a reason to get up, mainly because she will meow at me if I don’t feed her on time. It may seem silly to say that a cat is my best friend, but she truly is.
Getting a kitten may not be the right choice for every college student, but it was one of my best. In just a few short months, I’ve watched a pound of fluff grow into a cat who will be by my side even after college. It almost feels like we are growing up together. As I tackle everything that college and life throw at me, she’s right there next to me making biscuits.
If you’re thinking about going out and adopting a kitten, or even if you’re not, do it. It won’t always be easy, you might get woken up to meowing, and you may lose every hair tie you’ve ever owned, but you’ll never be lonely.
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