In December 2010 I came home to a surprise, two surprises, actually — a pair of kittens named Hippo and Zippo. My then-boyfriend adopted the littermates from Macy’s holiday windows after catching a glimpse and not being able to shake the image of the black and orange mottled babies. Do I wish he consulted me on making this decision? Yes. Am I still happy that he went ahead and did it? Absolutely. Zippo almost immediately became Francine, and Frannie was the hellraiser who bore a hole in every “I’m not much of a cat person’s” heart. Inquisitive and dog-like, I’ll never forget the look on her face when I popped home for a minute only to rush out — you’re leaving already? You just got here. She also loved climbing up on my shoulder and nestling in, peering down and examining my homework. Hippo was daddy’s cat, but I respect that — we were friends, not best friends. The joy they both brought us was immense. If you’re looking for a fuzzy buddy, January 1st is the final day of the 30th annual holiday windows featuring some adorable (and adoptable) cats and dogs.
If You Go:
When: Friday through Sunday, December 30 to January 1 — check site for exact times
Where: 170 O’Farrell St San Francisco, CA 94102
Cost: Free
holiday.sfspca.org
Editor’s note: Consider checking with your significant other before adopting. (pictured: Top: Hippo, Bottom: Francine)
Kasia Pawlowska loves words. A native of Poland, Kasia moved to the States when she was seven. The San Francisco State University creative writing graduate went on to write for publications like the San Francisco Bay Guardian and KQED Arts among others prior to joining the Marin Magazine staff. Topics Kasia has covered include travel, trends, mushroom hunting, an award-winning series on social media addiction and loads of other random things. When she’s not busy blogging or researching and writing articles, she’s either at home writing postcards and reading or going to shows. Recently, Kasia has been trying to branch out and diversify, ie: use different emojis. Her quest for the perfect chip is never-ending.
