After being a lurker for, oh 3 or 4 months, I am finally introducing myself and my little fuzzy butt Ginger. I am 22 and just graduated college. Anyway - on to how I got Gingercat. When I graduated college in May 2004, I KNEW that I would want a pet to keep me company because I was living totally on my own in a 1 bedroom apartment. I originally wanted a dog, but decided that a cat would be a better companion in an apartment without a yard. In Memphis, there is a wonderful cat shelter called the House of Mews, which is where I went to get my kitty cat. The House of Mews is a no-kill shelter with a network of foster homes that takes care of all kitties, including sick ones. They preach neutering and no declawing. I was going to declaw her in the front, but then I read all these horrible things about it! I had no idea it was so invasive! Poor kitties. Anyway, I had decided I was going to choose a grown-up cat because I wanted to know the personality rather than being totally in the dark with a kitten. Ginger was the first cat I came in contact with. She was standing right near the door being petted by a 3 or 4 year old girl and her mother. And she was super cute! She was playful and bouncy too. So, I looked around at the other cats, but Ginger was the one I ultimately wanted and I brought her home. She hid, of course, but I was afraid she didn't like me and that I had picked the wrong cat. Even now, she is doing more adorable and loving things with me. I love my kitty.