So, an extra post for regulars.
A small kitten has made its choice. It may be a foolhardy choice; it may be hasty and not as well researched as it could be. Kittens are not renowned for their background character checks.
Although it may have got on the phone the moment we left through the front door to engage a private detective.
The kitten who chose us was not tortoiseshell, as out old cat was, or indeed ginger, as were the majority of the small mewing souls taking their leisure in some leafy backwater of the Berkshire countryside.
It is black with the promise of many colours. A scientific truth demonstrated on four small clawed paws with the brightest eyes you can imagine. The eyes are currently shining blue sapphires in a sea of rumpled black energy.
We turned up at seven sharp, and by five past there was this kamikaze creature attempting to shred my camera bag.
I sat down, and the kitten started to scale me, using nature’s krampons. It was accustomed to me and I cannot for the life of me remember how we got acquainted.
And so now a fierce debate over the name has erupted. A healthy debate, anyway. Names that have flown through the air this evening include Tom, Dick Fosbury, Plato and Clive.
I am not certain what this small firebrand will be called. But one thing is certain: it was made for the Shrewsday Household.
Kate Shrewsday 
Welcome nameless kitty! 🙂
The beginning of an era, IE…
The sweetest eyes! How could you deny it a thing? (And please, call him Clive. My friend Clive over in Peterborough would DIE. Although I call him Olive, but that’s another story……..)
Our only obstacle is that Maddie is dead set against Clive, Says it’s too ordinary . It’s my favourite, though.
Awwwww!
😀
Oh, what a beauty this little guy is. Those blue, blue eyes . . . makes me think of Frank Sinatra, aka Ol’ Blue Eyes. Give this little kitty a cuddle from the States.
Frank. A good name….thanks, Penny 🙂
Very very cute! I’m envious.
By the way, Bramshill Park is open on 9th September if you want to visit.
Ooooh, thanks, Myfanwy, must put it on my calendar.
He is adorable! I suppose he really should have a proper British name; that names such as Cinder, Inky, Shadow (all felines from my past) or Darth are too commonplace, but I couldn’t resist a suggestion or two. 🙂 My guess is he’ll be fully in command of your household and its occupants in no time at all. 🙂
Those are fabulous suggestions, Karen! I shall put them to the family immediately.
Clive, as in Owen, my favorite actor? Definitely!
I’ve been ruthlessly deleting everything from my inbox without reading lately, as an end-of-term survival strategy while dealing with student papers, but I’m so glad I broke down and read this one–who could resist a title like “Operation Fluffy Kitten”–it’s a delight to be back in your world for a moment, where phrases like “nature’s krampons” salt and pepper the prose so perfectly.
This kitten’s attributes remind me a whole lot of yours!
I certainly carry the same half-crazed expression, Barbara.
Yes, I foresee that this little kittie has enough strength of character to take on the Shrewsday household any day of the week. The eyes are like beautiful for-get-me-nots.
They are, aren’t they? I suppose they’ll turn green eventually. But I’m glad I got that picture.
Gorgeous!
Tom’s a good name, if I do say so myself! 😉
Or Shawn! 😀
Tom’s the only one we can all agree on, Tom!
You are amazing what a sweet storie I have 4 cats I rescued from a local pound and one of them was a tortisshell she’s black and brown we call her blackie shes like no Other cat my husband thinks she was a basketball player in another life she loves playing fetch with hair ties lol tu for sharing your sweet storie
Liz
You are welcome, Liz! Your cats sound lovely.
How many weeks is this bundle? Those blue eyes suggest about 6 weeks or so?
Is this a male or female kitty? Very lovely.
We may be going with an Olympian’s name for our ginger tom….
I think they were born bout mid-July, Pseu. Which Olympian, I wonder? Pippi is such a gorgeous name…
Napoleon
Promising. That glare of domination would suggest the name is a perfect match.
Given your comment about Maddie, what were Clive of India’s other names? Friends have a beautiful black cat with golden eyes called Nera. It took me a while to settle on NotCat’s names.
I shall potter off to do my research, Isobel 🙂
Clive is a marvelous name!
If only we can bring Maddie over to our way of thinking….the other three of us are set on it….
Definitely looks like a Wizard’s Cat, all black with hints of silver from the “Big Pot”.
A familiar 🙂
Clive
Yup, my thoughts exactly.
Truly made for your household – I can see him stealing the Macauley thunder!
From the mountaineering introduction, how about Edmond or Tensing?
Edmond sounds wonderful. Shall bring that forward at next meeting.
The risk is that he grows up to be the most unclimbingest cat out. However, you could then mention that he gained fame in an early climbing exploit …
😀 Phew, Col, you negotiated that one with alacrity…thank you.
Oooh he’s gorgeous. Those eyes!! Nice one Kate. I’m sure he’s part of the family already 😀 Just watch out for the crampons!!
Quite robust, they are,Jan. Ouch.
😀
Such a sweet kitten.. congratulations on your newest family member! I can’t wait to hear what you name him:D
We shall keep you posted, Barbara!
My thought for a proper name is Bartleby. No matter the name, he is an angel!
I do like Bartleby, Marylin. I do hope he has the good behaviour commensurate with being an angel.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Bluey?
Lovely!
Smudge? I’m a sucker for blue-eyed kitties. My Mousse has gorgeous big blue eyes, as did three of his predecessors. I just can’t say no to blue-eyed kitties.
Everyone likes that one, PT. Even Maddie. It has promise. Thank you.
Years ago, we rescued a kitten that looked just like your little guy. At first, we called him Topaz due to the eyes.
But, as we got to know him, he let us know that his name was Buddha ~ both because of the bodacious belly and because of a calm that went to his core (even in the midst of frenzied kittenesque activites).
Thanks for introducing us to you little guy! He’s a charmer.
Buddah sounds fab. What a lovely temperament for a cat, Nancy.
Nameless enigma… I loved the eyes. Clive and Plato are what I am tilting towards.
Me too, Jas…
Oh, even cuter than the ginger!
He is gorgeous, isn’t he, Tandy? Lets see how Mac fares with him…
Well, congratulations to all of you!
Thanks, Kathy!
I vote with the majority — not that you’re taking a poll, but this kitty sure looks like a Clive to me, too. Also when he grows up, he’ll be Clive the Cat. He’s adorable. What does Mac think of him?
So far they haven’t met, Lameadventures. That will be a whole new post, I suspect.
Looking forward to that one. Also looking forward to find out what you’ve decided to name Clive (hint hint hint)
We’re almost decided but there’s a strong vein of disapproval from the sector of the family who want to call him something cute like Tibbles.
That’s almost as depressing as the thought of Mitt Romney being the next president over here.
Beautiful, though that promise of many colors could mean a dark tortoiseshell.
The cat is allowed many names. As I had it explained to me, a much loved child has many names.
So here’s wishing you all (2 and 4 legged types) many happy years together.
Dark tortoiseshell sounds perfect to us!
Lots of names. Like the parents who names their child after the entire Liverpool football team 😀
Mine have a registered formal name, a name I use to refer to them, and one I use to call them.
That’s a lot of names, Sidey!
She is adorable, and obviously a creature with excellent taste.
I noticed some white stuff in her fur around her head, in the second pic. You could call her Dandruff 🙂
Oh those eyes! Congratulations on the gorgeous new addition to the Shrewsday household Kate 🙂
Thanks, Madhu. We have some interesting times ahead, I think.
Fun times ahead!
Absolutely!
He’s darling! Beautiful, piercing eyes!
He is a cutie, isn’t he?
Dear Kate, my suggestion for name is “Wittington.” That’s what came to me when I looked into those sapphire eyes. Peace.
What a great idea, Dee!
Oh those eyes! What a little darling…you’re in for it now! 🙂 D
I know. Smitten and sunk, Debra.
Pretty Kitty! Congrats on your new house-mate – I’m glad he chose you 🙂
Thanks Lexy. Now lets see how well the dog trains him 😀
The idea of an English cat named Clive is just too fantastic. I love it. He’s so cute!!! Congratulations on the new addition–he obviously chose well! The cramponing won’t stop, though, so always make sure to wear pants with some weight to them, otherwise you’ll have puncture wounds up and down your legs for a long time.
Weighty pants. Got it. Thanks, Weebles.
I think Macauly should have a vote on the name….
Good point. Though his main contribution, I fear, might be Woof.
That is such a cute little kitten! Guess it’s truw what they say. cats choose you!
This one certainly did, Marco 🙂
OMG, I’m in love…mesmerized by one look into those amazing eyes! Since my father’s name was Clive, I have to vote for that, although for me it’s far removed from a classic kitty name 🙂 Have fun, all of you!
Think it’s going to be Clive, Naomi. I’m winning them over, one by one.
Purrfection – wishing you all a lifetime of fabulous fun and lots of love 🙂
cute…naming a pet is so hard for you don’t wish to curse or ignore a personality to come…how abouts something from HP…albus dumbledore (a wise wizard)
Hi, I like Clive too, such a gorgeous kitten. I once knew a Turkish guy with dark hair and blue eyes a bit like that, called Ozgur
So beautiful and how lucky to be a part of your household. Our youngest daughter and her husband just adopted their 2nd kitten from a shelter – also black – and they named him “Ernest Hemingway.”
The name you select will no doubt be decided on by his personality. Best wishes to all.
Clive is very nice, as are Plato and Tom, thought the number of Toms prowling around might generate confusion, unless a modifier be added: Tom Stearns Eliot, or some such. Whatever the name, he’s a handsome devil.