The Ballad of Chingu and Mandu

 

Chingu (tuxedo) and Mandu (cream with brown spots) taking a much needed rest after knocking something else over.

I've been working at the local Humane Society for over a year now, but I was one of the only people there who didn't have any pets.  Living with my Dad it would have been too much for him -- I was convinced that during one of his 3 a.m. ramblings to nowhere he might have kicked a dog or cat, or simply just opened the front door and let them out to play with the hungry local foxes and coyotes.

Anyhow, we've moved my Dad into professional care and not long after that I adopted these two knuckle-heads (technically I'm fostering until they're fixed, then will formally adopt).  The tuxedo is Chingu, a boy.  His name in Korean is "friend."  I didn't stop there, so his sister (not biological, but I'd challenge anyone to tell the difference) is Mandu, or "dumpling."

I've hesitated to say more about these two gorgeous creatures for a simple reason.  Chingu was going to get put down due to some health issues.  As horrible as that sounds, it's just a fact that in an Animal Shelter setting issues of "adoptability" and ease of re-homing are always present.

It's been about a month now and while I don't want to jinx anything, Chingu is improving.  He's objectively doing better and growing all on his own.  He had issues with his bowels.  This might mean he'll later have the very common cat issue of bad kidneys.  But for now he's lively and playful and makes me smile even when I'm scolding him for trying to light the house on fire.

And let's not give short shrift to Mandu -- she's also growing, has a beautiful coat and eyes, and will purr on first or second brush of a human hand.  She's actually more shy than Chingu, even though as far as we can tell she's always been perfectly healthy.

I love these two, and in a few months we'll be driving across the country together once my Dad's house is ready for resale.