Pet appreciation post - this is Waiki
Waiki is basically my son.
I rescued him about a decade ago. His entire family, save one sister, was poisoned. They were strays living in an RV park in my hometown. One of my good customers, at the time, lived there and told me what was happening. I immediately rushed to pick up any survivors and dump the poison the RV park owners had put out.
His name takes some explaining. My gf at the time had a cat named Maui. Her cat was adopted by her family while she lived in Hawaii. When I rescued the kittens, I named him Waiki(ki) and his sister (Hono)Lulu. I intended them to be fosters because I was broke and living in my own mess. The name was honestly a placeholder but it stuck. I usually call him Waiki-boy, boy, Boi, or BOY.
The kittens were in rough shape. They had to be bottle fed the first week or so we had them. His sister went to a good home with a coworker, but I fell in love with this barely-a-handful-of-kitten. He was definitely underdeveloped and runty. He has always been very mischievous and has ruined more of my things than I care to remember. He is also very playful and affectionate.
My favorite thing about Waiki is his empathy. My depression has always had a habit of keeping me sad and in bed. Waiki always senses my sulking emotions and insists on being across my chest. I'm not always the most appreciative in the moment, but the endearing gesture has always lifted my spirits.
I'm so grateful to have known this turkey. I love you, Waiki-boy.
