I met a shop cat yesterday. I wish I had a picture to share with you because she was the sweetest little kitty you’ve ever met with the ideal temperament for a store.

Her name is Rue and she’s a tuxedo cat with beautiful markings for a little girl. She seemed full grown but small boned.

She was curled up asleep when I first encountered her but you know I couldn’t just walk past without giving her ears a good scratch. She stretched and purred, lazily opening one eye before amping up the purr to a light buzzing noise.

She meowed when I stopped scratching so I stayed a minute longer before walking away. By then she was wide awake and followed me. After rubbing around my legs and talking to me softly, I asked to pick her up and she let me!

It was the best time as she let me hold her like a baby, stretching and reaching, kneading the air and occasionally letting out the tiniest, most satisfied little mews.

The store was not great but, like any good employee, she convinced me to reconsider leaving and stay a little longer.

All shops should have such good employees!