Oh, crap, I did it again

I really did not want another cat. Believe me, I have more than enough. But lately, this incredibly sweet little calico has been coming around for breakfast when I put out food for the neighborhood feral cats. She won me over the first time I saw her when she came right up to me and let me pet her, then started chowing down. She's obviously feral, and has to be less than a year old, yet has no fear of people and loves to be petted.

I've been considering taking her in ever since our first encounter a few weeks ago, but I really, really didn't want another cat. This morning when I went out to fill up the cat food dishes on the porch, she was curled up in the kitty bed. I petted her and was alarmed at how bony and frail she was. I couldn't help it. I picked her up and took her inside. She meowed a bit, but made no attempt to scratch, bite, or try to get away.

I put her in Achilles's crate, which he never uses any more, and set her up with a bed, litter box, and food and water dishes, plus a couple of toys. I'll keep her crated until I can get her to the vet this week to make sure she doesn't have anything my other cats could catch. I'm also praying that she's not pregnant!

She is just the sweetest, prettiest little thing. She's been curled up contentedly in her kitty bed all day, getting up occasionally to bat her toys around, have a bite to eat, and use the litter box. I've been checking on her periodically and she loves it when I open the crate door to pet her for awhile. The other cats and Achilles are curious, and have been hanging around the crate getting acquainted with her.

She's very frail, but I'm hoping it's just from malnutrition and that she isn't sick. With any luck, I'll just fatten her up on some good kitty food and she'll be fine.

Oh, and I've named her Cashmere.