And I hope I can make you fall in love, too. Look at this beautiful girl!

I volunteer for a Peninsula cat rescue group, Humanimal Connection. I'm on call to feed the cats and kittens who are up for adoption at the local pet store. (Lemme give a shout-out here to the Redwood City Petco and San Mateo Feed and Pet, both of whom are so generous in support of Humanimal!)

This morning I went in to feed the latest batch of adoptables their breakfasts. And there, again, was Cricket.

Cricket's been on display at that store for so long now. Her two babies were adopted out; she's the last of her family. And there she sits. I was so dismayed to see her still there!

Cricket's got two strikes against her: she's a black cat; and the cats in the other cages are usually tiny adorable kittens.

Black cats are always last to be adopted. So are older cats. Well, she's both, and everyone's overlooking this fabulous animal. Since I first saw her there, a dozen or so little ones from nearby cages have found loving homes. And there she sits.

Today this sweet girl made me laugh (I leaned down to feed the kittens in the cage below her and she kept stretching her front leg out between the bars, whacking my head), then begged to be held, and jumped into my arms when I opened the door. She purred and loved and loved and purred for some 15 minutes, clinging the whole time. She SO wants her own human being.

I've facilitated cat adoptions as far north as Sonoma County. I'll do anything to find a deserving cat a good family. If you know someone who might be interested in her, I'll meet them at Petco whenever they can make it, and I'll urge that paperwork through so fast it will blind everyone in sight.

How about you? Do you know anyone with an empty spot in their home and heart for a loving, wonderful animal? Can you spread the word? Please help me get this unfairly neglected cat into a home. She's been in one cage or another for too many months now, and it's so WRONG.

I mean, look at this face!

If you live in the immediate area, thank you for helping me in my search. If you're reading this from afar - believe me, there's a Cricket in a shelter near you. Go take a look. And bring along a dollar or two for the donation box there, okay? Thanks!