It’s less clear when Sprite was adopted – however it had to be well before early-mid 2004 when I left Sidney street, but well after I brought Punky in – she had two litters of kittens with Sprite between her and him becoming sexually mature. Sprite is younger than Punky as well, and was likely born in late 2002. I believe I brought him home in early to mid 2003.
I remember the circumstances well, I was actually visiting my best friend at his new apartment and his landlord dropped by and freaked out that he had a cat and said he couldn’t have him there due to his own allergies. Not wanting any lost kittens on my conscience, I agreed to take him in temporarily. Little did I know that he’d become a permanent fixture in my life for over 20 years. I’m writing this in June 2023, and he’s still around, shouting at me for dinner.
The day I brought him home, I had to carry his chonky self in a heavy wooden crate, all the way down Bridge street to Sidney. It was arduous, but very worthwhile. He and Punky hated each other as cats do when they first met, but warmed up, perhaps a little too well, over time – having had 6 babies together, some of whom went on to be adopted out to various random locations including a local factory.