The Day I Met Flounder: How a Tiny, Screaming Tornado Changed My Life

As a former vet tech and lifelong animal behaviorist, I’ve met a lot of animals. My phone rings any time there’s a high-energy pet being surrendered due to behavioral issues. Working in vet clinics, I was usually the one called in when a furry hurricane needed someone who understood the storm.

Here's the catch: I'm allergic to cats. At the time, I had just one pet—Fiki, my hypoallergenic current cat. Yes, you read that right. Hypoallergenic. I used to think that was a myth too, but turns out, not all cats make me sneeze and wheeze. Fiki never triggered my allergies, which was a miracle in itself.

After I left the vet industry, I started a few seasonal businesses in the bustling vacation town of Hilton Head which meant summers were chaos. So when I got a call early in the season about a Bengal cat named Roxy, I was torn. She was beautiful, spirited, and in need of a home. Her elderly owners couldn’t keep up with her energy anymore, and I knew I could help her. But it wasn’t the right time for a new cat. Introducing two adult cats also worried me. Between the nonstop summer season and knowing I wouldn’t be home enough to help her transition and train, I had to say no. I thought about her for months and it broke my heart.

Then, October rolled around. The season was slowing, and I got another call. This time, about a tiny kitten—just a baby. Not a real Bengal, but maybe hypoallergenic? Maybe a fish? Fish are hypoallergenic, right? Could be a velociraptor - also hypoallergenic. Good idea, right?

What happened the day I met my kitten?

Enter Eliza. Or as she’s now known, Flounder Meatloaf.

The day I met my kitten was different from every other day. She was a wild thing. She needed training. She needed a lot of training, like not just a scratching post and a wand toy. She had medical issues. She screamed constantly. She tried to claw my face off. She tried to escape 14 times the day I met her. I had never been more in love.

She was only 2.5 pounds but full of unrelenting, firecracker energy. That first night, I realized something strange: she didn’t sleep. Not a nap, not a doze. Just curtain-scaling, pants-climbing, dinosaur-noise-making chaos. My instincts told me she was something special—and probably not a real kitten.

As she healed, she only got spicier. Her energy turned nuclear from the day I met my kitten. And I couldn’t imagine my life without this new family member.

Almost four years after the day I met my kitten, Flounder is the best decision I’ve ever made. She’s not just a cat—she’s a ballerina, a button-talker, a pianist, a paddleboarder, a swimmer, a painter, and an unapologetic Pocahontas fan. Her beloved Mouse Toy still tags along too, nearly as iconic as she is.

Sometimes people say, “everything happens for a reason.” I used to think that was just something people said to make sense of chaos. But then I met Flounder. And now? I believe it.

She wasn’t the pet I expected—but she’s exactly the one I needed. The day I met my kitten was the best day of my life!

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my kitten hides from me in their bedding?

If your new kitten hides, let them have some time to get used to things. Make a quiet and safe room for your kitten, maybe a spare bedroom. Do not give too much attention at first. Let them introduce themselves to you at their own pace. Use toys or treats to help your kitten come out and play. Be patient. Over time, your kitten will start to trust you and feel more at home with you.

How long does it take for a kitten to adjust to a new home?

Usually, a kitten will need a few days or up to a few weeks to get used to a new home. Things like the kitten’s personality, what the kitten has gone through before, and the place you bring the kitten to now, all play a role in how fast they settle in. Be patient with the kitten and give support while the kitten makes this change.

How can I tell if my kitten is healthy and happy?

To see if your kitten is healthy and happy, look at how they act. A kitten that likes to play, eats well, has clean fur, and uses the litter box often is likely to be doing well. You should also check their weight and how much energy they have. If you see fast changes in these, it could mean your kitten has health problems.

When can I introduce my kitten to other pets in the house?

Introduce your kitten to an older cat after making sure they feel good in the new environment. At first, keep them in separate rooms until they get used to each other's smells. Give them each their own food bowl and water bowl and bedding. Most of the time, this can be done after about one week, giving the new kitten access to different areas of the home gradually. At this time, watch how they all act very carefully, monitoring for negative interactions. Let them meet slowly to lower stress and help all the pets get along well together.