Feelin' Broody

...but not in the way you might think. I've spent enough time around kids lately to realize that there is still no tugging on the old heartstrings when it comes to rugrats & anklebiters. They're fascinating, funny, complex, moody little packages, and I love the ones I spend time with. (and not just because their parents are paying me to do childcare.) But I don't want one at the moment.
No, tonight I was just reading someone's blog and they had an ad for some animal cruelty fund (I believe the fund was against animal cruelty, just to clarify.) And I saw the little photo of a baby grey tabby and my heartstrings were yanked and I thought I want a kitten. I want to smell its clean fur and feel its little head rubbing against my chin and stare into its eyes and feel that inter-species connection. And feel it purring on my lap. But I can't technically afford a chocolate bar right now, so I think a kitten is out. Anyway, I don't like the idea of keeping animals inside, and I'd have to, as we're on the 3rd floor. I know it makes 'em live longer, yadayadayada, but they want to be outside, dammit. Why should I prolong a cat's life by making it sad?