After the nightmare that is NJ Motor Vehicle on Saturday (my husband and I had to both renew our licenses), we had to make a stop at Petco to pick up some drops for Kelly’s ears. Around this time of year she gets ear mites, common in floppy-eared dogs. If you let the dog scratch her ears or shake her head too much, however, the ear canals can become infected, as we found out last year.
When we got to Petco, the parking lot was practically filled to capacity. I figured they had an adoption event going on but we didn’t see a sign announcing such. Once inside, we saw three cages of cats and kittens so the mystery was solved: PAWS Animal Shelter was having a cat adoption.
I went and got the ear drops and was on my way to the register when I spied my husband captivated by a gorgeous girl with soft, milky white hair and cobalt blue eyes. “Honey, you gotta come see this cat,” he said. A little history is needed here. As a kid, I always had dogs. My grandparents had dogs, my aunts and uncles had dogs. Maybe someone had an errant cat here and there but the bottom line is that I never really grew up with cats. I like cats but I never felt the same way about them as I do about dogs. I really never understood their behavior or nuances.
But Tom and I had talked about adopting a cat for Kelly. I wasn’t concerned that Kelly wouldn’t like said cat–she likes everything and everybody; I was more concerned about a cat’s reaction to the dog. It was an idea that we filed on the shelves at the back of our minds.
Until yesterday. I went over to see the cat and all I wanted to do was cuddle her. Her name is Cassie, she’s 3-years-old, totally white except for two gray spots on the top of her head and like I said, gorgeous blue eyes (this photo does NOT do her justice). Cassie was up for adoption because her previous owners adopted two aggressive dogs and the dogs and Cassie did not get along.
The next thing I know, we’re buying “cat stuff!” I left that up to my husband who’s owned cats before. The woman from paws, Val, was very helpful, too. She even said that we could try Cassie out on a trial basis and if we changed out minds, we could bring her back. I don’t think that’s going to happen, though. 
So far, so good. Cassie appears to be a very mellow cat who likes hanging out on the carpeted steps leading up to our second floor. We gave Cassie the run of the upstairs since Kelly can’t do steps. This way, she can have some privacy while she gets used to her new digs. Kelly approves of Cassie, she’s is just very curious, staring and sniffing at her. Cassie is keeping her distance right now, but I notice she keeps moving down a step each time I pass by. I am hopeful that these two will become buds, I really am.
Welcome to the Kelly clan, Cassie!
Congratulations! I love an adoption story – can’t get enough of ‘em.
Congratulations on the newest addition to your loving family. I’m so happy for you all. My experience with our own black lab, Jip, and our cats, was that they got along beautifully and considered each other true companions.
Our cairn terrier, Oliver, also always gets along beautifully with the cats, although because he’s a cairn, sometimes his playful barking and excitement is misinterpreted by the cats, who are all very mellow and like to keep things calm. As I used to put it, “Jip and all the cars are Jerry Garcia, and Oliver is Iggy Pop.”
One thing that is great about a cat, is, if you are sick in bed with a cold or flu and just don’t feel like moving, a cat will climb into bed with you and lick your face and sleep with you all day and is very comforting. a dog will do that too, but because of hip things my dogs don’t/didn’t do stairs. but cats just want to curl up on a blanket and sleep anyway, so they’ll just climb right onto the covers with you and help you feel better.
Good luck with the beautiful kitty!! Cassie is very lucky to have found you.
Congrats, Mrs. Martta! We were at the Petsmart in the King’s Verona plaza Saturday, and they were setting up an adoption there, too. We were there picking up stuff for the two cats we are adopting and picking up later this week. Also shelter cats, they are three-year olds who were brought into the shelter together and who are leaving the shelter together, as well. When we see you guys over the holidays you can meet Taz and Chloe. Good luck with Cassie!
Geez…I was on my way to Petco Saturday when I got sidetracked…I’m sure I would have recognized you, Martta. Coulda said Hi…Sorry, Conan, I wouldn’t have had a clue…
What a lucky day for Cassie when you and your husband walked into Petco, Martta. I wish her many happy years with you. I’m sure Kelly will grow to love her new friend..
Thanks guys, and Conan, good luck with your lucky adoptees!
This has to be one of the most affectionate cats I ever met…last night she slept on our bed! And she loves to have her tummy rubbed.
Thank you for taking Cassie
we absolutely loved her at PAWS and we are so happy she finally got a wonderful home, the home she deserves!
You are the best!
No problem, Nellie, just look for the Cary Grant look-alike driving the red Maserati. That’s not me, but I am sure he will do…
LOL, Conan…
Yes, Nellie, would love to meet up one day. Maybe we can have a kitty playdate.
a kitty play date? New to feline ownership, eh?
Better MM, to put Cassie on a leash and go for a nice long walk.
LOL, yes, VERY new!
Most of my kitties are from PAWS, so they would feel a kinship with Cassie, I’m sure…
Conan, you are much too modest…