My hubby is allergic to cats. Well, he says he was. But he used to have a cat in his house when he was a kid. So I figured he just needed some daily exposure. I was never the type of person to impulse adopt a pet. The only time that happened was when hubby and I found a bearded dragon that was so incredibly mistreated at a pet store that we bought her just to save her life. (But that's a whole other story time. Today is about kitties.)
One day a grey and white kitten came into the store, and I loved him. There were other cats that I fell for, because...well, shit...you try not to fall in love with kittens. It's impossible. But this guy had something special. And then some batshit crazy people with a ton of kids came in, banging on the cages, freaking out the animals, and pulling their tails. They turned in an application to adopt the baby. My baby kitty was NOT going to that house.
So I told hubby about it. He said no. I told hubby about the people. He said that sucks, and no. I told hubby that I would buy dander reducing spray, be the one to clean the litterboxes for all time, and do all the grooming. He said no.
Then I purposely left something I knew I'd need for work at home, and called hubby to bring it to me. When he did, I put this tiny grey and white fluffball in his arms, and demanded he acknowledge how cute the cat was. The tiny kitten who was a bit of a wildman settled into hubby's arms like he belonged there, reached his paw up to hubby's face and meowed the tiniest cutest meow that had ever been mewed by a kitten.
A few days later, we had a kitten in the house.
Jenna's video reminded me of those first few days, because we also had two dogs, who had NEVER seen a cat before. We did all the tricks to adjust them. Scent sharing, space swapping, meeting on neutral ground, we did it all. We even got homeopathic doggy downers. Within 4 days we had a settled family who was playing together. My cat has a lot of dog qualities since he grew up with them, and my younger dog sleeps in the sun and cleans her face with her paws. So they blend well.
Hubby takes an allergy pill once a day, and we have to wash the bedding the cat likes to snuggle on more often, but every once in a while hubby sends me pictures of our kitty curled up on his lap, and I don't know that I've ever seen him smile so big.
As I'm typing this out, my now three year old cat is cuddled up on an ottoman next to my desk. It's pretty damn wonderful.
I've always been the type of person who says people come into your life for a reason. Either you need them, or they need you. But there is always an undeniable connection that makes me pay attention. Animals are the same way. Your family, furry and four-legged, or human and huggable, finds you.
The two furbabies below, definitely chose me. Thankfully, they chose each other too.
Do you have animals that chose you to be their human? Tell me their story or send me their pictures! I'd love to see some cute puppies, kittens, or reptiles you've claimed as your family.
~Roxy