Two years ago this week, I had just finished another semester of teaching and was excited to embark on two weeks of winter vacation. I was still heartbroken over the loss of my beloved Lola in June, but I had begun to look at photos of shelter cats in need. I had looked at many, but none called to me. I wasn’t sure I was ready, and I had no idea whether I could truly love another cat the way I had adored Lola. We were soulmates. How could I ever expect to bond with a pet that way again in this lifetime?
On Saturday, December 19th, I was browsing our rescue group’s Facebook page and looking at the many cats and kittens around Texas who were in need of rescue, when a tiny ball of calico fluff caught my eye. She looked like baby Lola, except her coloring was darker. I realized immediately that my attraction was solely based on this resemblance, and I chastised myself for even considering what was clearly the impossible hope of a replacement. I wasn’t ready for a new cat, I decided, and maybe I would find the right one in the spring. I tried, I really did...but I couldn’t get that little round kitten face out of my mind. On Monday, I got up early and drove an hour to a rural shelter, thinking that maybe I would just pull her for our rescue group, and I could enjoy her for a month or so until time for her to be adopted.
When I arrived at the shelter, I was given a hissy, terrified little furball that was so tiny she could fit into the palm of my hand. She huddled against the back of the crate, staring at me with wide Disney cartoon eyes and hissing fearfully as I pulled her out to hold her during the drive back to Dallas. She slowly settled into my lap, gradually trusting me, and I knew then that I would never let her go.
Of all the decisions I have made in my life, keeping Molly was one of the wisest. She has snuggled her way into my heart, and I love her with all the love that my heart gained from Lola. Molly is not a replacement; she has turned out to be a very different cat, and for that I am thankful. Molly is reserved, patient, content, and friendly. Even as a kitten, she was relaxed and perfectly behaved. I never had to break any bad habits or teach her to sleep through the night. She grew, but not much. At seven pounds, she is my petite “forever kitten” who spends all her time waiting for me to sit down so she can curl up beside me. She still has the wide Disney eyes that stole my heart, and it’s those eyes that I see when she runs toward the door as I come home each day. I am eternally grateful for the two years we’ve had together, and I pray for many more in our future. On Thursday, we will celebrate two years together, and I hope she knows that she’s the kitty my heart needed, even when I didn’t know it. Happy adoption day, Molly.
On Saturday, December 19th, I was browsing our rescue group’s Facebook page and looking at the many cats and kittens around Texas who were in need of rescue, when a tiny ball of calico fluff caught my eye. She looked like baby Lola, except her coloring was darker. I realized immediately that my attraction was solely based on this resemblance, and I chastised myself for even considering what was clearly the impossible hope of a replacement. I wasn’t ready for a new cat, I decided, and maybe I would find the right one in the spring. I tried, I really did...but I couldn’t get that little round kitten face out of my mind. On Monday, I got up early and drove an hour to a rural shelter, thinking that maybe I would just pull her for our rescue group, and I could enjoy her for a month or so until time for her to be adopted.
When I arrived at the shelter, I was given a hissy, terrified little furball that was so tiny she could fit into the palm of my hand. She huddled against the back of the crate, staring at me with wide Disney cartoon eyes and hissing fearfully as I pulled her out to hold her during the drive back to Dallas. She slowly settled into my lap, gradually trusting me, and I knew then that I would never let her go.
Of all the decisions I have made in my life, keeping Molly was one of the wisest. She has snuggled her way into my heart, and I love her with all the love that my heart gained from Lola. Molly is not a replacement; she has turned out to be a very different cat, and for that I am thankful. Molly is reserved, patient, content, and friendly. Even as a kitten, she was relaxed and perfectly behaved. I never had to break any bad habits or teach her to sleep through the night. She grew, but not much. At seven pounds, she is my petite “forever kitten” who spends all her time waiting for me to sit down so she can curl up beside me. She still has the wide Disney eyes that stole my heart, and it’s those eyes that I see when she runs toward the door as I come home each day. I am eternally grateful for the two years we’ve had together, and I pray for many more in our future. On Thursday, we will celebrate two years together, and I hope she knows that she’s the kitty my heart needed, even when I didn’t know it. Happy adoption day, Molly.
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