Since I introduced Ripley, this has been the number one question: Why did you adopt a kitten?
In other words: Y’all are dog people! What not a dog?
So, it’s time I addressed the kitten in the room…
First of all, I’m a pragmatic person. I lean toward the logical, even in my creative work.
But I also believe in magic. Wholeheartedly.
(INFJ… what can I say?)
Anyway, we talked–a lot–about adopting a dog so that Cooper wouldn’t be “alone” after Emmett passed away, but it was just so painful. It still is. Losing Emmett and Lucas so close together meant losing our herd, our pack, and we both logically knew that adopting another dog right now would only highlight that loss.
And then Violet came, and it made even less sense.
Time passed, of course, and I fell in love with a sweet pup on the shelter’s website. We wanted to go meet him on “Clear the Shelter Day,” but there was one big, huge, mondo problem: The event required that you bring your current dog to the shelter for a meet and greet.
Um.
Yeah.
No.
There’s literally no way Cooper could ever do that. He could never go to the shelter in the first place, but during a bustling adoption event? Holy moly. He would melt. the. heck. down. That many people and dogs, an unfamiliar place, the sights and sounds and smells of a shelter… there is absolutely no way he could do that and keep his head about him. There’s absolutely no way I’d ever ask that of him.
So, cross that dog off the list.
Then, one day, John and I were at PetSmart, and there was a rescue there with a gorgeous mama pup who was as sweet and melty as you can imagine. She was just darling. But, they said, we needed to bring Cooper–that day–to PetSmart to meet her.
Um.
See above.
{{Aside: It’s frustrating for me that two rescues had that similar requirement that we could literally, truthfully never meet. I’m not perfect by any stretch, but I feel like we’re pretty darn good pet parents who spoil the ever living daylights out of our animals, yet those were two dogs we couldn’t bring home because we couldn’t ask that of Cooper. Frustrating. Another topic for another day.}}
So, no dog.
We basically resigned ourselves to having to wait until the right dog came into a rescue where we knew the people or the people knew Cooper/us/our situation.
And then, one day, I was scrolling through Facebook, and I saw Ripley’s kitten pic.
Magic happened.
I saw her pic, and I instantly knew she was ours. John had said many, many times “no kittens,” but as soon as I showed him her picture, he just said, “When do we get her?”
The universe aligned that day, and Ripley–who, it turns out, is the perfect cat for our unique blend of personalities–came home.
She’s been with us two months, and we can say with complete and utter certainty:
Emmett sent us Ripley.
BTW, this is how Violet reacts every single time the kitten walks into view. It’s out of focus because they all move so fast.
Ripley has turned out to be so go-with-the-flow, tolerating Newt’s inappropriate biting, Cooper’s cat-walloping habit, the baby’s noises and smells and grabby little fingers, and she just is super laid-back about it all.
All, that is, except for one thing…
Food.
Ripley is insane when it comes to food. Seriously, you guys, I think I need to get dinnertime on video because it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.
Except, that is, with Emmett.
Ripley eats like Emmett. Any bite of anything she can get her teeth on, she gobbles it up without so much as sniffing it. I even talked to the vet about it at her kitten well check because I felt like her eating was concerning… though the vet said it’s probably just kitten curiosity that she’ll outgrow.
I’m not so sure about that.
In the span of the past few days, here’s what she’s eaten/absconded with: a hunk of peanut butter toast, a million mouthfuls of Violet’s baby food like squash and green beans, the nipples off two bottles of formula, lots of Newt’s cat food via shoving her out of the way, beets, spinach (which she growled at Cooper over!!), salt and vinegar potato chips, rice cereal, popcorn, and on and on…
When Emmett looked at all the kittens in animal heaven, he was clearly like, “That one. That’s the one my people need.”
And, so, that is why a kitten. 🙂
You and John sound so much like me. You just ‘know’ when its meant to be. And you have each other. That makes it even better. This makes me so happy to know that my recently (one in 2016 & one this Fall) lost pups (AKA the dog loves of my life) will send me what I need. Thank you for another great blog entry. Such inspiration!
I’m so sorry, Robbin, for all your loss. My heart is with you. I love your take on it, that they’ll send you what you need. Please keep me posted how that unfolds. Big hugs!
Love this! I definitely had one of those magic moments when I met my little dog, so I understand completely. I just wanted to comment that I used to work at one of those animal shelters that requires a meet-and-greet with a resident dog. It was the number one method we used to make sure that dogs didn’t get returned after adoption because they didn’t get along with other pets in the home. I can’t speak for the shelter you visited, but I know that at my shelter, the staff was specifically trained to work with dogs of all temperaments and tendencies. The meet-and-greet took place outside, away from the shelter smells and noise and bustling, and meet-and-greets could be scheduled for quiet times during the week. In a few cases, I drove the adoptable dog out to the person’s house to meet their dogs. I completely understand that Cooper might not have done well at a bustling adoption event (most “house dogs” wouldn’t!), but please don’t write off adopting because of a required meet-and-greet. You might be surprised if you ask about special accommodations the shelter can make for your dog. Animal shelter workers want to help you find the right dog, and they just might go above and beyond to make that happen. 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing your insights and experience, Jen! Not to worry–we would never write off adopting a dog! I think going through a rescue who knows us is probably the more likely scenario, though, than a meet-and-greet one, at least if Coop has to go to the shelter. But you’re absolutely right–maybe a different shelter would be more willing/understanding to work with his “unique” personality!
I love it when a pet sends another pet to their people. It just seems so “right.” As a side note, I know of a rescue in FW who will work with you when you’re ready for a new pooch. 😉
Funny, I already had you in mind!! 😉
I love this! You do know it’s right and you needed someone a little different who may challenge you but who you will love deeply!
Thanks so much, Paula!!! And, yes, this little lady already has our hearts! 🙂
We have the same problem with rescue requirements to bring your current dog. We have a leash reactive anxious dog and it’s just not a feasible thing for us. I understand the policy intention but it sidelines a lot of great families. Welcome, Ripley!
YES! That is 100% the boat we’re in, too… I’ll just maintain my hope that the right dog will eventually find us in the right way! 🙂
When it works…it works. So glad you got the perfect pet for your family now. Perhaps Emmet and Lucas will steer the right dog your way at a later date. I LOVE the pictures with this post! It sure looks like one big happy pet family at your house. Nice job at adding one to the herd!!! That cat is adorable!!!
Thank you so, so much!! 🙂 I really appreciate your kind words!!
Well of course Emmett sent Ripley to you. Glad you’re open to the gifts the universe has been sending you.
May there be many more.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Awww!!! Thank you so much, Pamela!
Why a kitten?! Why a kitten?! Why NOT a kitten?!
YES! Exactly! 😀
Oh yeah, it was definitely Cooper who sent Ripley to you – or you to her!! There’s no doubt in my mind at all! It was Kissy who sent Callie to us. And, if we’re still spry enough, Callie and Shadow will send us a sweetheart to be Ducky’s friend. (But, hopefully one who will tell the little demon off when she needs it!) Hopefully, though, Shadow will be with us still for at least another few years.
I absolutely understand that sentiment and your faith!! Big, big hugs to you and your crew!