Today, Alex and I did something we do once in a while...we visited a couple of local animal shelters. We both love animals and dream of the day when we can have a dog.
First we went to Kindred Kitties. Kindred Kitties is a store front place in down town Kenosha whose sole purpose is to rescue kitties and find them forever homes. We got three kitties from Kindred Kitties. Arnie was the first. They were showing him at Adoption Day out at Petco and I fell in love with him and brought him home. He's been my special guy ever since. We have a solid bond, Arnie and me, and I think even Alex knows that Arnie is really my first love! LOL
Next we brought home Brigitte. She was less than a year old when she came home and Arnie wasn't too sure about her at all. But, over time, and much hissing later, the two of them became best buddies. Brigitte took some time to warm up to her new human family but once she did she was a lover! Unfortunately, Brigitte became ill and started to have a series of strokes. Eventually she couldn't take it anymore and I had to make that horrible decision to have her put to sleep. I was there with her when it happened and it was one of the saddest days of my life.
Soon though, Alex and I knew it was time to get another kitty. We went to Kindred Kitties again. The best part about Kindred Kitties is that all the kitties run pretty much free throughout the two rooms of the store. You can pick them up and pet them and get a real feel for their personalities. Well, there was a skinny, scrawny, grey kitten with runny eyes and a cough that looked like she had seen the hard streets in her short life. I am immediately drawn to those cats who aren't as cute or cuddly as the rest. The cute ones get adopted easiest. The others tend to get overlooked. This kitty kept coming near to us, wanting some interaction, and then would go away. But if any other kitty came over, she would immediately come back and push her way near us again. We didn't take her right away. We left and went home and talked about it again and again. We went back to see her again and then went home again. Alex wasn't convinced she was the one. He was hoping for a cat that would warm up to him right away the way Arnie had done with me. Finally, we decided she needed a forever home and brought her home. Her name at the shelter was Zingers which is a stupid name. We called her Belle.
Belle quickly let Arnie know she was in charge. He's an easy going guy so he didn't really care about that. She was still sick when we got her but she soon got well and started to put on weight and thrive. And, much to his enjoyment, she completely fell in love with Alex and, to this day, she is his special girl.
The point of all of this is simply that we couldn't imagine our lives without these two furry, funny creatures. Yes, when we leave to go abroad we have the hassle of figuring out who will take care of them and then we talk about them everyday, hoping they're okay and aren't too upset with us. We worry if we think they're not feeling well or acting lethargic. I can't say they're like our children but they are a very special part of our lives.
Today as we played with the kitties at Kindred Kitties and saw the dogs at Safe Harbour Humane Society, we wished we had a bigger place to live. We would love to have a dog and a another kitty or two to share our days with. If you don't have a pet, get one. You cannot imagine how much they enhance your life. Adopt a stray. Avoid puppy mill dogs and go see the beautiful animals waiting for a loving family at your local shelter. Get them spayed or neutered. Then, sit back, relax and realized you are in for life time of unconditional love.
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