Introducing Precious

I have been wanting another cat for a long while now and I had a very specific thought about what kitty I wanted and knew my search would take me awhile. I have always loved long haired, purebred cats like a Himalayan or a Persian and had once owned two Himalayans that were the most lovable and personable kitties I had ever had. Especially Cleo who was a constant companion and just wanted to be around me. Having a cat again like Cleo was important to me because nine years after her passing on to kitty heaven I still missed her so much. It was also important, because the cat (Flower) that we already own is anything but sweet.

My first search was at the Denver Dumb Friends League last Mother's Day when my husband said for me to pick out a cat. You see for me, I knew that when it was the right time and the right cat, then she would come to me. So I did not find her that day. Then for my birthday, my family told me to go pick one out. I toyed with the idea, having anxiety over whether Flower would stand for another cat in the house. I finally decided that they would just have to get use to each other and that it will all work out.

I started my search on the Internet looking over pictures of cats for the right one. I came across a website for an ARAS shelter that is a cat only, no kill shelter. I saw a picture of a beautiful cat named Destiny on their adoptable cat page and thought she may be the one. So my daughter and I went to the shelter the next day. It was something else to see over 200 cats roaming free in this wonderful place and with so many it became very confusing as to which one I wanted to take home with me. Destiny, the cat I saw in the picture was still there, but a young woman was looking at her with lots of interest. This made me think that I had been too late and that maybe it was not the right time or cat for me.

I looked around the shelter and found many adorable, loving kittens and cats. I was at that point unsure of myself and what I really wanted. I walked back into the room where Destiny and the woman were and saw that they were having a hard time together. Every time she tried to pick up the cat, she would slip away from the woman. I reached down and picked her up in my arms and stroked her. She purred immediately. The woman looked at me and said that I should really take that cat, she seemed to like me.

I knew that I did not want a cat that would be too shy and not want to be held and loved by me. I was afraid that my desire to have a certain type of kitty would cloud my judgement. So I left the shelter without making a choice.

After leaving, Destiny and the woman's words stayed on my mind. The more I thought about the pretty flat-faced cat, the more I fell in love with her. And my own sense that the right cat would pick me, not the other way around began to form. Still I was not sure and the next day I returned with my husband and daughter to see what they thought. I took my husband to see Destiny and she was still acting shy. But she did let us hold her. In my arms I flipped her on her back and she laid there and let me cuddle her like that.

We looked at more cats and my husband managed to have a few come and curl up in his lap. I kept watching Destiny and tried to decide if she would be outgoing enough for the kind of cat I wanted. Also there was the big worry of getting along with our other cat. I went to talk to the attendant about the history of the other cats that I thought might make a perfect companion. When I mentioned Destiny and how I thought she may be too shy the attendant asked if I was kidding. Everyone had seen me put her on her back and hold her. They were all amazed.

I guess that gave me hope and two hours later we left the shelter with Destiny. We are at home now getting use to each other. She is the most "Precious" little thing and she is not shy around us. We do have a little problem with Flower chasing her and growling, but I hope that they will get use to being together soon.

Reading over this post, I have to laugh at how hard it was to make a decision and just take this cat home with me. But it is my belief that your pet is a lifetime responsibility and it is very important to be sure that you pick out one that you truly want and who wants you in return.