I have been around animals through volunteering, and now my job, for so many years that I've learned how to not get attached to every animal that needs a new home (made easier by working at a no-kill shelter). But there are those special moments when you just connect with an animal or know that they're meant for you. Three and a half years ago when I was working at AAHS as an Adoption Counselor, I fell in love with a beautiful calico cat named Jennifer that everyone would always overlook because they thought calicos weren't nice cats or because she likely needed to be in a home without any other animals. When my chores were finished and the Adoption Center was slow, I would spend time with the cats to give them some individual attention. Jennifer's cage was on the bottom, so I would sit on the floor with my legs crossed and open the door, and she would gently put her front paws on my leg and lay there for pets. After a few months, someone finally had some interest in her, but I knew at that moment that there was no way she wasn't going home with me! She is now Cleo, my little shadow and such a good girl--I can't imagine life without her.

 

A year later, Stormy literally meowed at our doorstep on the verge of death. So we took her in and got her back to good health with the intention of fostering her, since Cleo wasn't particularly excited about the idea about having another cat around. But Stormy was a special needs cat because of what she had been through and we could not find her owners, so we eventually decided that Cleo was going to have to tolerate a sister (which she has). It's been so great having Cleo and Stormy around, but we have recently been talking about how we've missed having a dog around since we both grew up with dogs and cats. We were living in a cat friendly apartment, but not dog friendly, so we were waiting for the right time to move and to adopt a dog.

 

A little over a month ago, our Animal Caretaker Christine came in with one of her new foster dogs that she had just saved from animal control. I immediately knew she was our dog, and the more I found out about her, the more I knew she was a good match for our home. But the problem was that we were not in a dog friendly home. I started looking for other places to live so we could adopt her (though we had already been looking for other reasons), and I found a great house with a large fenced back yard. We sublet our apartment and moved to the house two weeks ago, and last week we brought Bonnie home. She is such a sweet girl! She doesn't bother the cats, and Stormy seems like she may even become friends with Bonnie after some time. Cleo is still Cleo and tolerates Bonnie, but I think she will warm up more after a few weeks of getting used to our new routines.

Bonnie is getting more used to going on walks with us around the neighborhood for exercise, and she loves to play fetch and visit with our family and friends when stop by. She is hilarious with her squeaky toys and gently carrying around cat toys, especially the ones that make noise. And one of the great perks of working at AAHS is that she gets to come to work with me during the week and hang out in my office!

 

If you're thinking of adding a new pet to your life, be patient and spend some time with our adoptable animals so you know which one will be a good fit for your home and to find that special connection. Sometimes it's instantaneous like it was with Bonnie, but sometimes it grows stronger over time like with Cleo. Once you know, you know. It's worth the wait to find the right ones like we did, and it makes your bond all that more special!

--Amanda

(Outreach Coordinator)