When I learned that I would be moving to a new city to start a job, the first thing I was dreaming about was adopting my first cat. I knew for the longest time that I wanted to live with a furry friend of my own, but that wouldn’t be possible until I get my own place.

So, as soon as I was installed in my apartment and got used to my schedule and new surroundings, I started looking for the perfect furry pal. I work very close to an animal shelter so during my lunch break, on my second week at my new job, I went to see the adorable cats up for adoption.

Finding the One

The very first cat I saw was in a cage on the bottom row, in the corner of the room, near the door. His big yellow eyes were staring right into mine and he meowed at me as if to say hello. As soon as I put up my hand for him to smell me, he pressed his head against it. The next thing I knew, his whole body was pressed against the bars of his cage so I could pet him even more. It was love at first sight, for him and for me!

The kitten next to that cage was also extremely cute, black and white and so tiny! But I really wanted to adopt an adult cat and give him a second chance in life. Also, I really wanted a black cat because they are less easily adopted due to the superstition.

When I opened the door of his cage to try to take him in my arms, he managed to escape and ran away into the next room. That’s how badly he wanted to leave the shelter and find his forever home!

Ready to adopt…or not!

I thought about the cat for 2-3 days and when I came back, ready to adopt my friend, his cage was empty… My heart shattered to pieces: my baby had been adopted. That’s when I knew how much I already loved this cat! Luckily, a staff member told me he hadn’t been adopted, he was just a bit sick.

When I came back a few days later to check on him, he was still sick and I couldn’t see him… Nonetheless, I had made my decision. I left my name and number and told the staff that I wanted to adopt him when he would be healthy again.

The waiting game

The next week, I finally got the call: my baby was healthy and ready to be adopted! I was so happy that I could barely work after that and went directly to see him at the shelter. I took him in my arms and that’s when I realized how heavy and big he is!!

He weighs almost 15 pounds and is much, much longer than the average male cat! I promised him I would come back later that day to bring him home. I talked to a staff member and signed the documents to arrange the adoption. The staff member then put a paper on my kitty’s cage that said “thank you for adopting me”, and right after, my baby stretched and lay down. He looked so peaceful and relaxed as if he knew he was going home with the best cat mama… I nearly cried of pure happiness!!

That afternoon, I got a special permission from my boss to leave work early so that I could take my baby home before the shelter closed. On the way home (a 7 min drive), he meowed in panic while staring at me: he didn’t understand what was going on. It broke my heart and I wanted to cry. So many thoughts ran through my mind and that’s when it sank in… I do not know how to take care of a cat, I’ve never had one before! I was terrified.

Finally home

In the hallway leading to my apartment, he managed to escape from his carton box. I thought we would run away in panic and I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to catch him. After all, he barely knew me and he is HEAVY. Thankfully, he is the sweetest and didn’t run away. I took him in my arms and carried him all the way to my apartment. As soon as I put him on the floor, he explored the place and was so calm: what a drastic change from his behaviour previously in the car!!

He rapidly approved of his new home and his new mom and took a nap. What a cat! That night, he slept at my feet, on my bed, and my little heart melted. The rest is history! <3

It has now been almost 6 months since I adopted my cat, and everything is going very well. He makes me laugh and showed me the meaning of love in its purest form. Never have I been this crazy in love in my entire life! I miss him when I’m away, even if it’s just for a few hours, and I take TONS of pictures. You may see him on my Instagram once in a while 😉

Do you have a touching story of when you met your pet? I would love to hear about it!

-xox- Marika