Meeting Prince Charming

I was a sophomore in college and life was looking pretty bleak. My roommate was stuck-up and boring. My love life was incomplete. I needed comfort, a hug to come home to. I needed a friend…

I needed a cat.

See, I’ve always had a love for cats. They’re fluffy and smart and independent; like me. Don’t get me wrong, dogs are amazing too. But, they’re not cats. And they’re a lot more of a responsibility.

So, on a desperate-for-joy kind of day, I took a drive. I’ve been to shelters before but this one looked like an animal jail. It was HUGE! And everything was painted in sadness and shades of dark grays and blues.

I walked in, not sure of what would happen next. Not sure who I’d play with, if I was ready to give my heart to a pet. I continued down a dark, smelly hallway, past the dogs and all their barking.

When I reached the doors to the “Cat Cave” my eyes immediately locked with his. He saw me through the glass. Truly, it felt like he saw into me. And I saw into him. I opened the door, immediately inquiring about his position. There was a chain around his cage and a large sign that said he couldn’t have any visitors.

It was strange, I already felt like this cat was mine. I barely knew what he looked like, but I was ready to fight. As the volunteers scurried to find information, I looked at other cats that caught my eye. But no matter what I did, or who I held, my heart was set on meeting another guy.

Finally, they put me and my future bestie in a room.

A sweet volunteer explained that he was not up for adoption but a runaway that had many brothers and sisters and a home. His siblings had already been picked up though, and he had been left at the shelter...alone.

Although this was unusual, his owner said that she’d be back. Currently, however, she wasn’t picking up the phone and time was quickly running out.

Did I mention this was a kill shelter?

Yep, after a 30-day stay, it’s pet heaven; and this was his 28th day.

The volunteer seemed to have a little attachment to my cat though. She went on to explain that he was “very special”. Never mind his gorgeous white/grey Siamese complexion and crystal blue eyes, he was extremely loving and required a lot of attention and time.

Well, of course, exactly what I didn’t want; a clingy runaway who was unadoptable yet in dire need of a good mom. We played and we played, he laid on my chest, onlookers gazed. I stayed there all day.

And then we got the news. His owner was willing to let him go and for just a small fee and full background screening, it was home sweet home! I’ll never forget that night. When we first got into the house, he hid under my bed, all the way in the corner. Timid but then he warmed up to the room, my furniture, and slowly again, me too. I think he’d been at the shelter so long he kind of missed his volunteer friends and probably his brothers and sisters which he’d never see again.

But he needed me. And within the hours I spent with him, he brought me joy and a great sense of peace.

At first, I was going to name him Namaste, then Sublime and Dali. But you know where I ended up? This beautiful cat’s name was going to be Prince Charming. I told him right then and there, “You are the only man I need. I will be here for you and you will be here for me.”

It’s been almost nine years I’ve had him now and not a day goes by that I don’t thank god for that shelter and my perfectly loving, plush doll-looking guy.