I never in a million years thought my heart would open up to another kitty so soon after the passing of Pumpkin on July 23rd.

This is how it happened. I was so depressed and decided to visit my local humane society with my 16-year-old son. I know it sounds strange, but I felt that visiting those homeless kitties would somehow provide me with some comfort. I always thought that someday I would adopt a little kitten and I wanted to see if my heart would be open to one.

Well, the kittens were soooo cute and playful and I even held one. Then I saw HIM, in the cage right above the kittens. He was a big, handsome grey tabby with trusting eyes. He was rolling onto his back and pushing his puffy cheeks against the glass window trying to get our attention. My son and I looked at each other and said, "Uh-oh." We knew our hearts were lost. I called my husband to come to the shelter and when he arrived his eyes went right to Samuel (who was putting on his cute, little show to get his attention). He wanted him before he even knew that Michael and I were interested in him! So much for a kitten! We all held him while he purred and purred. The caregiver told us that this was the first time anyone had asked to hold him and she looked so happy that we chose him. Samuel looked into my eyes with such love and trust and I gave him my heart. I told the caregiver that my heart was lost to him and he would be having his forever home with us. It was so hard to leave him overnight waiting for the adoption to be approved.

Samuel had arrived at the shelter as one of 20 cats that were confiscated from a woman's home. She must have fed them all really well. He is only 2 years old but already weighs 20 pounds! He loves to play, though, so hopefully he'll soon be in shape. He is a big Romeo who already is trying to score points with our 6-year-old black Turkish Angora, Sabrina (also from the shelter, abandoned because her family wanted a dog instead).

Does this mean Pumpkin's been replaced? Certainly not! Because of the great love that Pumpkin taught me how to give, I will be able to go on. I know that he would want it this way. My love for Pumpkin is eternal and I will ALWAYS miss him. My mom is convinced that Pumpkin chose Samuel for us from Heaven. I don't know if I'd go that far, but he truly is a gift from God. In fact, after my daughter chose the name Samuel for him, I discovered it means "an answer to prayer".

Whether you're ready to open up your heart to another furbaby within weeks or months or even years, my advice is to do it. There are so many furbabies that need loving homes. The pain I am experiencing with Pumpkin's passing is worth the years of joy he gave me. I look forward to a life, no matter how uncertain, with Sabrina and my new furbaby boy, Samuel.

Love,
Helena

Helena...I'm so happy for you and especially for Samuel. What a lucky cat to get you for his MOM! I'm sure Pumpkin wants you to be happy and to share your love with another.

CONGRATS,
Lisa...NOAH'S ARK

Dear Helena,

What a touching story about Samual! Of course Pumpkin could never be replaced, but I think your mom is correct...Pumpkin led you to Samual.

Congrats on your new addition!
Hugs,
Kathleen

Sometimes the stories like these are just what we need to remember that before our grief we were happy.

I'm glad to see that you, too, have a new addition to your family. And that you gave hope and love to someone who nobody else even wanted to hold.

P.S. - be aware that once you get them home the "cute little show" gets replaced with "typical tolerance of all humans" hehheh