It was a normal day, till my wife called me. Her voice was calm but somehow strange. She told me, she had to get an animal, TODAY! It wasn't loud just emphatic I got a errie chill, so I started home immediately. I knew something was wrong, I just didn't know what it was. I entered our home still talking on the phone and told her let's go. We were headed to the shelter. When we arrived to look at the adoption candidates, they picked each other out. I don't know how.
The attraction was obvious. They needed each other.They were meant to be together. Papers were signed and money exchanged. My wife had a new friend. Chloe, a polydactyl kitten. A "Hemingway" cat.
As we were leaving,since it was closing time, The lady at the shelter said to Tammy,my wife,"I'm so glad that you took her".My wife being curious, asked why. The woman at the shelter replied,"today was her last day". You see our shelter regularly euthanizes animals that have been there for too many days or when they are full.
Our fight for this kitty had just begun. Our residence is an apartment that has a no pet policy. This is a strict rule. We were threatened with eviction. With legal wrangling and arbitration, Chloe became a legal "companion animal" like a guide dog for the blind. Now protected by the constitution, Chloe is a part of our family tending to the emotional needs of my disabled wife when my son and I are not there. She "barks" not meows, she plays fetch better than any dog,and after a year, still nurses on my wifes lip daily
I'm glad that I listened to my "inner voice" that day. It has made a huge difference in our lives.
Stephenville, TX
