“Bill, sit.” Ira held out a hand, fingers flat. Bill looked up at him, jumped twice and sat. He quivered with excitement but stayed in one place. Ira smiled. “Good dog. See, I told you we had bonded. He’s going to be a great companion.”
“How’d you do that so quickly?” Betty asked. “I’ve been trying for months to train him.”
“I don’t know. One thing I learned with the military canine unit is some bonds are meant to be and some dogs can only have one handler. I’m hoping that’s not the case with Bill, but somehow, I knew we’d get along.”
“I’m impressed,” Honey praised as she walked toward the opposite side of the room where the cats were housed. She passed several cages of cuddly, bouncy kittens. She kept going. No kitten for her, if she was adopting, it was going to be a mature cat. The first cat was a beautiful white Himalayan. Nope. Too much maintenance with all that fur. The next, a hairless, was cute in a homely sort of way. He took one look at her, curled up in a ball and tucked his head under his naked tail.
Cats were always standoffish, but he was too much. She moved onto the next enclosure. Two pure black cats lounged like Sphynxes at the back of the enclosure, eyes closed and ears perked upwards.
She moved along and stopped abruptly three cages later. A scarred and battered tabby sat beside a chunky orange and white shorthair. She looked them over. The battered one called to her, its meow piteous and sad. Honey reached out her hand to the tabby. With a twist of her wrist, Honey fit her hand through the bars and stroked the tabby’s ears.
As with Ira moments ago, the bond was instantaneous.
“I’ll take her.”
“Excellent. She’s not pretty, but she is very friendly.”
“Can I take her out?”
“Go ahead. I’ll just grab some forms for you to fill out while you two get to know your new family members.”
After Betty walked away, Honey opened the cage and picked up the tabby who purred until she got to the edge of the cage. She hissed wildly and jumped back and huddled behind her orange cell mate.
Honey tried again. And again.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with her,” Honey lamented when Betty returned. “Maybe she’s not the cat for me.”
“She’s been in a cage with Buster for six months. Perhaps he feels like family. Try taking him out.”
Honey reached in again and stroked the duo before carefully picking up the orange cat. She eased him forward. The tabby purred and walked alongside him and hopped to the floor when Honey dropped slowly onto her backside with him in her lap.
The cats cuddled together, purring like crazy.
“Oh, damn. How can I separate these two? They’re best friends.” She sighed, then laughed. “Okay, hook me up with the two of them.” She looked at Ira and shook her finger at him. “You do know I had no intention of getting a pet today. I mean, I’ve considered getting one. In the future. How can I resist these adorable faces?” She kissed the cats one after the other.
“If I sit in your lap and purr, will I get a kiss?” Ira teased.
Unable to resist his charming grin, Honey laughed with him. “I guess it depends on how well your dog gets along with my cats. Bring him over, but keep a tight hold on his collar just in case.”
Ira, hand in Bill’s collar, led him to Honey’s side. The calico reached out and tapped him on the nose, but without extending her claws. Bill obediently dropped to the floor and lay with his nose against Honey’s knees. “Tawny, be nice,” Honey chided, suddenly naming her cat.
“Well, if that isn’t the darndest thing,” Betty exclaimed. “I’ve never seen anything like it. They’re going to be friends.”
“Yes, they are,” Honey said, “Bill, Tawny, and Buster - friends for life.”
“Can I bring him over when I come visit your apartment?” Ira asked with a sly grin.
“Are you angling for an invitation?” Honey quirked her eyebrow.
“Is it working?” Ira asked hopefully.
She wouldn’t admit it aloud, but his boyish charm was working. Entirely too well.
Honey purchased a cat climbing tree, food, food and water dishes, litter and a box, and more toys than she ever imagined she’d be buying. She added a substantial tip for the shelter. A donation in gratitude for their gift of her new companions. Ira’s similar donation made her smile.
“I was going to ask you to lunch today, but I suppose we should get these critters home,” Ira said.
“Oh, I would have loved to go for lunch. But I suppose you’re right about our new friends.” She paused. “Unless you want to bring Bill over for a visit. I can whip up some food. He can get to know the cats while we eat.”
