Ever since Bre's Tilly came to live with us briefly last year, Sophie has been longing for a kitten of her own. I'd have been happy if Tilly had just stayed behind when Bre moved away, but no, Tilly wanted to move away with her mama.
Sophie had been asking for weeks if we could rescue a kitten from the humane society, but the answer was never what she wanted to hear. Whether it was accompanied with "I'm allergic," or "Your dad only likes Tilly," the response was always the same: no, no, and no.
Last week, I gave Sabrina a call to let her know that I'd secretly changed my mind about letting Sophie have a kitten, and I needed her help. We scoured all the shelters in the area by internet and phone, but found only older cats. I didn't mind older cats, as I would have loved to adopt the cat that had been at the shelter the longest, but with the hooligans and their antics, I thought a young kitten would be a much better idea. (I decided this after talking with Theresa from Shakespeare's Peddler, asking her for some advice on what to look for in a kitten. Thanks, Theresa!)
Finally, Sabrina found a 4-month-old at her local Petsmart, which adopted out cats and kittens from a nearby shelter. We decided to stop there first, and Sophie thought we were simply going to look at the cats, and maybe play with one; she had no idea that Sabrina had chosen this location specifically...
Here's a side note: Earlier in the week, Soph asked if we could visit a shelter and perhaps play with a cat. I told her that only those serious about adopting could play with the cats, and she said, "Well can we pretend we're serious about adopting?" So I pretended to think about it, and told her that we certainly could pretend to be interested in adopting. But of course, she had no idea that I wouldn't be pretending. ;)
...So into Petsmart we went, and Sophie spied the 4-month-old.
I took out my phone and started taking a few pictures, but I'm disappointed that I missed one photo in particular: the sign on the window said her name was Tilly! We were all so surprised! When the Petsmart employee walked over to see if we needed help, we asked if we could have a one-on-one visit with little Tilly, and she said to us, "You can only visit with her if you're serious about adopting. Are you serious about adopting?" I answered, "Well, we think we're serious about adopting."
At this point, Sophie was just pleased that I was playing this "secret" game of ours so she could play with the kitten. So into the little room the three of us went, and the employee brought her out to us. She set Tilly on the ground, and after a long stretch, Tilly ran straight to Sophie. We all cooed and giggled at her, and finally we couldn't stand it any more and each of us held her. She was as gentle and charming as could be, and never minded us passing her around.
I asked a few questions about the adoption process, and Sabrina mentioned how she thought this was the perfect little kitten for Sophie to take care of. When we looked at Sophie, her face was a mix of emotions, because in her mind she knew we were "just pretending" for the employee, but in her heart she was desperately wishing that our intentions were sincere. So Sabrina and I knew in that moment that it was time to come clean.
"Would you like to adopt her?" I asked.
Sophie caught her breath. "Seriously?" she replied.
"Yes, seriously." I said.
There was a pause as the reality of it registered, and suddenly she put her hands over her eyes and started sobbing. Now it was mine and Sabrina's turns to be surprised! We both hugged her as she sat between us, and she kept saying "thank you, thank you, thank you" to us through tears. It truly was a very special moment.
The adoption went through speedily, and soon it was time to choose a carrier to take Tilly home in and for Sophie to fill out the adoption papers. It thrilled Soph to be handed the vet records by the Petsmart employee, as it made her feel as though Tilly was truly hers.
Here is the mama and her new baby, on the car ride home...
Tilly rested in Sophie's arms the whole ride home, which lasted about an hour.
Little Tilly, whom Sophie officially named Tilly-Roux to be a little different from Bre's sweet kitty, is settling in nicely. She doesn't have quite the moxie that Bre's Tilly had when the hooligans are around, but I'm sure that will change as she grows bigger. The Yorkie has figured out that this little one is frightened easily, and is taking full advantage of it. Tasha, however, is only trying to be her friend when she charges her portly self at the little feline.
I have no doubt that, in time, this Tilly will be batting The Yorkie's behind like Bre's Tilly did.
Thank you, Sabrina, for all your help in this. And thank you, Bre, for making your dad see that cats really are as sweet as dogs. (He loves this Tilly as much as his first grand-kitty.)
What a wonderful gift for darling Sophie!!! I love all of the thought and energy that went into picking the right girl to join your family. Congratulations on the wonderful addition.
Posted by: Sis Patterson | January 23, 2013 at 05:26 AM
Congrats Sophie on the new addition and Tilly is adorable. You will have years of fun
Posted by: Sheryl | January 23, 2013 at 06:57 AM
What a beautiful cat, and what a great new friend for Sophie. Really love all the effort that you made to suprise Sophie. I hope Mike and the Hooligans will get used to her and love her too very soon.
Betty
Posted by: Betty | January 23, 2013 at 07:43 AM
That Soph face on the ride home makes it all worth while! Ah, those grand pets are so special; aren't they? Tilly-Roux is adorable!
Posted by: Charlene♥SC | January 23, 2013 at 09:04 AM
That is so sweet, the two of them together - what a great story!
Posted by: Giovanna | January 23, 2013 at 09:40 AM
Oh the sweetness of it! I am such a sap. You got me crying. ;)
Posted by: Vickie | January 23, 2013 at 09:40 AM
OMG, now I'm crying. I'm so glad Sophie now has her Tilly. What a special story, thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Sandra Engett | January 23, 2013 at 09:41 AM
Oh Paulette, this brought tears to my eyes!! What a sweet story! Congrats on your new Tilly! :) What a coincidence! She is just adorable!
Posted by: Nicole | January 23, 2013 at 09:48 AM
Oh my gosh..Tille-Roux is adorable. Love the pics of her and Sophie..DARLING. Kittens are too much fun!!
Posted by: Carolyn | January 23, 2013 at 09:54 AM
Yep, I have tears as well! Such a sweet story and I'm so glad Sophie was able to bring Tilly home! Sweet kitty!
Posted by: mary | January 23, 2013 at 10:33 AM
What a beautiful little tortie! I just had to put my kitty to sleep after 13 years and it broke my heart! She had the same black and white nose/mouth as your kitty. So happy for Sophie!
Posted by: Carol Grierson | January 23, 2013 at 10:37 AM
You're a great mom. :)
Posted by: Julie Forslev | January 23, 2013 at 10:57 AM
What a great story and a very lucky kitten. I am a cat person too.
Posted by: Michelle Glasgow | January 23, 2013 at 11:04 AM
What a sweet looking kitten!
Posted by: sew~amy | January 23, 2013 at 11:06 AM
I cried reading this. Ah, the love a girl has for her kitty. I know the feeling. Sophie's new kitten is beautiful.
Posted by: Lynn in Alabama | January 23, 2013 at 11:33 AM
Tilly-Roux is gorgeous! I'm so happy for Sophie, what a great way to surprise her.
Posted by: Vicki | January 23, 2013 at 11:33 AM
Awwww, that is a special story! Congratulations to Sophie on her new kitty! Tilly Roux is so pretty!
Posted by: Margaret | January 23, 2013 at 11:47 AM
Miss Tilly-Roux is so sweet! Loved this story!
Debbie in Kansas
Posted by: Debbie in Kansas | January 23, 2013 at 12:32 PM
Darling picture of Sophie holding Tilly in the back seat. Very special. Bless you all for adopting.
Posted by: Kate Carr | January 23, 2013 at 12:51 PM
Thank you for this sweet story, Paulette. Congratulations to the new "mum"!
Posted by: Claulem | January 23, 2013 at 01:11 PM
Blub! Yes, I'm literally tearing up here at the office!
Tilly-Roux is just adorable, as is Sophie!
(Good think asking Theresa. She is, as Dooce would say, the Valedictorian of Kittens.:)
Posted by: Kristen from MA | January 23, 2013 at 01:32 PM
Con"cat"ulations on the new furry family member. Looks like Sophie and Tilly-Roux will live "purrrr"fectly ever after! It's a beautiful thing to give a shelter animal a place in your home and heart.
Diane Grick
Silver Creek Samplers
Posted by: Diane Grick | January 23, 2013 at 01:40 PM
What a sweet little kitty. She looks like a kitty I used to have, kind of a tortoise shell calico. She will be ok with the doggies once she gets used to her surroundings. And it makes one feel so good to have rescued a kitty.
Posted by: Beth | January 23, 2013 at 02:30 PM
Oh my gosh - when you said Sophie put her hands over her face and started to cry - I put my hands over my face and I started to cry! I still have tears running down my face! I'm so happy for you Sophie - and for Tilly Two (that was my thought when I saw her name was Tilly (Tilly Two 0r Tilly Toooo) came to my mind. But I love Tilly Roux also... May she settle in with the doggies soon. Much joy to all of you with your new addition to the family...
Linda in VA
Posted by: Linda | January 23, 2013 at 02:36 PM
Awwww, I just caught myself sobbing right along with Miss Sophie! Congratulations on your new family member :D
Posted by: Terri | January 23, 2013 at 03:43 PM