Lacy Lommasson

A little over a year ago, we lost our 17-year-old cat, Lucy. She was the most affectionate, loving cat we’d ever had and was especially attached to my husband. When we finally had to let her go because of her severe health problems, we both wept and felt her loss keenly.

We decided to wait a year before adopting another cat. We knew no cat could ever be anything like Lucy, and we needed time to grieve.

Finally, we felt ready and drove to the Humane Society. I’d just had lunch with a cat-loving friend who advised, “Sometimes the cat will pick you.”

And that’s exactly what happened. When we entered “Cat Room Two” which housed older cats at the adoption center, a small gray cat reached her paws out to us through the bars of her cage. And when we took her out of the cage, she was eager to interact with us and play.

We immediately noticed her rear end looked almost bald. The adoption counselor explained that “Rhino” had been so freaked out by the numerous pets and children in her previous home that she was biting off her own fur! Her previous owner had finally decided to return her because she simply couldn’t get along with her other pets and children.

“Do you have any other pets?” the counselor asked.

“No.”

“How about children?”

“No again. We’re empty nesters.”

Satisfied that we were good bets for a cat that needed a home, she gave us forms to fill out and an information packet. Each time another staff member passed by, the counselor yelled out, “Rhino is getting adopted!” as though a small miracle had just occurred.

Apparently, “Rhino,” whom we’ve since renamed “Lacy Lommasson,” was viewed as an unlikely candidate for adoption. But she picked us, and we picked her. We needed a cat to love and be part of our family, and she needed a home.

Feeling so grateful for this special New Year’s gift.