HOUSTON – If you‘re reading this, then you‘re probably already familiar with the story behind this article and you’re already familiar with the steps it took for me to get this far. Thank you for sticking around.
Recommended Videos
I took off a little early from work so I could head to El Gato Coffeehouse for a “sleepover.” If you read my previous article, you‘ll know the “sleepover” is basically me having the furbaby I was hoping to adopt, Zelda, for a trial period of seven days. That way, she can get acclimated and comfortable but ultimately decide if we truly wanted to adopt her.
PART 2: Second steps of getting a cat from Houston’s first, only cat cafe
When I got there, I realized I didn‘t have my carrier with me to transport Zelda, but luckily they loaned me a temporary cardboard one. I signed one last form accepting responsibility for her and they scanned my driver’s license — again, per protocol.
Finally, the big moment, when I walked in with one of the workers to take Zelda home. It was a Tuesday afternoon, so there weren‘t as many people around as the weekend (naturally) but I was able to find Zelda immediately. She was on someone else’s lap, relaxing! I know, the traitor, right?
Don’t worry, the adoption coordinators told them Zelda (formerly known as Cholula) was coming with me and they were excited. One of the managers, Hannah, who was assisting wanted to snap a photo of me holding Zelda, and something about her in my hands, felt so familiar. Without even thinking, I tilted Zelda (like a baby, the way I used to with Scratchy) so I could look at her face and when our eyes met, I saw my little girl again. My heart melted and I was taken back to the last time I held my baby before she passed away.
Yeah, I cried.
And right before we walked out, I told the kind folks at El Gato Coffeehouse Zelda was mine and wouldn’t be coming back.
We got home and I placed Zelda in my home office/man cave if you will, so she could get comfortable and not have to interact with my other cat Raja, and dog Sofia.
She hid under my sofa most of the time, after exploring a little, but I left some food for her. Zelda didn’t actually come out until about two hours later when my wife came home. Then she was super cuddly and got on this little scratching post my father-in-law bought for Scratchy.
On top of looking and behaving like Scratchy, we’re well aware Zelda is going to exhibit her own personality and quirks but it certainly feels like we’re reunited with our baby. It’s like she’s a long-lost relative or something, and with everything we experienced with her leading up to having her at home, we can’t be blamed for how we feel. If anything, it’s like Zelda allowing us to reconnect with Scratchy in this new body. I don’t know if that makes sense, but hopefully, you get where I’m coming from.
We briefly let her and Raja meet; I didn’t take a photo of it in case things went sideways, but they just sniffed each other for a while. I wonder if Raja was taken aback because Zelda looks so much like Scratchy. Then I brought in Sofia, and she just laid there (like the good girl she is) while Zelda walked around her — perhaps wondering what kind of cat she is.
Now the only thing left is for her to adjust and hopefully get comfortable. For the most part, she seems to be adjusting just fine and my wife is already head over heels for her. I’ve walked in and seen them taking little naps together when Zelda isn’t purring, exploring, or making biscuits. I haven’t been able to spend as much time with Zelda just because I’m letting them have their moment.
As of this writing, we have about five more days until the “sleepover” period is over, but it seems like things will be OK and we can keep her. I already made up my mind and told the kind folks at El Gato Coffeehouse they’re not getting her back so it’s just a matter of time and paperwork.
If you stuck around this long, then I am eternally grateful to you, and for now, you may consider this a happy ending.