When I got together with my now ex-husband, we each had one cat. Mine was affectionate and followed me throughout the house. His cat, named Squirrel because of her gray fur, hid beneath the furniture and hissed whenever anyone came near her.
Photo: Suzanne Delle
Soon after we combined our households, my feline companion of 13 years died. His death left a hole in my heart, but I hoped Miss Squirrel might relax and warm up to me once she was the only cat.
Unfortunately, she did not. She was truly my husband’s cat.
For Christmas, I decided to adopt a kitten who would be my companion. A friend of my mother rescued feral kittens and posted their photographs on a website. I began what felt like online dating for a kitten, and a six-month-old black boy named Widget caught my eye.
As soon as the sweet, even-tempered Widget entered our lives, Squirrel began seeking positive attention. It was almost as though she saw how much love I gave Widget and realized she wanted some too.