National Cat Day

Everyone knows how much I adore Buddy. This cat is seriously the furry love of my life. And if you weren't already convinced that I'm becoming that crazy cat lady, just keep scrolling...

Graham & I adopted him on January 14, 2011. We saw his picture online, hauled ass over to the shelter and instantly fell in love with him. On the way home he pooped in his box (something he still does within five minutes of being in the car...) and tried to run away when we stopped at the gas station to clean it up. After that experience, Graham wasn't too sure about this whole cat thing. But once we got home and Buddy relaxed, they were both completely smitten.

Buddy is seriously an awesome cat. He's so playful, smart & affectionate. He makes the most precious noises and loves all people and (most) animals. Every time we go home to North Carolina, he has a blast playing with my mom's cat. He also gets along with Hermione & our new kitten, Charlotte, exceptionally well.

When Graham deployed on May 7, 2011, I had been in Little Rock for just over four months. I had great coworkers, and a few friends, but I was essentially alone. No family, none of my best friends, no husband. Just Buddy. We spent over six months alone together, and he became my companion. He was a constant source of comfort and companionship. He made me less lonely. I know he's not a child, but it meant everything to have a living, breathing being in our house that needed me. The day Graham left I was really down. I laid in bed all day reading and just being sad. Buddy was sad too. He came in there with me, curled up at the foot of the bed and slept all day.

This past January, we adopted a puppy. I don't think Buddy initially handled it all that well, because on January 24, he ran away. He was gone for three days, and those were the longest three days of my life. I honestly don't know how many parent handles losing a child, because my heart was absolutely broken. I cried nonstop and couldn't imagine not ever seeing those huge green eyes again.

Luckily, he did come home. And we were all thrilled to see him. Even Hermione was =)

Just a few months ago, we adopted a new kitten, Charlotte. Buddy took to her instantly. He really is the sweetest cat you'll ever meet. I know I've said this before, but every time I think about the fact that he spent some portion of his life in a cage at the shelter blows my mind. The fact that he ever ended up in a shelter to begin with really blows my mind. How could anyone not fall completely head over heels in love with him after a few seconds is unfathomable to me.

But for whatever reason, he was at that shelter, and I found him. We may have rescued him, but he truly rescued me. I don't think I would have made it through that first year in Arkansas without him, and even now I can't imagine not having him. He's traveled from Little Rock to Charlotte with us countless times, he's kept me company while I hand stenciled a quatrefoil wall. He sits on the coffee table and distracts me while I'm working on crafty things. He steals food. He sits on the side of the tub while I take my bubble bath every night. He paws at the door like a madman when he wants outside. He lets me dress him up. He's the perfect cat and I implore everyone to head to a shelter and find yourself a cat you will hopefully love as much as we love him.