We drove home with Cloe. She Who Must Be Obeyed and the Oldest Jungle Boy were happily chatting about how much fun it would be to have a kitty in the house again. They were making plans about little box placement, food and how the kitty would get along with the dogs.

I was mostly silent. I couldn’t help thinking of Matilda being left in the cage for another night…or even worse…her being adopted by someone who was not worthy of Malitda. You see, when our eyes met, I knew Matilda was a very special kitty. However, she would need special attention and love to bring out her full potential. She needed me as much as I needed her.

We got home and let Cloe out of the carrier. Cloe took one look at the dogs and ran up stairs. As it turns out, it was going to take Cloe some time to get used to the dogs.

We started dinner but I had no appetite. I couldn’t believe I had left Matilda behind. She could sense that I was unhappy and finally asked me what was wrong.

“I need Matilda!!!”, I blurted out, “And Matilda needs me!!!”

She told me to call the animal rescue people right away and tell them we were going to get Matilda in the morning…assuming Matilda hadn’t been adopted after we left.

My hands were shaking as I dialed the number. What I Matilda had been adopted? How would I ever find her?

The wife of the nice man at the pet place answered the phone. “I am the man who just adopted Cloe”, I exclaimed, “I need Matilda!!!!”

The phone was silent for a second and then the lady said, “My husband told me you would be calling tonight. Matilda is all yours.”

God Bless America.

Enjoy!