February 2006, I was driving down Portage Avenue and passed D'Arcy's ARC. At this point in time, I had never been in but recalled hearing of the ARC. With some time to spare and two kids in tow, we stopped in to see what the ARC was all about. I come from a long line of pet-lovers and have passed that trait onto my children. Two sets of blue eyes stared pleadingly up at me "PLEASE CAN WE GET ANOTHER CAT?" With two senior cats at home I said that it would not be fair to introduce a new family member; our cats were old and set in their ways and who knew what Dad would say.

 

We snuggled some kitties and left empty handed. That night at home, all I could talk about at bedtime was the ARC. My husband listened patiently, especially about a "little black cat who was missing a foot.. you know dear... the perfect ones will get adopted... what about him?"  The discussion turned into "2 cats are enough here."

Needless to say, two days later, that little 3 footed bundle was in my car and on his way to his new home!  Rio, (formerly known as Aubrey) as my son named him, was an adventurous  addition to our family. It took quite awhile for our seniors to adjust to him, and maybe they never fully will. In turn, it took Rio quite some time to adjust to us. I don't know what kind of start he had in his life, but it took almost a year for him to fully understand that this was home, that he was wanted here, that it was safe and warm and there would always be food. The first year he was sneaking food off our plates which earned him the nickname "Moochie".

 

We discovered that Rio had originally come from the WHS (and was scheduled to be euthenized) but the staff at the ARC took him as one of their shelter pets and we are so grateful for that.

 

I love to see him come hopping along to greet me, snuggling with the kids, hearing him purr or to see him sleep curled up warm and content. Thanks to all of you who dedicate your time and love to each and every furry face that comes through your doors.

 

- Toni, Guy, Noah and Natalie