In July 2004, we decided to adopt a cat. Our original intention was to get an older cat, but when we went to the adoption center to look for one, a tiny grey kitten crawled into Prakash’s lap, snuggled up against him, and began to purr. The little kitten instantly won him over and we decided that he was destined to be our kitty.

When we told the volunteers that we wanted to adopt the grey kitten, they told us that he had one remaining littermate and asked if we’d consider adopting them both. When we saw the other kitty, also small and grey, hiding in the corner and terrified of all of the people milling about, we couldn’t possibly say no. Our plan of adopting an older cat had changed into the reality of adopting two five-month-old kittens. We named them Peja and Denby and brought them home a few days later.

Peja is still the most loveable kitty you’ll ever meet. He loves to cuddle and give kisses, and he wakes Lisa up every morning by crawling onto her pillow to be pet as soon as the alarm goes off.

Denby is still shy around strangers, but around people he knows, he’s a little drama king. He likes to meow and roll over to get his belly rubbed. One of his favorite activities is to be launched upside down from Prakash’s shoulder onto the bed or couch, where he’ll then lay patiently waiting to be pet.

Both of our kitties enjoy sleeping, eating, and stealing our socks. They’re sweet, gentle, loving creatures, and we couldn’t imagine our lives without them.