Backstory: Many many years ago (15 years ago to be exact), my daughter had a “summer camp” at the NH SPCA. At the end of the camp, campers got a free adoption. We ended up adopting my sweet, sweet girl, Alice. Alice was part Maine Coon, who was very loving, but not a lap cat. She would run and hide in the basement when people came over, but once she warmed up, she would snuggle up next to you. I could go on and on about her, but this is just supposed to be backstory.

Fast forward to December 2022 when I decided that Alice needed a companion. A friend had reposted an SPCA post about an adorable black cat, that they called a “spirit cat”, Gwen. They said she was shy and quiet, would likely never be a lap cat. Might always hide. Black cats have a harder time getting adopted. So between that and the fact that she seemed like a good fit for Alice, I wanted to adopt her. Did I mention that SPCA was in Springfield, MA and three hours away? I called to see if she was still available, she was, so we drove out. We arrived to find that she was sick and would need to stay a bit longer at the shelter. I left and came back a week later to pick her up. Brought her home, and almost instantly she blossomed. She crawled into my lap and became my snuggle bunny.

From left to right: Gwen at the shelter, Gwen shortly after we brought her home, Gwen now (the hair glow up!)

I went very slowly to introduce Gwen and Alice as I didn’t want any issues. Unfortunately right around the time they were fully integrated, Alice was diagnosed with kidney issues and we had to let her go. A part of me feels like I somehow subconsciously knew which is why I felt such a need to get Gwen. Having Gwen made letting go of Alice slightly less painful.

Anyway, I didn’t mean for this to be a sad story, fast forward again to present day and I once again decided that my cat needed a companion. I often see SPCA posts in my feed, and up popped a small, black cat named Swerve. I immediately clicked on it only to find that they could be a perfect match for us.

I was ok going from one cat to two cats. Could I go from one cat to THREE cats? That’s definitely crazy cat lady territory. I talked to a friend with four cats. I did some research. It seemed like I could do this. Just to be sure, I waited a week. Maybe someone would adopt them, if they were still there in a week, then they were meant for me.

Caliente on the left. Swerve on the right. These pics are from the SPCA listings for them.

Day 0 – Sunday

I went to the SPCA (thankfully the one in Stratham, 15 minutes away rather than 3 hours) to see Caliente and Swerve. The staff let me know that Swerve had come from a hoarding situation. Caliente was feral, not at all friendly, and would need a lot of socialization. They were brought in separately. Swerve was brought in with another cat, Ocho, but Ocho got adopted. Swerve and Caliente bonded together. While they are fearful of humans, they found comfort in each other. So the SPCA said they could be adopted separately, but they’d prefer to keep them together. The staff was very excited when I said I was there to see Caliente and Swerve. They updated my application (from 2011) and then took me to see them.

They were in their own small room, sat together inside a cat tree.

(Caliente is on the left, and that side eye looks a lot like Gwen looked at the shelter!)

Swerve hissed at the employee as we entered. The staff member had a churu treat that she put on a long spoon to give to them. Swerve gave a low growl. We talked a bit, and the employee left and I talked to the cats. Swerve changed position and put his rear legs out towards me. I tentatively reached out and he let me pet them! I later mentioned that to a staff member and she squealed. She said the best she had gotten was being allowed to give a small nose boop.

After the success of a pet, I left the room to tell the staff I wanted to adopt them. Every single staff member I talked to was thrilled that I was adopting them. One even called out to another staff member to let them know Caliente and Swerve were getting a new home. As I said black cats are less likely to get adopted and shy/spicy cats are also less likely. Black spicy cats, especially TWO of them together, would likely be there a long time.

I filled out the paper work and paid (because they were companions, I only had to pay for one). Right after paperwork was done, a staff member came out and said they were sick. Deja vu. As it was Sunday, their vet was not in and Monday we were expecting a big blizzard, so they wouldn’t get seen until Tuesday. I assumed this meant I wouldn’t get to take them home at least until Friday.

I was disappointed. After meeting them, I just wanted to bring them home. I also hilariously kept feeling like they’d get adopted by someone else. Here I was wanting to adopt the un-adoptable, and I was afraid somehow someone would swoop in and take them from me. I took that as a sign to show just how much I really did want them. I reassured myself and said Friday would be good, it would give me time to order some new/extra supplies.

Stay tuned for Day 1!