December 2012 (almost January 2013), I convinced A that I needed to have a pet to welcome me home, and to give me a reason to go home and not work 12+ hour days. After much searching, and multiple visits to the various sites Columbia Second Chance had cats, I (on a fluke) found my perfect feline companion.
Miss Muffet was at the CSC Adoption Center outside of Columbia on I-70, but in a "quarantined" room because she was having stomach issues. However, I didn't know the room was one full of cats not ready to be adopted! She was so calm, friendly, and soft that I felt bad leaving! I was a little nervous, as I had started my search a little early and was worried she (or one of the others I liked) would be adopted out before I was able to take A with me to meet all of them.
My fears were a little warranted; of the seven I had wanted A to meet, four of them were adopted a month later when I took him to meet them. We started at PetSmart, and nearly adopted one there on the spot. She was friendly and playful, but I was worried she was a little too playful for my long-hour lifestyle. We headed out to the Adoption Center and little Miss Muffet appeared to remember me as she came and sat on my lap and purred her little heart out. I'm not sure if A liked her more, or just knew that I loved her, but we decided to take her home with us.
It took her a bit to warm up to us, and to some extent, I think she's still learning that she has a safe and loving home with us, but I like to think she's happy. We spent almost seven months in Columbia together, before I drugged her and moved her two states--a feat which she did not enjoy.
However, another eight months later, she seems to be quite happy and settled; she's got too many toys, meals on a regular schedule, and even a screened in deck to enjoy the outdoors.
We're all pretty lucky.
