Aria & Gato

 

Aria and Gato met last January when I brought Aria home to keep Gato company. Gato had been very lonely before that and had been sick to his stomach. He was normally very healthy and happy but had seemed rather blue for several days and then, one day, started vomiting every few hours. I took him to see Dr. Horn right away and all of the medical tests had normal results so there was no specific explanation for his illness. I knew in my heart that he was depressed and needed a friend to love and spend time with. I could just feel it. A few days later, at Gato’s follow up appointment, I noticed the sign at the desk that said they had cats for adoption. After much thought, I asked Becky if they currently had any cats in need of a home to which she replied ‘we have just one little girl!’ My excitement grew and I asked if I could see her. One little girl :)

There she was, the cutest little calico I had ever seen. She was happy and anxious with lots to say (hence the name Aria which was given to her by the OVVH staff) and immediately crawled onto me and started purring loudly. I held her and felt joy in my heart at the thought of taking her home. I asked Becky to reserve her for me and said I’d think it over for a couple of days and be back then. Gato had been my only cat from the time I’d adopted him from a neighbor 4 years ago, and we were (and are) extremely close, so I wanted to feel sure that adding someone new to our home was in his best interest. I was the third person to reserve Aria, reportedly, and she had been there for a month after having been found in a grocery store parking lot nearby. I thought about it very seriously and prayed for a sign that it was right. Meanwhile, I found it ironic and funny that their names when blended together were “Ari-Gato” and was reminded of that 80’s song by Styx called Mr. Roboto in which ‘Domo Ari-Gato’ is a primary phrase (meaning thank you very much in Japanese-from what I understand). Three days later, I got in my car to go see Aria again and just as I did, Mr. Roboto was on the radio (which is very rare!) and the exact phrase at that moment was “thank you very much for helping me escape just when I needed to! Thank you!” There it was! The sign I’d asked for was as clear as could be and only confirmed what I’d already felt in my heart, which was that she was meant to be with us. I couldn’t get there fast enough to pick her up! I was so happy and excited! I stopped at Pet Co and got her a special bed, some new toys and a collar to make her homecoming extra special.

From the moment Ari (as we call her) walked in to our lives and hearts she’s been cheerful, loving and sweet. The first thing she did when we arrived home was to march right over to the toy basket and start rolling around in it-head first! Her favorite toys are the ones with feathers on them. (Gato’s favorites are the mylar balls and he’s crazy about catnip!). It only took a few hours for Gato to accept her and by the next morning, she was bathing his head so I knew all was well. They are playmates, sweethearts and friends. Gato loves to cuddle with her and she is never very far from where he is. They have their own special language between them and seem to converse quite a bit. Gato is serious and pensive; always keeping a watchful eye over both of us. He’s very regal and devoted. He always lets her eat first: Such a little gentleman! And, in case you were wondering, sure enough, Gato perked up after she arrived and wasn’t sick anymore! Having them is such a blessing to me and I couldn’t have asked for a happier ending!

Thank you Dr. Horn, Becky and staff for everything!