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This Man Went To The Shelter To Adopt A Dog And Was Instead Chosen By A Kitty

Sophia
by Sophia
1 Jun 2018

He went to the shelter looking for a dog, but a tiny cat ended up changing his plans in the sweetest way possible. Sometimes the pet you think you want is not the one that walks out with you.

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During a snowstorm in Virginia, an Imgur user stopped by Richmond Animal League hoping to adopt a dog, only to find that all the dogs had already been taken. What happened next turned a simple shelter visit into a story about a cat named Marbles, later renamed Barb, who clearly knew how to make an impression.

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By the time he left, he had a new best friend and a completely different idea of what home would look like. Read on.

Man visits animal shelter, meeting a cat that chooses him
Imgur
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"I was in Virginia for some training. At that specific time, a pretty large snowstorm was blowing through. When I was on my way home, I heard on the radio that a shelter called Richmond Animal League was looking for temporary or permanent homes for all of their animals, as the staff expected to get snowed in," Spamwisejamkey, an Imgur user, said.

He was living all by himself at that time and had been thinking a lot about getting a furry friend, mainly a dog. But when he got to the animal shelter, all the dogs had already been adopted.

"It was great, but I couldn't bring myself to simply leave without even considering what I had gone there for."

So, he was taken to the little kitty room. "The woman who was working saw that I wasn't really moved by any of these potential housemates, so she showed me back out to the lobby where they had some younger animals separated in cages."

Orange and white cat perched on a shelf, relaxing at home
Facebook

But there was one kitty named Marbles who was in a cage in the back of the room, and the woman told him he could hold her if he wanted to.

"I opened the cage, picked her up, and that was it. She started meowing the most pathetic little chirps as she pushed her face to the brim of my cap (this is when they got the picture), only to be accompanied by a rumble of purring. I turned into a huge sap," he said.

"I didn't like or ever want cats before this. Simply put, I shook my head with a nod of acceptance, put her back in the cage for a brief moment while I did the paperwork, and got ready to take her home. They didn't have pups, but they did have my best bud. I was not a cat guy, but I guess you could say I'm a cat guy now."

Since then, he has renamed his kitty to Barb.

"This is where Barb likes to hang when I get home."

"This is where Barb likes to hang when I get home."
Imgur

Barb is now one beautiful and feisty kitty. "She is definitely the matriarch of the household as she keeps all of the other creatures in check. A cuddler and purrer for sure. She still acts like a needy little kitten - she loves all people."

That “I went for one pet, and left with a surprise” moment is the same kind of chaos as these TikTok users’ adoption stories that will wreck you.

Cat lounging in a favorite spot, looking toward the doorway
Imgur

About six months after he adopted Barb, he adopted a dog named Rupert. Barb took him immediately under her wing to show him the ropes, and now they are simply inseparable.

"They are always playing or snuggling when they aren't snuggled up to us."

Shelter room scene with volunteers, a cat approaching a visiting man
Imgur

"Now Barbara and I are best buds, accompanied by my pup, Rupert, along with my girlfriend and her two cats, Bruce and Joe. It's a good life."

It has been two years since he adopted Barb, and we wish them the happiest and most lovable future together. 

Close view of the chosen kitty, calm expression and alert ears
Imgur

Want more of that “adoption day went totally sideways” joy, like these 40 pet adoptions? See the inspiring pet adoption tales and heartwarming images.

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