I went to the SPCA, where only one cat caught my attention. He reminded me of my former Himalayan cat, Sahara. He was housed separately from the other cats beneath a sign that read, “CANNOT BE ADOPTED WITH OTHER CATS.”

I was so frustrated with the cat living at my house. She didn’t like me and wasn’t mine, yet she prevented me from adopting the cat I wanted.

The SPCA had several black cats in its cat room. I planned to return and choose one if I didn’t find a cat after visiting a few rescue organizations. I love black cats and cannot understand why they are so difficult to adopt. Shangri-La was a black cat.

The first rescue organization I visited was temporarily housing its animals inside the thrift store it also operated. Some animals were living in foster homes while the rescue built a new facility, but three cats were available at the store.

I first asked to meet the long-haired cat, but he wasn’t the one for me. I had large dogs at home, and when he saw the rescue’s dogs, he panicked.

Then I asked to meet the tuxedo cat. A man picked him up, and the cat wrapped his paws around him in a hug. I immediately fell in love and took him home. Now I receive all his hugs.

We bonded instantly, although he needed a little time to warm up to the other animals in the house. It soon became clear that he was also a thief. He would stroll into my room, snatch a stuffed animal, and casually walk away. Running would have been beneath such a cheeky cat.

He eventually gave up his thieving ways, but he remains just as cheeky. It has now been ten years, and my second choice was definitely the better choice. His name is Singapore.