My resident cat, Cosmo, lost his litter-mate to FLV when they were about a year and a half old. After a couple years of being the only cat, Cosmo was definitely showing signs of missing having a friend to play with (I was getting play-attacked on a regular basis) so I started thinking about getting him a companion. I wanted a kitten because I thought that might make their introduction a bit easier so when kitten season hit, I started the “online dating” process. I must have looked at 100 profiles of the most adorable cats. Plus, all my friends were sending me links to potential candidates but I was nervous about this whole endeavor so I kept finding excuses not to go meet any of them.

Finally, l ran out of excuses and made the decision to go to the SF SPCA and “look”. But a dear friend of mine always says you can’t window shop for kittens, so I was pretty sure I’d bring home a friend for Cosmo. I saw a couple options online that seemed promising and a friend of mine who is an SF SPCA volunteer agreed to meet me and help with the “looking”. “First dates” are always nerve wracking! I made my way through all the hallways, “speed dating” all the kittens I had seen online plus other adorable options. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel a connection to any of them. I was discouraged but I had faith that someday I’d find a love match.
Then we walked to the lobby to leave and – curled up in the front window – was a scraggly looking, 2 month old, 1.25 lb ginger kitten who had been neutered the day before and just released. He smelled like antiseptic and his fur was patchy and coarse from a ringworm incident but when he crawled up my arm and snuggled into my neck I knew I’d found the perfect match.

Finn, the polydactyl ginger kitten, came home with me that day. I started all the suggested “introduction” steps, but Cosmo quickly took matters into his own paws; he pushed open the door separating them and began their sweet bromance. Now, Finn is 2 years old, his silky fur has grown in and he and Cosmo spend all day play-attacking and snoozing. Sometimes “online dating” is the perfect way to meet your match.