Rosie, Poppy, and Ollie have brought a whole new perspective to our family, for which we are incredibly grateful. Three years ago, my oldest daughter, then 9, had been yearning for a cat to fill the void left by our beloved tuxedo rescue cat, who had passed away. Diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder at a young age, my daughter’s daily struggles were profoundly impacted by this condition. Hoping that our rescue golden retriever, Lucy, would help her cope, we welcomed her into our family two years ago. While Lucy brought joy and warmth into our lives, she was unable to provide the support that my daughter needed.
My daughter started volunteering at our local animal shelter, dedicating her time to help out. Initially, she found it challenging to be around the animals due to her disorder. The sights, sounds, and smells overwhelmed her, making her hesitant to return, despite her love for animals. After making some adjustments, she found her place among the animals, particularly the endearing cats. She gravitated towards the cats that were often overlooked by visitors – the elderly, the aloof, or the less conventionally attractive ones. It seemed like she connected with them on a deeper level, accepting them for who they were, flaws and all. Despite their issues that made them unsuitable for homes with other pets or children, she always made sure to spend time with them.
After some time had passed, her longing for a cat had grown stronger, so I suggested that she conduct some research to find a cat breed that would be a good fit for our family (suitable for children, other pets, friendly, etc.). I assured her that we would make an effort to adopt a cat from a shelter that met the criteria she had identified. Following her investigation, she presented me with a list of the top five breeds that aligned with those characteristics. Can you believe that her top pick was a Sphynx?
I have to say, I initially reacted negatively when she mentioned it. Maybe it was because of the way Sphinx cats are portrayed in movies and TV shows (like Mr. Bigglesworth from “Austin Powers” and Rachel’s cat on “Friends”). I kept my opinion to myself and let her explain why she thought a Sphinx would be a good addition to our family. She had put together a convincing presentation, complete with a website she created about Sphinx cats. I asked her if their appearance was important to her, and she said it was more about their personality than their looks. This resonated with her, as she doesn’t conform to traditional ideas of how a girl should dress and has faced teasing because of it.
After hearing her out, I suggested we ask her mentor at the shelter if they had ever come across hairless cats. Unfortunately, we were told that the chances of finding a Sphinx at the shelter were slim to none. We contacted several shelters in the area, but received the same response. I promised her I would check local classifieds to see if anyone was looking for a home for a Sphinx. Luckily, I found a listing from someone who had taken in their daughter’s pregnant Sphinx cat and was looking for homes for the kittens.
I had never laid eyes on a Sphynx cat before, but I assured my daughter (and myself) that I would approach the visit with an open mind. And let me tell you, it was like love at first sight when I met Ollie, our Sphynx boy. His large eyes touched my heart, and his oversized ears brought a continuous smile to my face. I just knew he had to become a part of our family. Ever since Ollie came into our lives, my daughter has experienced a newfound sense of joy. Her symptoms seemed to diminish significantly. Instantly forming a bond with Ollie, my daughter has become his biggest supporter. She goes above and beyond in caring for him, fulfilling the role of a true mother to him. From bathing him and feeding him to planning his birthday parties, she is there for him in every possible way. She comforts him during storms and showers him with praise every single day.
Olly has completely won over our family, especially my eldest daughter, turning them into passionate advocates for Sphynx cats. My daughter proudly sports a backpack with Olly’s name on it to school, and even in the face of negative comments about her unique bald cat, she remains composed and educates others on the misconceptions about these animals being “scary and mean.”
After spending some time with Olly, my daughter expressed her desire for a feline companion for him, believing he would benefit from the company. This led us to Snowy, a white kitten with two different colored eyes that my daughter had encountered while volunteering at a shelter. We visited Snowy and instantly fell in love, deciding to adopt her into our family. Unfortunately, we later discovered that Snowy had a genetic condition that would tragically shorten her life.
Snowy had only been a part of our family for a few months when we noticed a sudden change in her behavior – she became very tired and her nose lost its usual color. In a panic, we rushed her to the vet, who advised us to take her to the emergency animal hospital. Unfortunately, on the way there, Snowy passed away in my husband’s arms. We were told that she had a genetic condition, and there was nothing we could have done to prevent her passing. The news left us crushed and utterly devastated. The kind person who had mentored my daughter at the shelter shared that other cats from the same litter had also succumbed to the same condition. It was a comfort to know that we had given Snowy the best care and love during her brief time with us.
After losing Snowy, we were unsure about getting another cat because our hearts were still healing. Eventually, we decided to start searching again, this time looking through local classifieds for another Sphynx. Ollie, who was struggling without his feline friend, needed a companion. I stumbled upon a listing for a pregnant Sphynx cat that reminded me of Ollie’s situation. The photos didn’t reveal much, so I visited the owner and was surprised to find a tiny pink kitten with mismatched eyes. The resemblance to Snowy gave me chills, and I knew I had to bring her home. And that’s how we welcomed Rosie into our family!
Once she settled in, she quickly became an integral part of our family. The happiness Ollie brought with her arrival was undeniable. Over time, Rosie and Ollie happily welcomed a litter of kittens into our home. Despite our reluctance to part with any of them, we knew it was time to share the love with others. Rosie and Poppy quickly formed a strong bond, solidifying her place in our home from the very beginning.
Rosie and Ollie have brought so much happiness into our lives that I decided to create an Instagram account just for them. My goal was to show my daughters that even though their pets may not be considered “typical” pets, they can still receive love and appreciation from others. Seeing the overwhelmingly positive responses to their pictures not only brings a smile to my daughters’ faces but also serves as a wonderful source of positivity for me, especially since I struggle with bouts of depression.
Having the ability to foresee the future, I never could have imagined that I would be so deeply involved in the lives of our cats. They have become a significant part of our family, and looking back, I realize that they are truly a labor of love. Initially, it may be challenging to see past the unconventional appearance of a Sphynx cat. However, I believe that if someone took the time to learn about this unique breed and interact with one, they would have a newfound appreciation for them. My hope is that Sphynx cats will be recognized for their true nature – loving, playful, intelligent, and gentle, instead of being misunderstood and misrepresented.
Feel free to contribute your own content to Bored Panda. Start sharing your writing today! And don’t forget to connect with us on Google News for the latest updates.
