We recently took in a stray cat after my lovely wife rescued him in the middle of a very cold night.

We were not looking to add a cat to our pack. Lord knows there are so many out there, but when you have a cat thrust upon you by circumstance, you answer the call.

We tried for over a month to find where he came from, with no success. We did get a couple of calls from people wanting to adopt him, but we weren’t interested in going through the vetting process to make sure little Moonlight was going to be properly taken care of. So, he joined our pack.

Postings for pet adoptions always mention whether a potential pet is good with other pets or children, and if there are and special concerns potential adopters might have to consider. In my may discussions in the store about Moonlight, I have had people involved with rescues and shelters thank me for taking him in, and our chats about how he has fit in with our pack (Leia, a mature French bulldog; and Rey, a youngish Lab) brought up some curious topics.

One rescue, I was surprised to hear, seems to have very good luck with tripods – animals who have lost a limb through accidents or disease. It turns out, that these animals are somewhat in demand because they can be lower maintenance. I am guessing It is harder to get into trouble with less mobility.

We had no idea if Moonlight would be accepted, as – other than seeing cats sauntering past the front windows – our dogs had never been exposed to the furry ball of razor blades a kitten can be. Leia and Rey were a little trepidatious about the interloper at first, but the caution quickly turned to curiosity, then into affection and play.

Leia was a rescue from what we suspect was an abusive situation, probably a breeder with little human interaction. She doesn’t understand play or toys, although she loves food and treats. She tolerates Moonlight’s presence, and Moonlight seems to love curling up with her, or nearby with a paw outstretched to maintain contact.

Rey, on the other hand, loves to play, and Moonlight’s antics often attract Rey’s attention. Moonlight enjoys pushing balls around, which Rey thinks is her job. But Rey will allow Moonlight to play, although sometimes she will take her ball and leave.

Moonlight will occasionally find a sleeping Rey and cuddle. Sometimes Rey notices, sometimes not. Regardless, she doesn’t seem to mind.

Integrating a new animal into a home can be easy, but there can also be issues. If you make your concerns known ahead of time, a rescue or shelter can make sure you get an appropriate animal and, if your fears come to be, most will make accommodations to try a different pairing that will fit better. They simply want every animal to end up in a home where they are not only safe but loved.

We weren’t looking for a cat, but the munchkin has found a place in our hearts.