This has been such a great thread to read -- such great posts.
I adopted my first cat, Magic, in 1998. Magic was a bold spirit who loved when people came over to visit. Magic went to the Rainbow Bridge in the spring of 2013...fortunately he was not sick for very long. I was quite upset.
A few months later, I saw Molly's photo on a local animal rescue web site. Molly was 10 was when I adopted her in the summer of 2013. She is is much shier than Magic was, but she is a sweet kitty. Now that I can work from home one day a week, Molly is my supervisor on those days
.
Molly rescued me just as much as I rescued her.
Many of my family members have adopted cats and dogs from shelters and rescue groups. I heartily recommend adoption to anyone looking for a furry family member to love.