Say Hello To George Washington Edwards

Can we get a cat?

This has been a discussion around here for quite some time around here and you know the story of the reason why the answer has usually been no. When your Dad and I were first married we had two cats (Jack and Everest) until we learned, right after you were born, that he had an allergy to them (along with dust mites & molds) which required surgery to remove polyps in his sinuses. Our beloved cats found new homes (it was tremendously sad but the right thing at the time considering your Dad’s health) and we went on with our new life with you.

Fast forward just about 10 years. With the change in our family situation the possibility of getting a cat became a reality. You’ve always loved cats and you’ve always disliked dogs (you’re definitely okay with Lily as our family dog, but you’re not much of a dog fan in general). Over the last few months you and Anna and I went on a couple outings to Greenhill Humane Society and Petsmart (rescues) to visit the cats. The way you interacted with the cats each time was a great indication that you would be a really wonderful cat owner.

As the calendar turned to 2012 I felt like it was a good time to make this real.

Anna, Katie, you, Daddy, and I ventured out to Greenhill on Monday, January 2nd with the intent of letting you choose a new family member. The experience was magic. Watching you interact with the cats & kittens was magic. You were beaming and smiling and giggling and singing lullabies to the kittens as they fell asleep on your lap. You played with a bunch of different cats before narrowing it down to 9-month old “Chance” (George's name before you changed it). He was playful but would also sit happily with you in your lap. You walked up to me and said, “Can we adopt Chance?”

It was so cool to have Katie and Daddy there too. The three of us loved watching you interact with all the cats - there were many teared-up-eye moments as we saw you begin to narrow down the choices and chat with the cats and just shine in that space.

We talked with the volunteers about “Chance” and read about him in their book. I wanted to make sure that whoever came home with us could be both a fun, playful cat and a really good lounger. He sure seemed to be the one.

So we said yes. Let’s do it. And one more time, “Simon, is this who you want to bring home.” It was a very big yes all around.

The whole experience was just awesome. We had stopped at Petsmart on the way out to Greenhill and picked up all the necessities so we’d be ready if we found the right cat. Once you decided on Chance your Dad went out to the car to bring in the carrier and I started on the paperwork for the adoption. You were so, so excited.

On the way home from Greenhill you held Chance in your lap in his carrier and talked to him. He was amazing in the car - almost no meowing.

It was in the car that you decided on his new name. You had been thinking about it previously (you’d told us so) and at first you said you wanted to name him “Furry.” Katie and Daddy and I all laughed and you laughed and then we suggested some other names saying that we like to name our pets with “people” names. Daddy suggested a few and one of them was George. A few seconds later you said, “I know! I know! His name is George.” Later that night you would call Dad and tell him that his full name is now “George Washington Edwards.”

When we arrived home we took George up to your room in his carrier and gave the two of you some private time to get acquainted while we made lunch. When lunch was ready I came up to you room and you had him out of his carrier and he was sniffing around you are were just plain giddy.

We did a gentle introduction to the rest of the house and to Lily. Lily pretty much went the other way when she saw him. It’s now a week later and they seem to be just fine (I’m pretty sure they will be cuddling up together soon).

George is an amazing cat. He is a people cat. He wants to hang out with you while you play legos and sit with you while you watch tv. When you are at school he follows me around as I work and go from room to room (just like Lily - the two of them are never far from me). He slept on your bed that first night (and took a nap with you on my bed) and the second night you got a little nervous when he was being really playful under your bed (he gets playful right before bed - kinda like your sister). He slept with me the second night and since then has gone back and forth between our rooms.

He fits right in. I’m so happy that he’s a part of our family and love that you have a new special friend. This is just the beginning of a whole new story.


TELL THE STORY | See how I added this story to my Project Life 2012 (Week One) using my new 6x12 Words & Photos Layered Templates in a post later this week.

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159 thoughts

  1. Anita says…
    01/09/2012

    Simon will always treasure this story, told so beautifully by you.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. dawn says…
    01/09/2012

    I love this story and am soooo happy for Simon. The name is a perfect one also. Looking forward to hearing more about George and how great that he will be in the Project Life this year. Great way to capture the whole years journey with him.

    Hope Lily warms up with George and they become friends. We've had Lucky for over and year now and still chases the cat.

    GO SIMON GO!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Kim says…
    01/09/2012

    Awesome; so happy for Simon! My 10 year old son has been asking for a cat also and he is a huge lover of Legos. I think he and Simon would be friends if they ever met.

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Ilona says…
    01/09/2012

    A big hello to George Washington Edwards!!! What a lovely story to remember! It's so nice to read how Simon an George interact! Thank you very much for sharing! I'm happy for Simon! :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Linda L says…
    01/09/2012

    Oh how wonderful for Simon Ali....that's just beautiful.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Toni From says…
    01/09/2012

    So excited for Simon. Great story telling Ali, what a wonderful keepsake for many years to come. btw, I just started digital scrapbooking and had so much fun playing with your digital brushes last night, the brushes and you are simply AMAZING! Thank you!

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Susie Leggett says…
    01/09/2012

    What an awesome experience for Simon and your family. So happy for him. I'm pretty sure that George is going to love being a part of your warm and loving family.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Fiona says…
    01/09/2012

    So beautiful Ali ... it's funny how sometimes separation actually allows for some "different/great" changes too (well that was the way it was with my kids anyway!). George Washington Edwards looks like a fine fellow indeed and it's so wonderful that Simon gets his heart's desire. :-)

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Eveline van Heijst says…
    01/09/2012

    Wonderful story. I'm so happy for Simon to have picked such a great pet.
    My cat died 2 years ago and I miss her, she was 14 years old. We have a big dog but I'm not a dog person either. I would love to have a new cat.
    Eveline.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. christen says…
    01/09/2012

    we are cat lovers at our house! so happy for you.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Neelu says…
    01/09/2012

    your stories warm me up :))

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. char says…
    01/09/2012

    Cat lovers here too! Beautifully told ALi. This is a story to treasure.

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Diana says…
    01/09/2012

    We took in a little kitten that was left at our home when we moved in. It was amazing at how short amount of time it took for her to adapt to the house, find her bed and make friends with our 2 dogs! George will be cuddled up with Lily in no time!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. nerdgrl says…
    01/09/2012

    Love that George has an historic name (since I am a history teacher). It's a great story; one that Simon will treasure through the years. May he and the rest of your family have many many happy years with George Washington Edwards!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Lisa W. says…
    01/09/2012

    Go Simon Go!! Nothing like a new pet...they are SO much part of your family:) Congradulations and good luck with your new venture!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Juli says…
    01/09/2012

    Great story Ali! It's so wonderful that the changes in your life are leading to some happy things. I'm sure Simon is over the moon. He's so lucky to have you as his mom!

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Jennifer M says…
    01/09/2012

    Love this so much. Wonderful story to start my day.

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Helen says…
    01/09/2012

    Gorgeous story Ali .... My kids have always had their own pets - I think it teaches responsibility in such a great way ... Cats are the best :)
    Good luck with George W !

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Janet K says…
    01/09/2012

    ooh Ali, I just love this story! I am so happy for you all, I think George is just great for you. We got a new kitten the week before Christmas, and he has been so wonderful and fun!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. A. Sanborn says…
    01/09/2012

    Congratulations on your new Edwards family member, Simon! How fitting his name was "Chance"... I'd say that's precisely what your doing... giving George a new chance at a wonderful life!

    Male tuxedo cats are very lovey! Awesome choice on both yours and George's parts!

    We have Manx {less than 3" tail to NO tail} cats. Our female, Moxie is almost five and our male, Mortimer will be two on Cinco de Mayo Day! {my apologies if mispelled}

    Enjoy!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. jamie says…
    01/09/2012

    Your story telling...amazing. A lovely memory indeed. And how I adore that name.

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Viv Halliwell says…
    01/09/2012

    Fabulous memory he will be telling George all his stories

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Diana says…
    01/09/2012

    Ali, when you post about using your 6x12 templates, can you mention what size paper you use? I just bought the new wide format Epson, but I am hesitant to purchase the big 13x19 paper to cut down. Its so expensive. Would like to know when you print on photo paper vs cardstock? Its a big price difference. I also saw that Epson now sells a 12x12 photo paper, but its $2 a sheet!

    Reply 2 Replies
    1. Ali says…
      01/09/2012

      Hi Diana - yes, I'll include that info. When printing out this one I used the 13x19 because there is a front and a back (so essentially a 12x12). I use photo paper for photos (vs. cardstock).

    2. Raylene says…
      01/09/2012

      I have had my large format printer for years and I LOVE It! You can print any size paper. You just go into properties and paper sizes. You can customize any size you like! I love it! I like the 13x19 size for printing a LOT of photos, just move them together . . . I think I can get (16) 6x4 or (18) 3x4 on one sheet.
      Look for sales. Recently our Staples was discontinuing the 13x19 matte photo paper. I bought them all for 75% off!

  24. Jule says…
    01/09/2012

    This is so sweet. I am sure, that in times like these, George will be helpful in many ways. Welcome George!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Elaine Bieman says…
    01/09/2012

    even the cats photogenic too. very cute.

    Reply 0 Replies

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