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.
We have an 8-months-old black and white cat named George at the shelter I volunteer at. I really hope he gets an owner as nice as your son. *fingers crossed*
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What a great moment to preserve!
I just bought the template pack off Designer Digitals, and now I am just waiting for that size of protectors to be back in stock. That will be such a great addition for Project Life.
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I am so happy for you, Simon, and your new friend...uh, little brother.
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A beautiful story that you have written so well. I'm crying too.
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George is handsome! I have two tuxedo sisters - Bella and Cissy. Tuxedo cats are very smart. I read somewhere online, that they are significantly smarter than other cats! Enjoy your new family member! :)
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Aww, he seems to be just like my cat :) Great choice, Simon!!! Your cat will bring you much joy.
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such a beautiful story. congrats to Simon on George Washington! they are adorable.
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I'm sure your son will read this many times over through the years. I need to learn to write better. Ali I purchased your 6x12 templates. Love them. Can I ask what font you used for the title and then for the journaling. I am lousy at picking fonts (I came to this conclusion through trial and error). Looking forward to see more of your Project Life layouts.
The title font is Helvetica Neue. The journaling font is Garamond. I also inlcuded the names of each of those fonts on the specific layers :).
thanks Ali. I just found the font name in the layers. I couldn't see them before but just enlarged a little and saw them. Thanks agan.
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Great story. We are animal lovers too. I have always encouraged my children to have pets. We have had pets from horses to lizards.(Be thankful he wanted a cat) :) My daughter even loved blood suckers. (yuck) She couldn't stand anything being hurt. Everything was beautiful to her. (she's now 21) Animals bring such joy to our lives. George is a beautiful cat.
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what a sweet story!!!! i love that you shared this with us and i'm sure you cannot wait until simon is older to share this memory with him.
welcome george washington edwards-the perfect name :)
sarabeth
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When I was 7yo our cat had babies at my feet while I was sleeping. It was July 4th. We decided to keep the first one born; a black and while male who we named "George Washington". (He was the first; get it?) The others were Dolly Madison, Betsy Ross, etc. - you get the idea.
WOOT WOOT!!! I'm so excited for Simon!!
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What a wonderful story. My husband and I found a kitten outside that we took in. I have always been allergic to cats. I am not allergic to Tigger. We have had him over a year, and I hope George brings as much joy to your family, as Tigger has brought to ours.
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Congrats to you all on the new addition to your family and so happy to hear that you went with a rescue animal. They are truly the best!
And his new name is beyond awesome. I say that because as I write this, I am flanked on both sides by my own sleeping kitties: Nixon and Kissinger. :)
Hooray for Simon and George Washington!
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I loved reading this story. I got a kitten for my son Josh at the same age. Tiger is one of his best friends now. They have a calming influence and are able to teach and sow affection. Enjoy your new family member.
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Welcome George Washington Edwards! I look forward to hearing more about this new family member.:) Ali, this story resonates with me. I was unable to have children but God in His wisdom gave me 2 nieces and 6 nephews. My three nephews have a dad who severely dislikes dogs and I happen to LOVE dogs! As fate would have it all three boys desperately wanted a dog. Overtime I adopted two puppies and it was love at first sight between the boys and my pups. They truly consider my two puppies, Chelsea and Rosie (two of the sweetest pomeranians on this earth) their own. They went with us to adopt Rosie and even helped to name her. My youngest nephew, Mattie who is 3, comes to the house specifically to see the "oof oofs" (read woof woofs, read dogs!) and brings them special treats, washes all of their toys in the kitchen sink and share his most precious blankie with them. Whether "meow," or "woof," animals, I believe, are the best way to help children enter into the amazing world of God's intent for all of us by learning to care and to love one another...be it two legged or four legged! Big giant hugs, Bonnie XOXO
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I want a cat like George!
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Fabulous LO and I love the way you've included it project life. Just out of interest what fort did you use for the journalling! Thanks x
Whoops - I mean font .... x
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Lol! Get ready, Ali-one cat at our house...led to three more inside-and two ferals! They multiply-it's like potato chips-you can't have just one! Blessings, Sharon
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Ali, I see in your project life album what is likely the print out of interview questions that you mentioned last week. I would love to find that link, but have had no luck! Can you please re-post that info?
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And a cute cat, at that! My daughter and I adopted two adorable cats from Petsmart and discovered that my husband, too, was allergic. It was a painful day when we gave up those cuties - Emily and I miss them so much. I've been a dog person my whole life and we also have a wonderful lab, but there was just something so comforting about those cats with my daughter. They brought equal amounts of laughter to my boys with all their quirky habits. I think it's wonderful that 'all' of you were there for the adoption :) Enjoy, Ali - watching George with Simon will be wonderful.
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this is wonderful ali! thanks for sharing!
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Ah, I love that story, so beautifully told - thank you.
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Just magic!
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Both photo and story put a smile on my face this morning.. Awesome life moment captured!
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What a beautiful story. Simon and George are so lucky to have found each other!!
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