My Constant Companion
I'd been volunteering for about a year at BARCS when I decided I was ready for a cat. And, based on all the lovebugs I'd met, I knew I wanted to adopt a senior.
A big orange 10-year-old guy caught my eye. BARCS named him (appropriately) Garfield. He was hefty and laid back and he had the most adorable underbite. I fell madly in love.
Garfield was so big that the carrier I'd bought to bring him home was too small. He was then put into a cardboard box that he burst out of. I managed to safely bring him home, and then I put him in my bathroom with everything he needed. It took him about 2.5 seconds to wriggle his way out of the bathroom. So I came back in and sat with him. That's the moment I'll always remember: sitting on my bathroom floor facing this middle-aged orange cat who I promised to love for the rest of his life.
I decided in that moment I'd call him "John Goodman." And so began the greatest friendship of my life.
John and I have been through it all together: Roommates. Job changes. Boyfriend changes. We've moved to New York together, then to New Orleans. To Chicago and back home to Baltimore. Through everything, we've been each other's constant.
It has been one of the greatest joys of my life getting to live with and love this cat.
Everybody else in my life loves him too. My best friend once painted me a portrait of John Goodman in all his glory. To this day, it is one of my most prized possessions.
At this point, after eight beautiful years together, we're a partnership that can't be beat. I cannot recommend a senior pet enough. They are so full of love and life. And every senior pet deserves a human to grow old with.
Adopting a 10-year-old cat from BARCS was hands-down the best decision I have ever made. I hope our story will help other people do the same.
Sincerely,
Lindsay and John "Garfield" Goodman
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