Angus the Lucky Cat

He lived in a big room with many other cats. He had lots of toys, a soft blanket, and all he wanted to eat. There was a sign on the door that said, "Adoption Center."

Angus liked the other cats. Angus liked everybody. Cats, dogs, people. Angus thought the whole world was his friend.

But Angus didn't have a home and bigs of his own. So Angus was sad.

Every day people came into the room to visit Angus and the other cats.

Angus loved visitors. He would reach out a paw and gently touch anyone who came near. Often they didn't notice because their backs were turned as they visited another cat.

One day a couple came into the big room.

"Black Cat Special," they read on the wall. "What does that mean?"

"Oh, we don't allow black cats to be adopted in October," said the nice worker lady who always fed Angus and the other cats. "So the first week in November, we run a black cat special. That's why all the cats here today are black."

"Wow, I didn't know that," said the lady of the couple. "I just came in looking for a black cat - how lucky!"

The couple visited all the black cats in the room. They came back to Angus. The lady opened the door to his cage and lifted him out.

"He's heavy," she said. "And what a great motor!" Angus purred louder. She peered at the sign on his cage. "Loves to be held," she read. Angus began making biscuits on her arm as he purred even louder.

"This is the one I like," said the lady. Angus reached out and put a gentle paw on the man's arm.

"What a sweetie!" exclaimed the man. "Let's take him home."

"Are you sure we're ready for a cat?" asked the lady. "Maybe we should sleep on it. How about if we wait till tomorrow and if we still want him, we'll come back and get him."

"That sounds reasonable," sighed the man. They were a very thoughtful couple. They knew that a cat is a big responsibility and you shouldn't get one unless you're ready to take very good care of it.

The couple reluctantly put Angus back in his cage and said goodbye to him. As they walked slowly toward the front of the store, the lady said to the man, "You know, he could be gone tomorrow. Someone else might take him."

They stopped and looked at each other. Without a word, they turned and hurried back.

Oh, relief! Angus was there and Angus was theirs!

They took him home and he became a forever part of their family. Soon they couldn't imagine life without him.

Every day they kiss and hug Angus and tell him what a handsome boy he is. Angus always purrs in agreement.

Every day they look at their black cat and at each other and say, "We are so lucky!"