We started having this conversation after we had to put Sebastian to sleep. At some point in the future, we knew we would need to get kittens. If it weren’t for Rosie, we’d get another cat like Checkers who would need people who can be patient and who are willing to work to bring a kitty out of its shell, but as long as we have Rosemary, that isn’t going to happen.

And then, after Tangerine was at the vet, and we both noticed how empty the house felt, the idea was brought up again. After everything we have been through recently – the weeks of worrying and trying so hard with Sebastian, and this past week of hell with Tangerine – we knew what we needed to do.

Meet Orpha and Ingrid. We found them on Petfinders and made an appointment with the rescue group this morning to go meet them. I’m sure it comes as no surprise that it didn’t take much before we were both completely smitten.

They are siblings, and about 8 weeks old. Orpha (the little grey tabby) has pretty much no fear. We have set them up in the guest room upstairs and she careens madly around the space, exploring and pouncing on everything she sees. Ingrid (the tuxedo) is a bit more reserved and prefers to let her sister test the waters first to make sure it’s safe before she’ll venture over to investigate.

They are not meant to replace, because of course nothing can ever replace what we have lost. But they help fill the void Sebastian and Tangerine left behind. And right now, that’s the thing this house needed most.