Sweetest "Accident" By Justyne, Ollie, Winnie and Willie
The story of how we adopted Willie was a bit of a happy accident. I am also not one to usually believe in “meant to be” but that’s how he came to be part of our family in the end.
I’m a small business owner in the pet space and happened to be dropping off an order at a local shop who had adoptable kittens available on site. I thought to myself, I was allergic to cats as a young child but what’s the harm in going in and testing that today!?
They were so adorable and I have to admit that I never really thought of myself as a cat person having had a difficult cat in our family when I was little. But they were meowing at me through the glass and I just couldn’t resist!
Needless to say I fell in love with the 4 cats and kittens that were there that day and even came back to that shop multiple times over the span of a few weeks just to spend some time with them.
I thought about adopting an older cat as there were so many available but also acknowledged that I have two reactive dachshunds at home and perhaps that wouldn’t work. I knew I didn’t want or need to go to a breeder. I just wanted to give one of these kitties a loving home and hopefully safely integrate all of the animals.
About a month later, the rescue posted that they had new adoptable kittens and that’s when I saw Willie’s photo. I got in my car so fast and went to picked him up that very same day. Our journey with Mr. Wilford began.
Our transition period was quite difficult with our younger dachshund and sometimes the future looked very divided: cats vs. dogs; Willie vs. Winnie. But lots of love, effort, tears and 3 months later, they are officially besties!
I thought adopting a third animal, let alone a cat was going to be out of the question but it just feels like it was meant to be. Willie’s quirky behaviours and his relationship with every one of our family members has completely changed my brain chemistry as a pet parent. He’s tested my patience with parkouring too hard as a kitten, fracturing a foot in the first month of being with us and being the pickiest of the picky cats. He’s also surprised us by being the cuddliest little dude when he wants to be. He’s claimed his territory on the patio but of course shares the space with his best bud Winnie. And I couldn’t be more thankful for the shops we work with locally here in BC because if it weren’t for their belief in our brand, I would’ve never rediscovered my love of felines through the amazing local rescues. It has truly been the best gift of 2026 thus far 🫶🏼✨
Love, Justyne, Ollie, Winnie and Willie
