BRECKSVILLE, Ohio — In 2021, my wife and I faced a heartbreaking time. Within three consecutive months, we lost three of our beloved pets — two cats and a dog.
As retirees with grown children, our fur babies had become the heart of our family, and their loss left us feeling like empty nesters all over again.
For a month, we lived without any pets. The silence in the house was deafening, and we realized that we just weren’t ready for this quiet life.
While we weren’t sure if we were ready for a new dog yet, we thought adopting two older rescue cats might be the answer.
We’ve always been strong advocates for adopting rescue animals, so off we went to the Medina Humane Society in search of senior cats.
But fate had a different plan. The moment we walked in, a large cage of kittens caught our eye. Two of them, in particular, were full of playful energy. As we toured the shelter, these two kittens were handed to us, and, well — you can guess what happened next.
They captured our hearts, and we couldn’t leave without them.
Since they were a brother-sister duo, we wanted names that matched their bond. After toying with ideas like Donny and Marie or Sonny and Cher, we finally settled on Lucy and Ricky, a nod to Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz from the classic “I Love Lucy” show.
The funny part? Lucy is black and white, while Ricky is a vibrant orange — just opposite their namesakes’ iconic appearances.
These two were exactly what we needed. Their kitten antics filled our home with laughter and warmth, helping us heal from the loss of our previous pets.
Now, three years later, Lucy and Ricky have certainly lived up to their comedic names.
Ricky is a loud and assertive character, always demanding food or attention, while Lucy is a snuggler, happiest curled up on our laps.
They have become wonderful companions, and life without them is unimaginable.
If you’re thinking about adding a new pet to your family, I encourage you to consider a rescue. There are so many loving dogs and cats in shelters just waiting for their forever home. In our experience, they make the most loyal and wonderful additions to any family.
John MacFarland,
Brecksville
Do you share your life with an animal that is near and dear to you? Tell us something about your pet – all species are welcome – and send along a photo of the two of you. Be sure to tell us which Greater Cleveland community you live in. Send everything to Ann Norman atanorman@cleveland.com
