Dr Carter Godwin Woodson II

Carter was born on February 14, 2023 and was made available for adoption in May 2023. He and his siblings were abandoned and likely hurt before the Michigan Humane Society took them in.

When I saw him, I asked to meet him. The animal control specialists brought me into a room, and then they brought him in. He sat on my right thigh—he was a wee kitten then—and curiously looked out of the room with me.

We clicked immediately.

Still, I hesitated.

A few years ago, my beautiful Lewis crossed the rainbow bridge. I thought I'd never recover. I loved that dog so much; I wrote a children's series featuring him.

So I wasn't sure if I could go through that again. The grief was so complete and so overwhelming that I…just…no.

And then this kitten purred. Loudly.

Understand what I am saying—we are in a busy animal shelter with people walking and talking and animals barking and meowing and I'm a stranger. And he's purring.

And I realized I cannot avoid love just because I might get hurt.

For sure I am going to get hurt. For sure.

All relationships end with either a separation or a death. All of them.

Do I avoid situations to try to avoid pain? What kind of life is that?

He went home with me three days later.

What a great decision.

Bliss.