SAN DIEGO — After graduating college in New York, I moved to Seattle. Having finally landed my first job, I was excited to put my aeronautical engineering degree to work and design jumbo jets for a premier aerospace company. Everything was great—Seattle has a thriving Jewish community, a vibrant arts scene, and spectacular nature. However, it also has rain. A lot of rain. Did I mention the rain?
Despite loving my job and all the friends I had made in Seattle, the rain got to me over time. Day after day (and sometimes week after week), it would rain. From overcast skies to cancelled outdoor events, Seattle slowly lost its charm for me. There is even a condition called SAD, which relates to vitamin D deficiency and sadness. It stands for Seasonal Affective Disorder and describes how those who live in climates like Seattle get the blues.
So, on a whim, I decided to move somewhere sunny. After all, as a single woman with no home to sell, there was nothing was tying me down. To San Diego I went! San Diego has been a glimmer of hope for me. The blue skies and beaches are beautiful. With temperate weather and sunshine, San Diego is the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors year round. Without a cloud in the sky, I explored parks and even joined an ultimate Frisbee sports group.
As a young professional, I was excited to make friends and get involved in Jewish community. I was amazed at how welcoming the synagogues are here and how grand they are. Compared to the shuls in Seattle, the ones here are like castles! It was a delight to discover just how many synagogues and young adult Jewish groups there are in San Diego. From Moishe House to Next Gen to local temples, there was always something going on. For much of February, I literally had a different social or religious event every day of the week.
Little did I know how drastically things would change in a mere matter of weeks as events started cancelling and shuls started closing. First my Frisbee group stopping hosting games. Then the beaches and parks I loved had “do not enter” signs. The jazz concert I had signed up for notified me that the show was cancelled. The weekly Shabbat dinners I had come accustomed to attending grinded to a halt as gatherings with non-household members were banned. As someone new to town who lives alone, this was a shock to my system. As the “15 days to slow the spread” turned into weeks and then months, my San Diego adventure became very lonely and isolating. With lockdowns inhibiting social gatherings and masks blocking smiles, life was getting downright depressing.
Sitting alone in my apartment one sunny day in June, an idea crossed my mind. What about a pet? Stuck home all day with nothing to do, a four-legged companion would definitely lift my spirits. Plus, it would help take one more animal out of the shelters. While my previous apartment in Seattle did not allow pets, my San Diego apartment had a specific pet policy. Dogs were banned, but cats were allowed.
So, I took a trip to The Cat Lounge Rescue and Adoption Center in La Jolla. After paying the $10 admission fee, I waited my turn patiently (the number of people inside was restricted). After what seemed like an eternity, I entered the large room full of cats. While I had never owned a pet before, I had interacted with friends’ cats, so I felt comfortable around the funny creatures. The cat room was full of couches and cat trees. Thankfully, the staff kept the litter boxes in a separate room!
Scanning the room, I saw what had to be about two dozen cats. The cats came in all different shapes, sizes, and colors. Their ages varied greatly, as well, from kitten to senior. Some cats jumped around, a few sat atop cat trees, and others napped under chairs. While it was all so cute, I didn’t immediately feel any pull towards a particular cat…that is until I felt something rustle by my feet.
Looking down, I saw a round and compact body of fur sticking out of my dress. That day I had worn a floor-length skirt, so there was plenty of fabric for hiding. A few moments and chuckles later, I saw a happy little face poke out from my dress. The cat’s ears were still under the fabric, but her eyes, nose, and mouth popped out. A calmness and motherly urge came over me. With a “meow!” and an iddy biddy smile, I knew I had found my kitty. After some reassuring pets and playtime, I filled out the paperwork and paid the very reasonable $125 adoption fee.
Within no time, Ms Kitty went from the cafe to the crate to the car to my home. After a quick trip to the store, she had a scratching post, litter box, toys, and food. With more rev than a racecar, she is a purring machine! From the time I wake up to a “meow!” call for breakfast to when I go to sleep and Ms Kitty curls up beside me, I am content. Even though I can’t get within 6 feet of others or see the smiles of passerby, Ms Kitty walks right up to me and smiles her little cat smile. When she is especially happy, I get the honor of watching Ms Kitty transform into a baker as she moves her paws in a way that looks like she is kneading dough to make biscuits. While I can’t wait for life to get back to normal, I’ve found a new best friend to help get me through these challenging times.
Whatever your situation, I encourage you to consider the joys of owning a pet. While I got my cat at The Cat Lounge, there are many other shelters available, such as the San Diego Humane Society. If you’re on the fence about adopting an pet, remember that caring for animals is a mitzvah 😉
“The godly care for their animals” ~Proverbs 12:10
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Teresa Konopka is a freelance writer.
Sweet story. Thank you 🙂