Instead of adopting a young pet, this family decided to give a 20-year-old cat named Dexter a loving home for his remaining years. Their decision stemmed from the desire to provide the cat with all the love and care he deserved during this time. It proved to be a wise choice as Dexter was happy and left an indelible mark on his new family’s hearts after his passing. The family’s journey with Dexter started when Jill Williams, a member of Best Friends Animal Society, received an urgent email seeking foster homes for some kittens. Despite having a husband, four dogs, and two children who wanted a cat, the mother was uncertain about adding a new member to their family.
Jill Williams shared that they were initially hesitant to temporarily care for a homeless cat because they were unsure of how their dogs would react to having a feline companion. However, when she visited a sanctuary to adopt a kitten, she ended up meeting an elderly cat named Dexter who had no teeth but still managed to capture her heart.
My thoughts were running wild as a plethora of ideas and worries filled my head. A family made the decision to adopt a 20-year-old feline to provide him with joy and comfort during his golden years.
Jill was skeptical about whether a 20-year-old cat could tolerate living with four dogs and two lively kids. However, Dexter didn’t seem to be bothered by the commotion around him; all he craved was a place to call home. “Dexter kept meowing incessantly while placing his paws on my legs as I knelt down,” Jill said. “At that point, I decided to take him home with me.”
The moment the woman decided to adopt Dexter, she gathered her family together for a meeting to discuss the matter and establish some guidelines for moving forward. Jill Williams’ young sons, JJ and Harry, were immediately taken with Dexter, who was welcomed into their home with open arms.
When JJ looked at the 20-year-old cat with its drooping fur and crooked smile, he didn’t see an old feline. Instead, he saw a best friend, a soulmate. Despite being only five years old, JJ understood the importance of helping this cat, irrespective of how old or unappealing it looked. According to Jill, Dexter would meow and extend his paws from beneath the door for several days. The other dogs were highly interested in the situation, but they never seemed agitated or hostile towards the cat.
The 140-pound canine named Flora was curious to know the identity of the person who had their legs sticking out from under the door. As she sniffed around the door, Dexter, the cat, greeted her with a meow and a friendly wave.
When the kitty finally met the dogs, they hit it off really well. As one of the pet owners said, “It was crazy how well they got along!” Even though it may be hard to believe, all of the dogs slept with Dexter, who was like the king of the house. In his last years, Dexter experienced a lot of love from the family.
During the next couple of years, Dexter was surrounded by his loving family. He had the luxury of gaining weight and restoring his furry coat. His cheerful and caring personality never faded, and he remained lively as ever. Regardless of his age, Dexter always displayed his affection for everyone around him.
