Brain Celebrates One Year As A Cat Dad [GALLERY]

It was one year ago today that we finally gave in and brought a neighborhood outdoor cat into our home. We named her Cora and now we can't imagine life without her. She is a princess, an instigator, a lover, and has a sassy attitude that we wouldn't trade for anything.

Cora was an outdoor cat that last spring was making her way around our neighborhood in Marion. She would run to Carly and Cayleigh when they were outside and follow them everywhere. We felt bad and began to leave food and a bed out on our porch for her. Naturally, she began spending more and more time at our house. I was unsure about bringing a cat back into our home. Holly and I had a cat when we first got married. Liddy lived 14 years and was a beloved member of the family. After she passed, we got Rigby, our miniature schnauzer. We'd been a dog only house for five years. How would a cat affect Rigby?

Well, we eventually gave in and brought Cora inside. It was obvious that she had been an indoor cat at some point in time. She was litter trained from the start. She hasn't had an accident since she's lived with us. Also, we discovered that she had already been spayed. Cora took to indoor living right away. She sleeps with the girls in their bed every night. She loves playing with her laser pointer. And she LOVES to chase Rigby.

My fears about the two of them not getting together were unfounded. They aren't best friends but they tolerate each other. And that's all you can ask from a sassy cat like Cora. She stole our heart before we even let her in our house. Now she owns it forever. I'm on proud cat dad.