It’s been over two months (but it feels like a lifetime) since Pandora’s death, and after a mourning period, we’ve been feeling ready to adopt since the first day of 2013. (New Year, New Beginning, and all that, I suppose.) Checking the list at local rescue shelter Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation (LDCRF) we came across a litter of kittens called “Companions,” each named for a recent Doctor Who character. The sister kittens Amelia Pond and Martha Jones were still available.

We emailed the Companions’ foster mom to talk about adoption, and met up with them at a PetSmart event on a Sunday afternoon with our application forms in hand. We were able to sit with the kittens and play with them in a little play area for several minutes, and then a representative from LCDRF interviewed us to make sure we were capable of proper cat care. We’d been expecting to be in a line with a bunch of other prospective adopters but it turned out we were the only ones who had shown up — and according to the foster mom, one of the few who had emailed with an awareness of the Doctor Who references. It had all the flavor of destiny to it.

After the interview, I filled out more forms and paid an adoption fee while Amy brought in the cat carrier. A few more minutes of conversation and a kiss goodbye to each kitten from the foster carers, and we walked out with our new Companion Kittens.

Right now Amelia and Martha are holed up in the bathroom, hiding in the carrier with an old blanket to help them get over the standard feline transitional anxiety. They took to the litterbox immediately, and have been friendly and playful as they acclimatize to their new surroundings. Over time we’ll open the door and let them explore the area more and establish their territory.

Amelia is a polydactyl cat with six toes in each paw, one of them semi-opposable. She’s definitely the more active and adventurous of the two, and Martha the shyer and more affectionate. During playtime, long after Martha had decided to settle down beside Amy, Amelia was still stalking and jumping about tirelessly.

But at the moment they’re both asleep on their old blanket in the bathroom, showing no urgency to explore further for the moment. They need their rest; it’s been a big day, after all.

Full kitten photoset here, with more pictures coming.