8 months into our marriage, Bonaparte and Mordechai joined the family. I had grown up with cats, my partner with dogs - so the compromise was one of each.

We chose Bonaparte first, a puppy the size of a full grown cat. I walked him through the cat cages of the ASPCA to see if he would bark at cats - nope. Then we saw Mordechai, asleep in his cage, regal even as a kitten - self-composed and strong.