On Friday, August 22nd, I had the joy of adopting two wonderful kittens from Alabama. After a 24-hour journey, I met them at a PetSmart in Rhode Island. As the transporter carried them from the truck in my cat carrier, their soft but curious meows filled the air — a sound that gave me a nervous yet heartwarming feeling.
With nearly 94 million households in America owning pets, I could finally say I was one of them. My new companions are a bonded brother-and-sister pair that were born on May 5th, 2025. The boy, a gray tabby American Shorthair, I named Kendrick Meow — after Kendrick Lamar, who I consider one of the greatest artists of my generation. To me, Kendrick Lamar represents meaning: someone who uses his voice to advocate for issues that matter deeply to himself, his family, his fans, and the community he loves, while creating music that sounds incredible and comes from a place of vulnerability and intention.
The girl I named Olive. The name came to me shortly after I met her — her petite frame, sleek black fur, and the way she could nearly curl into the palm of my hands reminded me of a little olive.
Every time I watch them playfully wrestle around my apartment, my heart swells. They give me a glimpse of the joy and responsibility of parenthood, and while that day may come in the future, for now, I’m grateful to experience it through them.
-Anthony
