UPDATE (MARCH 15)
As the story of Gumbo and Beignet spread, hundreds of people clamored to adopt
the bonded pair, who would only be adopted out as a set. To find the best home,
the Center asked potential families for a 300-word essay in addition to their application. After scouring dozens of essays, the perfect family has been found.
“An incredibly doting husband and wife team of empty-nesters from Chula Vista, California, are excited to start a new family with
Beignet and Gumbo,” the Center’s webpage stated. “Once medical follow-ups and final details are wrapped up, Beignet and Gumbo will have a forever home
of their very own. Congratulations to them and thank you all for your loving encouragement
and support of these two extraordinary orphan pets!”
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After a California family moved away, their neighbors discovered they'd left
their longhaired Chihuahua and a kitten behind. Neighbors could hear the pair in the backyard
of their home, where they found the 1-year-old dog nursing the 5-month-old kitten she'd decided to adopt as her own.
They were brought to a local shelter, and arrived at the Helen Woodward Animal Center
in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., last week. Today, they'll be introduced to the public
in the rescue's 2 nd Annual Doggie Gras Parade and Fat Cat Tuesday Celebration.
The two have been aptly named for their Mardi Gras debut - the pup is now called Beignet
and her kitten son is known as Gumbo. "They love each other. That's all there is to it.
It's not complicated," said the center's inventory manager, Labeth Thompson.
"They needed each other and they were there for each other."
The parade serves as the kickoff to find a new home where the bonded duo can live together.
May these two find a loving family and may no pet be abandoned ever again.
