Nugget must be the most adaptable cat in the shelter. It hasn’t been by choice. Nugget, a gorgeous, neutered, aristocratic, golden boy, was born indoors. He was handled early and learned to enjoy people. His people enjoyed Nugget, but not enough. When they moved, they left Nugget, sitting in the rain, by the curb, with other unwanted trash.

A neighbor saw the soaked, shivering kitten and took him in. Nugget nearly died, but, with help from the Friends of the Shelter, that family nursed him. Nugget joined the perpetually changing family. He adjusted to divorce, child custody changes, marriage, new children and new pets of every species.

When the family lost their home, Nugget would have adjusted again. However, the family’s landlord wouldn’t allow it.

There’s a song titled, “The Things I did for Love.” Mobley, a handsome, social with all species, Australian Cattle Dog/Blue Heeler, showed up in neighborhood where no one had ever seen him. The two-year-old boy had taken the risk of straying down Dry Ridge’s busiest main street to visit other dogs, probably females, probably as a hopeful gentleman caller.

Yet, Mobley forgets about looking for love when he’s with people. He knows commands; he reads a room, charming both people and other dogs; and he demonstrates that he has his breed’s mind-boggling intelligence. Mobley is happy simply being a human’s companion.

Now Mobley’s neutered, vaccinated and ready to be an even more perfect, brilliant best friend. And Mobley has a chance at a longer life.

Eight-month-old Pluto, like most beings who grow up in big families, gets along with everyone. He’s socially well-adjusted, not a hide-under-the-bed kitten. And, Pluto is used to waiting his turn, for food, for love. Still, Pluto must confess that, at times, he did long for a bit more attention, more time on a lap.

His family understood. They had too many cats. They knew Pluto, an exceptionally sweet and gentle boy, deserved to be noticed more, to be appreciated as the special kitten he was.

Now, Pluto has been vaccinated and neutered at the ideal time, the time of life when he’ll maintain his kitten charms forever. Pluto, who’s waiting in his ebony coat and white ascot, is ready to be the perfect lifelong companion.

Even though he’s only 11 months old, Chewey, with the amazing intelligence of his Poodle brain, sensed something was wrong, maybe before Chewey’s beloved person did. But, with a pup’s selfless, unconditional love, Chewey didn’t worry about himself. He simply tried to fix the problem with more love. After all, pups put all their faith in love.

Chewey’s person loved the pup, too, almost equally. So, when Chewey’s owner knew for sure that the affliction was terminal, the first thought was to take Chewey somewhere safe, somewhere where Chewey could find love.

So, the shelter staff wants someone very special to adopt the confused, little neutered boy. Chewey needs someone to help him stop looking for his person, someone to help him through his grief.

Nine-week-old Alvin is an accident, his owner said. The infamous sneaky neighbor dog visited an unspayed female and Alvin and his littermates surprised the human family two months later. Fortunately, Alvin was too cute and naturally loving to be treated like an accident. So, he’s a happy, social, ready-to-adore-someone puppy.

Of course, for him to stay that way, never knowing he wasn’t wanted, Alvin should go home soon. He’s at the age when he’ll naturally transfer all the love that he felt for his mama to his new human family.

Alvin is also at the age when he’s learning like a tiny sponge, faster than ever again. Alvin is learning his roles, his purpose. The tiny puppy needs people to show him he’s a BFF.