Passaic, NJ is famous for many things. It’s the fastest-growing city in New Jersey. It was the “Birthplace of Television.” And, most notably, it was once called Acquackanock (which would be an excellent name for a band).

This summer, Passaic sent their four biggest celebrities to the great non-metropolis of Ringoes, NJ. The Passaic Kids are here.

Well, 75% of the Passaic Kids are here, anyway. The first of the fab four has already beaten a path to his forever home. It seems only right that the first Passaic feline out the door would be the “least adoptable” by typical standards.

A bashful, smooshy senior with a punk haircut, Rupert is the kind of cat who some might expect adopters to overlook. In his public shelter, that’s just what happened, and the ten-year-old languished in increasingly-close proximity to the euthanasia list.

It would have been an Utterly Wrong end for a cat once so cherished. Rupert had been the beloved baby of an elderly person, forced to give him up to enter a nursing home. It could have been the worst sort of double tragedy if Mrs. Rupert’s need for greater care meant no more care for Rupert…

…but this is no tragedy. The good people at the Passaic Shelter, particularly the huge-hearted Dr. Awesome, fell in love - hard - for the big guy, So Rupert made a list even better than Santa’s: the bound-for-Tabby’s-Place list.

Even amidst his ultra-adoptable mates (more on them in a moment), Rupert was a standout. And so it happened that the old boy with the wild ‘do was adopted straight out of Quarantine. The new Rupert Family had their hearts set on a gentle, older cat…and now their hearts have been stolen. Forever.

But Rupert isn’t the only Robber Baron of Passaic.

A certain gray girl with eminently-squooshable cheeks had been working hard at the Passaic Shelter. As litter after litter of itty-bitty orphans arrived, the Passaic people tucked them into Fribble’s cage, hoping she’d raise them. She did.

Again and again and again and again.

Octomom, Ms. Gosselin and Angelina Jolie, take note: Fribble undoubtedly wins the mother-of-the-year -eon award.

Now it’s time for our gray angel to get coddled and babied in her own right. Her babysitting days out of the spotlight are over, and her adoption day can’t be too far away. (Yes, I did reflect on the fact that I have the opportunity here to adopt a Fribble to go with my Dibbles. ;-)) Today Fribs moves into Suite C. And our hearts? Long gone to the girl with the golden heart.

Fortunately, Fribble is happy to share her heart-booty with the funniest calico you’ll ever love. Walk into Riley’s world, and, almost instantaneously, all of her bones seem to dissolve into jello. At the mere sight of you, this little angel-face begins to roll and squish herself into comical contortions. Pet her, and Riley goes into a rapture.

Is it any wonder she’s already on hold with her future forever home?

I would be remiss to not introduce phenomenal #4. For now, O sole he-o among the Passaic bunch has moved to Suite B. But don’t cry for Luciano; our moustachioed charmer is already a hit with his new homeboys. His own brand of music has tickled the ears of Trifle, who was seen snuggling Luciano this morning - less than 48 hours after the Maestro’s arrival to the suite. Like his namesake, there’s something molto magnifico about this Luciano (although he does look a tad…concerned about the comparison, doesn’t he?).

And like Rupert, there’s no doubt in my mind that Luch, Fribble and Riley are not long for this sanctuary. We’d better get in a whole lotta smooshing while the smooshing’s good.

Tags: fribble, luciano, riley, rupert

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