Note: The incredibly rad header image above is featured on this Shirt.Woot t-shirt, which I own and wear to parties.
Sometimes, multiple things you love come together in a magical way you could have never foreseen, and you remember that, occasionally, life is truly beautiful.
I’m talking about a famous internet cat, of course.
By now, you’ve heard about Kylo Ren, the adorable cat who bears an amusing resemblance to adorable human Adam Driver.
Cat via Instagram and human via TheFilmStage
Kylo is an amalgamation of everything currently wonderful on the internet. Of course a cat that looks like a Star Wars celebrity is going viral. Of course. Don’t try to resist it. It’s beautiful. If this is a precursor of the kind of internet content we can expect in 2016, I welcome it with open arms and an alluring string.
Thanks to the initial tweet about Kylo the cat, he’s been adopted by a really awesome family, and seeing this happy kitty warms my cat lady heart to infinity.
Just look at how overjoyed he is to have his own humans. This got me thinking: Kylo’s cute face and heartwarming story have probably inspired some people to consider adopting their own kitty friend, but knowing where to begin can be overwhelming. . . . Time to use the Force.
Gif via tumblr user mamalaz
Yeah, alright, Han. Listen, Kylo’s resemblance to Adam might be exceptionally uncanny, but just think of the wealth of other Star Wars cat doppelgangers out there waiting to be discovered.
I propose the following: Check out your local shelter listings and fancast the cats as Star Wars characters to help you find a new kitty friend! Let your creativity run wild as you scroll through the adoptable cats in your area and imagine them in a galaxy far, far away. (Or any fandom of your choosing, I might add!)
I’m going to prove how fun and simple this is, by taking a look at some adoptable shelter cats in Texas. Before we begin, fair warning that looking at photos of all these sweet kitties gave me some feels about not actually able to adopt one at present. I did give my own cat some extra snuggles, though.
First up is Topaz, who is a total Rey:
She’s up for adoption in Richardson, and the Force is strong in this one. Tell me that face isn’t full of the same hopefulness and determination Rey shows as she eats her supper . . . waiting to have a family again someday . . . I know, I’m pure evil.
Next up, Mocchi is such a Finn:
He’s up for adoption in Dallas. JUST LOOK AT THAT SWEET FACE. Not hard to imagine him becoming a loyal, lifelong friend, eh?
Next up is Rocco, who totally a Poe:
Rocco is up for adoption in Richardson. That is a cat who is ready for friendship and adventure. And by adventure, I mean a warm, loving home and a lap to sleep on. Of course.
Finally, this pretty calico kitty named Callie reminds me of someone . . . who could it be?
Callie is up for adoption in Dallas, and okay, maybe this is a bit of a stretch. Then again, Griz and Norm made the same breed association in their fanart series featuring Star Wars characters + cats:
A photo posted by Griz and Norm Lemay (@grizandnorm) on Dec 20, 2015 at 6:15pm PST
Just to be clear, none of this is meant to suggest that Kylo the cat’s fame is undeserved in any way. He is totes adorbs, and I hope his Instagram is here to stay! In fact, I think Griz and Norm’s series could use a new Kylo + Kylo addition! JUST A THOUGHT.
On a more serious note, I genuinely hope Kylo’s cute face and heartwarming story inspire more people to consider pet adoption. I’ve only fancasted the main TFA cast with cats so far. Maybe you can do better; maybe there’s a kitty just waiting to be named Leia or Lando in your area. Your best friend could be waiting for you in a local shelter, and if you’re not sure where to begin . . . just start in a galaxy far, far away.
It is your destiny.
