How We Found Tofu: The Rescue Cat I Dreamt Into Our Family

Some cats arrive through careful planning.

Others arrive because somehow, they were already meant to be there.

This is the story of Tofu, our latest adopted fur baby, and the reminder she brought with her about timing, trust, and why cat adoption is never “just luck.”

When One Cat Leaves, Space Opens

Back in August, our household was preparing for a big change.

My eldest was moving out for university and taking her emotional support cat, Atlas, with her. It was the right decision. They’re deeply bonded. But anyone who loves cats knows: when one leaves, the energy of the home shifts.

We already had Jasper, our gentle, affectionate boy, and we were quietly considering whether he might benefit from a companion.

Then something unexpected happened.

The Dream I Couldn’t Shake

One night, I had the clearest dream.

I was sitting on the sofa. Jasper was curled up on my husband’s lap. And on my lap?

A white cat with splodges of tan, brown, and ginger.

I remember the feeling more than anything, calm, warmth, certainty.

When I woke up, the image stayed with me. Not in a fleeting way, but in that persistent, tug-at-you kind of way that refuses to be explained away.

We hadn’t chosen a cat. But somehow… she already existed.

The 'Almosts' That Went Nowhere

Over the next few months, I reached out to several rescues.

Each time, we got close:

• Applications submitted

• Conversations started

• Hope quietly building

And then something would stall. The timing was off. Circumstances changed. It just couldn’t move forward.

If you’ve ever tried to adopt, you’ll know this feeling well. It can be disheartening. Confusing. Even a little emotional.

Still, that dream never left me...

November. One Post. And There She Was.

Then, in November, it happened.

A post appeared in my social media feed from a rescue in my hometown.

And there she was.

The exact cat from my dream. White fur. Soft splodges of tan, brown, and ginger. The same gentle presence I remembered.

I actually stopped scrolling.

There was no “maybe.” No comparison. No hesitation.

I knew it was her.

When the Right Cat Meets the Right Time

I enquired immediately and this time, everything flowed.

She wasn’t far from us. The rescue process was smooth. Every step felt aligned instead of forced.

Her name was Tofu. And it still is (though her original name was Trouble haha)

From the moment she arrived, she was:

• Affectionate

• Confident

• Ridiculously fluffy

• Friendly with everyone she met

And Jasper?

He fell in love with her within a week.

No drawn-out adjustment. Just two cats who seemed to recognise each other.

If you believe in “meant to be,” this was it.

Why Adoption Stories Like This Matter

Tofu’s story isn’t about fate alone.

It’s about:

• Trusting timing

• Not forcing the process

• Allowing the right match to unfold

So many cats are waiting, not because they aren’t wonderful, but because they’re waiting for their person.

Adoption isn’t always instant. But when it’s right, it feels calm. Clear. Grounded.

From One Adoption to a Bigger Mission

Welcoming Tofu into our family reinforced something I already believed deeply:

💛 Cat advocacy matters.💛 Rescue cats change homes as much as homes change them.

That’s one of the reasons I created Furrever Wellness and The Digital Cat Café Newsletter — a gentle, community-led space for people who care deeply about cats, whether they’re guardians, advocates, or simply cat lovers at heart.

Join Us at The Digital Cat Café ☕🐾

The Digital Cat Café is a calm, cosy email newsletter where we share:

• Real rescue stories (like Tofu’s)

• Practical cat care and wellbeing guidance

• Behaviour insights without judgement

• Ways to support cats who need homes

• A sense of community in a noisy online world

No overwhelm. No pressure. Just thoughtful connection.

👉 Join The Digital Cat Café and be part of a kinder future for cats, one story at a time.