Julia Sims: Welcome to the family

Over the weekend, our little family grew ... by four feet. Four furry feet.

We had been talking about getting a pet for about a year. Because of our schedules, we knew, for now at least, a dog wasn't an option. So, Will announced he wanted a cat, a black cat. I was thrilled. Mike, not so much.

Before Will was born, I had a black cat named Dakota. She was with me for 18 years, and that cat was more like a dog. She would go running with me. Yes, you read that right. She'd run alongside me (more of a jog) for about a block and then she'd sit on the street corner and wait for me to finish my run. We'd meet up and head back home. She was definitely my little shadow.

We brought her home and Will named her Catcher. Pretty perfect for a boy who loves all things sports. I told him it was also perfect since she's so quick, we can't "catch her." (Get it?)

Anyway, Catcher slept in Will's bed the very first night. All weekend, he's has been playing with her, trying to teach her tricks and yes, he's even read to her! She's just the little pal he'd been waiting for.

On Sunday morning, after playing with Catcher, Mike said, "Maybe we should've gotten two." He might not know it, but he might just be a cat person after all.