“Excuse me, sir,” I laugh while lifting the kitten off my laptop. “Some of us have to work around here.” I kiss his little head before putting him down on the floor. We’ve only had the kittens a few days and I’m already attached. If I’m feeling this way, then Briar is full-blown in love, and I know these kittens aren’t going anywhere.

Now I’m worried this could become a habit. Our apartment isn’t tiny, but it’s not big enough to house more animals. Briar volunteers at a ...