Harry held Teddy and Jamie's hands as they walked through the shelter. The boys had been asking desperately for a new baby. Which was in the works, Ginny had found out two days ago. But the boys needed a way to train for a baby so the Potters being reasonable adults thought a dog might help. Teddy loved Crookshanks who was still as ornery as ever in his old age, James was more wary of the old tom cat's claws, remembering stepping on his tail once before.
The boys walked through the rows of pound pups, Teddy reading the placards for his younger brother. They studied each dog like a job interview.
They both liked a greyhound that Harry thought looked rabbity. There was also the Great Dane Jamie was sure he could handle despite being half the dog's size.
Teddy thought they should look at cats while they were there. The Lupin boy loved animals of all kinds. Harry smiled good naturedly and gestured to the cat room.
Harry stood in the corner, watching the boys interact with the small beasts. He was torn; cats reminded him of his childhood and days spent at Mrs. Figg's place but, he loved Hermione's half kneazle.
He heard a "mrrp" and looked down to see an orange tom cat looking at him with bright blue eyes. "Hello there." He reached down to pet him and see the name attached to his collar. "Creamsicle" it read.
The cat wound itself around his ankles. Harry picked up the cat and told Teddy to read his placard.
"It says he's four years old. Like Jamie! Doesn't mind loud noises. And hes good with kids and neutered. What's that mean Dad?"
Harry stifled a snort. "It means he can't have baby cats."
Teddy scowled. "He's a boy cat, he can't have babies anyways."
Harry sobered up. "But what do you guys think of ol' Creamsicle?"
"I think he looks like a tiger, Daddy!" Piped up Jamie," Can we get a cat and a dog?"
"Let's start with one or the other first, Jimmy."
The small boy seemed to ponder this before nodding a gap tooth smile where his teeth were coming in.
The boys got together and began to whisper before turning back to their dad.
"We like him."
Harry nodded. "Alright, Creamsicle, looks like you're coming with us.