Awww I love this thread!!!
Mozart:
Well, i've always been a cat person... but I had moved in with my now husband, and I wanted a dog.. (i'm just an animal person i guess!).. so we went to shelter after shelter just looking , not really intent on getting any animal at the time, we just went to ask about policies, and costs and recommendations for vets, and so on (never hurts to be prepared) and to see how the animals were taken care of.. Well, My husband about said "no" to even looking after the 3rd shelter.. ok so it was actually the humane societies we started at.. and the little areas they kept dogs in, i couldn't keep from crying, and wanting to rescue them all.. and my husband about had enough of me being upset, and even he was beginning to cry by seeing those animals faces looking so rejected, confused and lonely.. so we went home.

Well, we had hamsters, so i needed hamster food, so off to petsmart we went... and low and behold, it was adoption day.. so we got to take a look at some no kill shelters, and were VERY impressed with how they cared for the animals, and all the questions they asked US.. we still weren't going to adopt.. nope.. weren't ready... but then... walking past the line of kitties.. this little TINY orange and white kitty meowed at my husband... that was it, he was sold.. i , took a little bit longer, was like "but we aren't ready for a cat! we don't have anything for one!" and his response was "we're at a pet store! we'll BUY what he needs".. so he went to fill out the adoption paper work and be interviewed.. while i met what would become Mozart... We still just looked at each other like "oh, you?! you're my new family".. my husband got approved for Mozart, and we got a carrier for him (bought at the store), and took Mozart around the store for food, litter and everything else he needed and might want.. then off to home we went.. where he quickly decided he liked mommy better LOL..and of course, I decided he was my baby too! Now he's currently 3 years old, a spoiled baby, and tends to be independent more than anything.

Bach:
6 months later.. I received a call from my dad saying they rescued a cat who just had a litter...and I was already thinking Mo needed a playmate.. This time it was my husband who took convincing.. so on Thanksgiving we went out to see the kittens and visit my family.. this litte tuxie was sooo cute, although they all were... but this one, my husband picks up...and it doo doo's on him!!! i was laughing so hard, I KNEW i had to have that kitten.. so once he got old enough.. home he came, and he and mozart bonded immediately! Bach is still the baby to this day.. he's 2 and half yrs old... and makes sure to tell you when it's time to eat or play.( and whom, is now, in love with Ally here on PT!.. btw Ally.. Bach has made a note of your birthday on our calendar, it big pink letters! So expect a birthday message from him! )

Eliza's story
Before we got mozart, my in laws adopted Eliza after their cat passed away..She was at a shelter totally declawed (yes,, TOTALLY! ) 7 months old they were missing something, and Eliza helped fill that void. But after 2 years, they got pregnant, and decided no animals for them! And proceeded to get rid of their dogs.. and then we found out, and hurried over there and basically took Eliza without so much as "can we have her" but more like "we're taking her, where's her stuff" LOL. My dad was originally going to take her in, since 2 was our limit, but when we got her home she was so scared, and bonded with me so quickly, I knew i had to convince hubby to keep her.. it didn't take much.. all it took was one head bumpie from her, and he was sold... "no sense in giving her more stress" And so that's how Eliza came to be, and she is now part of the boys.. more like a sister than anything to them. (and for a further note, the inlaws ended up miscarrying, and then got another dog.. might be moving in 6 months, and we're betting that dog will be gotten rid of, so my husband and I are trying to find a home for him, because we can't sneak a dog into this teeny apartment with 3 cats , fish and a bird!)

I wouldn't change having any of my pets for anything, and love them all to pieces, and enjoy all their quirks!