Earlier this month, Schenectady High School student Draven Rodriguez rallied the cat-loving internet to support him in the noblest of quests - to urge school officials to allow a glorious, laser-studded photo of him and his cat to run in the yearbook as his senior portrait.
Thousands of strangers signed an online petition on the behalf of Rodriguez and his pet, Mr. Bigglesworth, but lo, it wasn't enough to convince the New York high school to change their apparent "no awesome cat pictures as senior portraits" policy.
The decision, however, did give rise to an adorable compromise. It was announced that the photo would be printed elsewhere in the yearbook, on a page devoted to school Principal Diane Wilkinson - who brilliantly recreated the epic image with her chihuahua companion, Vivian.
The results? Spectacular.
But the story is more than just about yearbook photos. Both Vivian and Mr. Bigglesworth were rescued, welcomed into the lives of their owners from animal shelters. Photographer Vincent Giordano says he hopes that the story will help raise awareness about pet adoption through the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
