Evelyn and Remi Urbano's successful pitch for a new cat (Facebook)Dan Urbano's two kids really wanted a cat. So, Urbano jokingly made a bet offering to adopt a feline friend if they could get 1,000 "likes" on Facebook in support of their effort.
The combined power of social media, kids and cat proved too much as the Boston-area children far exceeded their dad's challenge, generating more than 111,000 "likes" and 100,000 shares.
To accomplish their feat, 7-year-old Remi and 1-year-old Evelyn posted a picture on their mother's Facebook page. In the photo, Remi is smiling while holding a whiteboard that reads:
"Hey Facebook! My sister and I really want a cat. Our papa promises we can get one if we can get 1,000 likes. Please like this picture. Thank you!"
Evelyn stands next to him with a huge grin on her face and appears to be pumping her fists with excitement.
After the photo went viral, Urbano honored his end of the bet, picking up a pet from a local animal shelter.
'"Never, ever did we think this was going to happen," their mom, Marisa, said in an interview on "Good Morning America." "We figured our friends and maybe their friends would be nice and kind and share with each other."
The kids named their new cat Hairietta L. Pawturr, with the "L" standing for the massive amount of Facebook "likes."
Hairietta L. Pawturr poses skeptically with her new social media expert owner (Facebook)