“We will be checking in because we are now, unfortunately, a wee bit bonded.”
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman leaned into the supernatural theme of their new film, “Practical Magic 2,” when they joined The Dodo for a special Dream Date.
Dressed in black and armed with witch hats, the actresses were ready for something a little spooky.
That mood changed almost immediately when their dates arrived.
Waiting for them were two young rescue animals: Pawla, a 4-month-old black kitten who is part of a bonded pair, and Tagliatelle, a 3-month-old puppy.
Both animals quickly won over Bullock and Kidman.
Bullock also used the moment to draw attention to the challenges black shelter animals often face when it comes to adoption.
“Black animals have a much harder time being adopted from the shelters,” she said in a video for The Dodo. “Primarily because of suspicion that shouldn’t exist. I have two black cats. We call them our house panthers.”
The group soon moved on to a Halloween-inspired game involving several witch hats.
Under each hat was a surprise, ranging from toys and treats to conversation prompts.
The spooky theme eventually led Bullock to share stories about three occasions when she believed she had encountered a ghost.
Tagliatelle appeared a little uneasy during the story, prompting Bullock to check in with the puppy.
“How was that story? Was that too much?” she joked.
Afterward, Bullock and Kidman talked about the rescue animals they have had in their own lives while continuing to spoil Pawla and Tagliatelle with affection, snacks and toys.
Bullock even admitted that, between the two actresses, she would be the more likely one to cancel plans in favor of staying home with her pets.
As the date continued, the conversation became more personal.
While cuddling their furry companions, Bullock and Kidman reflected on their friendship and what they had learned from working together.
“We gave each other a lot of grace to navigate a journey of telling a story,” Bullock said.
By then, both actresses had clearly become attached to their new four-legged friends.
They asked whether the families who eventually adopt Pawla and Tagliatelle could continue sending photos and updates so they would know how the animals were doing.
“We want yearly update photos,” Bullock said. “First day of school, you know, milestones.”
When it was finally time to say goodbye, the actresses wished both pets happy futures and hoped they would soon find loving permanent homes.
But Bullock made it clear that saying goodbye did not mean forgetting them.
“We will be checking in because we are now, unfortunately, a wee bit bonded,” she said.
What began as a playful, witchy date inspired by “Practical Magic 2” ended with something much sweeter: two rescue animals finding a pair of very enthusiastic new fans.