"Saving Stewart"

"Stewart" came into our lives when his previous owners couldn't keep him any longer. The family he lived with was unable to keep him indoors and poor "Stewart became the victim of several cat fights.

Even though "Stewart" is a friendly feline that loves other cats and people, the bully cats of the neighborhood would often instigate horrific cat fights with him. Sadly, "Stewart" had to take several trips to the vet due to his cat fight injuries which was putting a financial strain on his owners.

One vicious cat fight left "Stewart" with a bad infection on his tail which was almost amputated until a second opinion from another vet steered the family away from amputation and treated the infection with antibiotics instead.

Despite the family's efforts to talk the grandmother of the house into letting them keep "Stewart" permanently indoors, their efforts failed and we immediately stepped in to help.

The day we picked "Stewart" up he was in his backyard. He saw us with our cat carrier in tote and it was like he knew we were there to take him home. He looked ragged and run down as he stood in front of the sliding glass door meowing at us profusely.

As we moved closer to the door, a sense of urgency blanketed my soul when I noticed that "Stewart's" left eye was swollen shut. I felt his loud cries deep in my chest. We quickly placed him in a cat carrier and headed straight for the vet.

"Stewart's" eye was infected which was caused by a herpes virus he most likely caught from a stray cat. His treatment consisted of eye drops and frequent eye exams until his eye completely healed.

Today "Stewart" is a happy and healthy Tuxedo cat. Not a day goes by that he doesn't look deep into our eyes as if to say, "thank you!" His sweet disposition makes him so easy to fall in love with and his cool and calm energy is wonderfully relaxing.

It's amazing how smart and loyal rescued pets are. Their little spirits now when they are loved because they have experienced what it's like to be neglected. As for Stewart, he shows appreciation and gratitude each day every time he rubs his head against our shins or rolls on his back for us to pet him. He truly is a joy and a gift and we are lucky to have found him!

"Frida"

When we adopted "Frida" from S.E.A.A.C.A. (South East Area Animal Control Agency) nine years ago, I never dreamed how much of an impact she would make on our lives. I've often wondered what makes humans so attached to their pets and I've come to the conclusion that we all have spiritual bonds with our pets that can not be explained.

In 1999 I hadn't really thought about getting a pet since we were living in a small apartment at the time. My partner and I were college students then and our place was small, yet, something inspired me to take a trip to the local shelter. Perhaps it was thoughts of my childhood cat "Tinkerbell" and my deep longing to have a pet in my life again. Whatever it was, there was definitely some unworldly force pulling me there.

As I walked through the shelter that was in need of a face lift at the time, I remember the feeling of sadness enveloping my soul as I heard dogs whimpering and cats meowing. Slowly I grazed down the isles of various homeless pets when my heart suddenly fell to the floor. I heard the strangest meow unlike anything I had ever heard before and without realizing it, my feet started walking so fast toward that pathetic little sound before my mind even realized where I was going. As I continued to walk toward the raspy, deep meow echoing in my ear, I stopped down the middle isle and there she was. It was like I was instantly drawn to her. One look at her big yellow-green eyes and I knew that she was mine and she knew I was hers. It was the strangest feeling. And her name came to me. in an instant I knew it had to be "Frida" because she looked just like one of the self portraits that Mexican artist Frida Kahlo had painted of herself. Kahlo is famous for portraying herself with facial hair and I couldn't resist the fact that my new kitty looked just like she had a moustache!

Now, nine years later, our bond with "Frida" is even stronger. I never could have imagined how much joy, love and silliness she would bring into our lives. Her little spirit is a constant comfort and when I think of that day that I reluctantly drove to the shelter instead of the pet store, I sigh a sigh of relief. Not only did I save my cat's life, but she in turn, saved mine.