This is the youngest of my cats, his name is Skippy. He was dropped off at my vet's office and they didn't know what to do with him since he had so many health issues. They called him Short Bus, but I renamed him with a happy name. They called me knowing I have a soft spot for the "special" ones and I took him in. He has a cerebral disorder that makes his balance not work so properly and he walks in circles, he has OCD, he panics if his ears are touched, and I later discovered he is completely deaf which added to his various issues. We all love him just the way he is and I wouldn't trade him in for any amount of money. He brings me joy just by looking at him or holding him like a huge furry blanket. I am able to bring him into work everyday since I own my own business and he brings joy to everyone who visits him.

Elizabeth Rapalee
Mililani, Hawaii

This is Spooky and Mya. They were both rescued from The Franklin County Humane Society, although not at the same time. Spooky is the third of our seven cats and Mya is the fifth. Mya was on her last day, her time at the shelter was up. I swear she knows this. She is the most intellegent cat I've ever been around. She is loyal and protective of me. Spooky is the lone male. (Of course all of our pets have been spayed/neutered.)

Christy (Spooky Cat)

One “Tuff” Boy

About 10 years ago on a warm summer night, I was sitting in my bedroom on the second floor of our house when the peace and quiet was shattered by the horrible screaming of a cat in trouble! I saw my neighbors rushing out of their yard to the source of the noise, so I dashed down the stairs and ran to my back gate just in time to see five adults standing above this little kitten who was sitting there just swaying back and forth. I found out that the other neighbors’ dog had gotten the kitten in its mouth and was shaking it back and forth (this dog has been known to catch and eat squirrels!) My gate was locked so I couldn’t get to the poor thing so I asked one of them to bring the kitten to me. I was handed a tiny little ball of kitten that was smaller than my hand and the poor thing was covered in dog drool! I ran up the stairs into my kitchen and promptly ran the water in the sink to see if I could discover any puncture marks or other serious wounds. While I was waiting for the water to get to a decent temperature, I put the kitten on the counter. Well, this kitten promptly got up and started walking around the sink sniffing at everything! I just stood there in amazement and said “you are one tough little boy!”

My little Tuffy Boy is now 10 years old and the king of the castle! And, he is not so little now, weighing in at a hefty 19 pounds (down from 22.6 pounds)! I promised him that we are both going on a diet this year to get our weights into a more normal range. He just looks at me with those beautiful green eyes and blinks.

Someone “Smudged” the Paint

My latest cat found me about four years ago when my brother and sister-in-law arrived to pick me up for dinner, my SIL asked “who owns that cat with the beautiful green eyes?” My only reaction was “what cat?” My SIL described this beautiful long haired calico with gorgeous green eyes that was in front of my hallway door. As we were going out to dinner, I had the chance to see this gorgeous, very friendly cat. My neighbor who is also an animal lover had put out some food for the cat that was VERY skinny. During dinner we talked about who would get rid of such a beautiful, friendly cat. I decided then and there that IF the cat was still there when I came back from dinner, I would take her in. Unfortunately, when I arrived back home it was very late and very dark and I didn’t see the cat anywhere.

The next day I brought out a zip top baggie of fresh water (it’s too hard trying to juggle a bowl of water down stairs without spilling it all over) and a little aluminum bowl for the stray. I could see that she had been eating as most of the food was gone. I went about my errands that day and I was hoping that I would see this cat upon my return. As I approached the hallway entrance I didn’t see that cat anywhere. Then I decided to call for it, you know the “here kitty kitty” monologue that I’m sure everyone knows. Well to my great surprise, she came bounding out of a bush and ran right up to me! I scooped her up in my arms and brought her inside. As I have two other cats I put her in a separate room with more food, water and a litter box where I got a good chance to really look at her then – and she is beautiful. She looks like a calico cat that had her “paint” smudged! Hence, she is named “Smudge”. I brought her to the vet and she was pronounced about 1 year old and had previously had a litter of kittens, but overall she was in good health. I looked for the owner for over a month with no success. I have since had her spayed and she is current on all her shots and, thankfully, she LOVES to be brushed. She is inseparable from me and follows me everywhere in the house. She doesn’t get along with my oldest cat, but does play with her buddy “Tuffy”, though they do get a little rough sometimes and I have to yell at them to “cut it out!” We were destined to be together!

Deb Fiske