Happy New Year Story: Abused Cats Find Home

To start the New Year on a very happy note, I thought our readers would be just as excited as I was with the update I received the other day about the kittens from Linda R. Blakely, the Executive Director of Raccoon Valley Animal Sanctuary and Rescue.

Over the years that Linda has been involved in rescue and adoption, she has fostered innumerable needy animals. She has deeply loved each and every one of her fosters who have come into her life, many of whom had special needs requiring medication and extra care. And while she was thrilled when permanent loving homes were found for those pets ready to leave the safety and security of her tender loving care, at the same time it was always a bitter-sweet experience for her.

So when Skipper and Tipper, the two teeny orphaned kittens came into her life, it was really no different. Fortunately she was in the position to give them the constant care they required, but she was also able to watch them with gratitude and joy as they thrived, growing into happy and healthy kittens getting ready to go to their permanent loving homes.

And when the kittens were ready to move on to their families, much to her surprise, Linda became increasingly aware that a very special bond had developed between her and the boys.  She applied to herself what is required by RVAS for anyone adopting a pet from their sanctuary; a lifetime commitment of love and proper care. At the same time she was not prepared that the decision to adopt the kittens would be such an agonizing one.

They say when the student is ready, the teacher appears. Apparently Skipper and Tipper had come into Linda's life for many reasons. These two fluffy balls of fur which had so deeply touched her soul will now share their home with her forever.

At this point in her life, Linda suspects she apparently needed to be reminded of life's basics. She eloquently describes them as "surviving the odds, persevering through hardships, endurance through days that are hard, determination to succeed, forgiveness when people have done you wrong, learning to trust and of course, unconditional love. Their gift to us is the reminder that we can all live in harmony if we make a little effort.”

These kittens have survived and prospered after arriving in the world in conditions under which many of us might just have given up. They have also become inspirational, not only to Linda, but to those of us who have heard their amazing story.

Have they touched you? What are your thoughts now that they've found a forever loving home? Share them in a comment.