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In 2008, my cat Fred battled serious illnesses all year — diabetes, seizures, a severe upper respiratory infection, hyperthyroidism, and finally cancer. I was told to bring him home because he would not last long. He fought for two more months and stayed by my side through Christmas. We said goodbye on December 28.

Throughout that heartbreaking time, I told him that if he needed to go, I would be okay, even though we had been a team for 17 years. I truly believe he held on until he knew I was ready. I came to understand that he wanted me to open my heart to another cat after he was gone.

In January, Cyrus, a Norwegian Forest Cat, came home to be with me. Soon after, I was blessed with Tress. I thought my home was full. Then I learned about a brother and sister at a nearby shelter and adopted them so they could stay together.

Unfortunately, they had bordetella and feline herpesvirus, and all the cats became sick. I did not think Alli, the sister, would survive. Months later, she was finally able to return home from isolation. Today, she is a happy cat, though once she was skittish and hesitant after everything she endured.

Later, while searching for answers to Tress’s mysterious illness, I accidentally came across two more white Norwegian Forest Cat siblings in a shelter halfway across the country. They were languishing without interest from adopters. After extensive searching, I found a transport service, and the shelter agreed to let them travel.

They arrived home during a blizzard. Cyrus was beside himself with joy to have two more of his kind to play with, since Tress can be somewhat standoffish. Angel and Spirit have since come into their own, shedding the antisocial behaviors they displayed at the shelter.

Fred wanted me to give another cat a home. I took his wish to heart — many times over.

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Story submitted by J E Buschmann from Lewiston, ME.

This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Share your very own rescue story here!