A story by Stella
This is the fourth year since I began telling you about the work of ARSofia – thinking and talking on behalf of everyone at Animal Rescue Sofia has become such a habit that I sometimes catch myself talking about me in plural… I believe this is the very first time that I am actually writing here as a single entity – me.
Today I have a personal message that I wish to relate to you, it is about a stray cat named Nicodimus who was supposed to come to my home as a fostered kitty. I have already had many cats come and go, here you can see some of the faces of our fostered animals throughout the 2 years we had opened our home to the foster kitties of ARSofia:
Nicodimus found me on his own – his sad face spoke to me from one of many, many photos of suffering animals that I see every day in my work. I saw these pictures and my heart cried out “no, this cannot be, he cannot die this way.”
I don’t know what kind of magic he has used on me, but our friendship began even before we met each other in person, so I have to think it must have been there already. Not because I think I am such a special cat-lady or whatever else, but because I have really seen MANY cats and this boy managed to walk past my heart’s barriers with no resistance.
I guess this probably happened because Nico is simply the coolest cat in the whole world! He may not have teeth, he may be infected with the feline AIDS, he may be forever scarred by allergies, he may be a food-thief, his ears may by drying out and falling (cross my heart – I saw it with my own eyes), he may be spreading his skin-bits and hair all over the place, but….
But Nico is very special and that is such a charm. Besides, he also doesn’t care one single bit. Stray cats his age (6 years) are a rare sight – they hardly survive to see so many winters. Perhaps it is for that reason that they are so clever and wise – ours surely is – smart as the Devil! He is also so patient, you’d not believe it if you saw it – he is patient with small kids and big dogs, he is OK with vacuum-cleaners and trumpets, the only things he doesn’t like is smoke in his face and spraying water – he is always so disappointed in us when he comes to check who is taking a shower, he seems to think we are making fun of him when he gets wet.
Our family has fostered many animals – cats and dogs. You miss every single one, but you cope with it, knowing that there is a bright future ahead. This time – it was impossible to say goodbye. At first – because he is so ill and unattractive, but then we knew – it was because he is our own cat. He had been wandering the streets so long, looking for us, thank God we found him the very last minute and managed to save him.
I feel a great guilt for closing down as a foster – Nico has the FIV and is infectious to other cats. But I would like to take this single opportunity to speak to you personally – listen, if you have any opportunity to foster a cat – do it, you will love it!
If you decide to get involved in this amazing adventure, all you need is to send an e-mail to Teddy: cats@arsofia.com – you will not regret it for a second. Giving a chance to a little cat that would have otherwise remained hopelessly alone on the street is the most rewarding endeavor ever. And who knows – your cat might be looking for you this very moment…
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