This story may touch many lives and is a true testament to what it means to be a rescuer – to quote author Vicki Myron, of the Dewey the Library cat books – there are “teachable moments that we can learn something valuable about life if our eyes and hearts are open to the world around us.” The story that follows was the rescue of an angel of opportunity by a chance meeting by a shopper who has been very kind to Last Hope and who had her eyes and heart open to the world around her. The story of this special kitty will touch many lives-her personality friendly and sweet despite the trauma she suffered.  We will never know what happened to her-but now she will have love and joy in her life-her future much better than her past.

Imagine the glitter and riches of Bloomingdale’s in Roosevelt Field Long Island, warm and bright on the inside yet bitter cold outside. Then imagine a tiny black and white kitten, hungry and hurt, looking into the doors hoping someone would help her. This is what one shopper, Karen D, saw on a Friday evening, and couldn’t get out of her mind. Although the little kitten ran from assistance at first, she ate the food left for her, and after a few days of remaining elusive, was able to be rescued using a humane trap with the help of Dale M, an experienced trapper with Last Hope. Her rescuers saw with horror that most of her tail was missing, and what was left was bloody and filthy. Enter the doctors and staff of All Creatures Veterinary Clinic in Long Beach, who took in this little kitten and gave her the expert care she needed. They had to remove the little stump that was left of her tail, which was also badly infected. At the same time they spayed her,  gave her antibiotics, pain medications and vaccinated her. Despite this tough beginning this little girl is amazingly sweet and loving; she loves her cuddles and purrs like a motorboat. In her foster home she is learning to walk and move around without her tail. She is being adopted and will be the best item ever brought back from the mall!