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Toby Edward Horner
Location: Monroe, Michigan, USA
I just recently rescued a kitten. His name is Toby Edward. I was at my sister-n-law’s house and there was this high pitch faint meow cry in her driveway. It was a solid black kitten and when I went to pick it up I noticed her little back legs were not working. I walked the whole neighborhood looking for the owners. She was wearing a fairly new flea collar so I assumed she had to be someones pet. I live in MI and the nights were already getting pretty cold and I was not going to leave this poor thing out and about. It was just after 5pm and I knew that the vet would probably close soon if not already so I drove to the nearest vet. We were the last patients of the day as they were getting ready to lock up as I walked in.
I had already spent a few hours with this kitten, talking to her and petting her. She had already bonded with me as someone to protect her. The vet looked at her and noticed fly eggs around the base of her tail and informed me that she was very pail and dehydrated. We cleaned her up there in the office and she was trying to examine the see why her legs were not working properly.. She didnt have any lacerations or noticeable open fractures so then we got concerned about her back. The vet asked if she could do an x-ray and check for a broken back. A few moments later it was confirmed and she told me that she could send the kitten home with me but that the kitten would be in constant pain and that she would give me pain pills for this little kitten. or put her down. I made one of the hardest decisions I have ever had too. I cried for days and I was only with this kitten for a few hours but she stole my heart.
I then was on a mission to get my own kitten to love and play with. A friend of mine who knew someone who knew some who had a cat had kittens. When I went to the address I found out that there were about 40+ cats/kittens running around outdoors. There was a basket with a tiny kitten. I don’t know if it was the runt or just gave up fighting for food. When the people that lived there threw food down to attract these “wild” cats the one little kitten stayed in the basket all curled up… I picked him up and he immediately started purring and closing his eyes. You couldn’t even “catch” the others. That is the moment that Toby stole my heart. He was just barely over a pound and now he is 4lbs 8oz and still eating like there’s no tomorrow. My husband and I truely adore him and he is the sweetest kitten who loves to love and be loved!
25 Comments »
Sleepy Christmas Pounce!!
I have been a lurker on this site for a while, but your story compelled me to register. That is one of the most heartwrenching and beautiful stories I have ever read. God Bless You for giving the little black cat a few hours of love and for giving Toby a lifetime of it.
Peace and Merry Christmas to you and your family, including Toby of course.
Happy Caterday, Toby Horner! Sleeping on his back is truly a sign of trust. He’s is the cutest little guy and I’m glad you and your husband made room for Toby in your hearts and home. Merry Christmas and many happy new years.
Awww. What a cutie pie sleepy kitten! Lots o snuggles!
Indeed, bless you many times over for giving the sweet black kitten such tender love during its last hours of life. I know how difficult that is because I have had to do it myself. Hugs to you. It was the kindest and most merciful act of compassion you could do for that sweet baby.
Like the Tao, inside every bad thing that happens is a silver lining if people will only look and be open to it. That silver lining is Toby Edward Horner! Without the sad experience preceding getting him you probably wouldn’t have had the desire at that time to get a kitten; one that also very much needed your help. Bless you again for being Toby Edward’s loving mama! Many happy loving years with this cute feline fella! I love his face, toes, and tiny foot pads! Give him snuggles and treats for me.
To all TDK’ers! May all of you and your precious feline furkids have a Merry Christmas and safe holiday!
Thank you for sharing your story of the two kittens. Bless you again!
Ahhh, that is sweet but ashame for the little black kitten. Bless you all and have a Merry Christmas.
Looks like Toby is dreaming of playing “bunny.”
The little black kitten lives on in your memory and just perhaps through the black mark ♥ on Toby’s head which he, no doubt, rubs against you.
Great Christmas gift is Toby Edward! Now go one step more, and get that person who had “40 cats” to get them spayed and neutered, at once…..
Toby is very lucky!
I want to nibble on those toesies!
Bless you for letting the little black kitten experience some love and compassion in its short life. If that incident drove you to save darling Toby, then the original kindness continues to blossom
Little Jack Horner FUZZ
Legacy of Mercy FUZZ
He is adorable!
He will love you always as will the little one who didn’t make it.
Thanks to your love and care, the little black kitten was loved and comforted, and spared from further pain. Now you’re sharing that love and care with adorable little Toby Edward Horner. What a beautiful, happy, relaxed furfriend! Bless you for your generous spirit, which brings pain as well as deep joy.
I agree with SillyCat, hopefully you can contact the local animal care agency to get those 40+ feral cats spayed and neutered – then they’ll have a happy, healthy new year.
So many TDK stories are moving and inspiring – thank you for sharing your heartfelt journey with these furfriends.
I have tears in my eyes from reading your story. Bless you.
My condolences on having to put that poor little black kitten down. Please try to take some comfort that you likely spared her a lifetime of suffering. And you now have lovely Toby to help you heal your heart! He’s just precious, I love the all-white coat (save at the top!) and the pink jelly bean toes. May you have many happy years with him
God bless you for your kindness towards two needy kittens. I’m sorry about the black kitten
but glad she knew love and kindness from a caring human before she went to the Rainbow Bridge.
Toby is just darling! Curled up on his back with his little feet in the air and a sweet expression on his pretty little face, I can see why he won your heart! Happy Holidays to you and yours, two-legged and four-legged!
I just wanted to say thank you all for all of your kind words.. Toby has truely stole my heart.. He has even recieved a few surprise Christmas gifts from family, friends, and neighbors. I still shed tears when I remember how I felt about the lil black kitten but now I just pick up Tody (he instantly starts to purrrrr with that V-8 motor of his lol) and I just snuggle my face to his and give him thousands of kisses. I have said I rescued Toby but really he rescued me. He is healing my heart. Right now at this moment he is all curled up next to my husband in the bed. With his purring and my husbands snoring I woke up and thought I would just check on TDK and see what was new this Christmas morning.. and to my surprise there was Toby’s picture!!!… Thank you so much for choosing my baby as the picture for Christmas Eve!! I am crying with happiness I feel so blessed having this lil guy in my life!!!
Thank you all again so much!!
Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas!!
Merry Christmas Toby! Your story is worthy of the season. Blessings to you and your family.
Adorable
Those sweet little hind feetsies are *killing* me!
Little Toby Edward Horner capturing you in the corner & stealing your heart our feline footsie kit the Star-kit today at TDK! His little Sis is our heavenly twinkling star of a kit today too and furever in your heart!
Wow
Aww
First of all, God bless you for taking the other little kitty and being responsible enough to end it’s little misery. And secondly, thank you for taking this little sweetie pie into your home. You will be richly blessed with the love of this fur angel.
Now, that’s the perfect Christmas Eve kitten. I think God has a very special place for those who love his smallest creatures. Toby looks like the most contented fuzz ball who ever lived. May you have many happy, snuggle-filled years together.
I found a kitten in the street one night, when I was just 18, who’d been hit by a car and had one leg totally smashed flat. I cried my heart out while we took him to the shelter for help. I’m 62 now and still think of him. He purred the whole time I held him. Some things you just never forget.