May Rescued Spotlight: Lucky

Hey everybody, it's Truffles! The last few months I've been telling you about Rescued: The Stories of 12 Cats, Through Their Eyes, an anthology of rescue cat stories compiled by Janiss Garza, who writes the Sparkle Cat blog. Each author featured in the book has nominated a cat rescue and was assigned a month to promote the book, with a third of the profits from that month going to their rescue.

May's spotlight is Lucky, a victim of horrible cruelty who is now worshiped and adored in his forever home and using his Facebook page to help cats in need. The rescue Lucky is supporting is Homeless Animals Rescue Team (HART) of Fairfax Station.

I really enjoyed chatting with Lucky and making a new friend!

Truffles: Welcome, Lucky! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me today. Could you start by introducing yourself to us and telling us what made your story such a good fit for the Rescued anthology?

Lucky: Hello, Truffles! Thank you very much for having me as a guest on your blog! It is an honor to be featured. I always get embarassed when it's time to talk about myself! I find it is much easier to talk about other kitties. I am but a humble orange tabby boy with a wonderful family. I was found, badly injured, in Northern Virginia with no hope. My hope, with submitting my story for "Rescued" was that I would be able to tell my story and inspire folks to speak out against animal cruelty while promoting awareness for homeless animals. I was grateful to be chosen and to be in such good company.

Photo: Cynthia Voccia

While you've been in contact with some very bad people in your life, you have also met some pretty wonderful ones too. Please tell us about those you call your "angels".

I often mention that even the smallest gesture makes a HUGE difference in the life of a homeless animal. My new life started with so many people saying yes: Yes, I WILL find you a better life, yes, we CAN rescue and rehabilitate you, yes I WILL contribute moral and financial support. The list goes on and on. Honestly, with social media, a change can be sparked even by sharing a post. It's so hard to call out a discrete number of "angels" because there have been so many hoomans, and cats such as yourself, who continue to show me kindness daily. Top four angels? The vet tech who wanted to make a difference in the life of a cat, the wonderful lady who agreed to take me into rescue, the phenomenal staff at the vet and my Meowmy. I would be remiss if I didn't mention my ghost writer in there as well. I am just so so grateful to everyone who has become a part of my life. To go from a cat who had nobody to a cat who has more blessings than he knows what to do with is pretty awesome.

Photo: Cynthia Voccia

Do you have any lasting effects today from your injuries, both physical and emotional? Are you slower to trust humans now?

This is a fantastic question, Truffles, and an important one too. I do have some lingering physical and psychological issues. The skin where I was burned around my neck, shoulders, head and ears, remains paper thin and very sensitive. I wear something called "Soft Paws" on my back claws because one good scratch from me and my skin could split open again. This is true of many burn victims, so I am in good company there. I don't mind the Soft Paws any more. When I first started wearing them, it was a daily challenge to get them off! Meowmy would find my nails in all kinds of interesting positions from me trying to take them off! Recently, I sported some pink sparkle caps. I'm all for supporting good hooman causes, such as Breast Cancer awareness, but would personally have preferred something cool like, a pink mohawk, or ... yeah, no, I can't think of anything else that is cool and pink for a boy cat.

Ahem. I digress.

There are other physical issues I have to deal with as well, mostly from being a cat on the street with no access to basic veterinary care. Meowmy and the wonderful folks at Parkway Vet Clinic continue to see to my needs. The most challenging scars at the emotional scars. I love my Meowmy and Daddy unequivocally with my whole heart. That cannot be overstated. New people still terrify me. Sometimes I get used to new people coming by, but more often than not, I am hiding in my safe place in Meowmy's closet. I am very fortunate in that the people who would have a vested interest in meeting me understand completely why I am not very social and are happy to let me be. It still breaks Meowmy's heart to think of me being so scared, but when my brother Comet joins me, she is comforted by the fact that I have someone I love by my side to help me get through the scary parts of life.

Photo: Cynthia Voccia

The rescue you've chosen to receive your proceeds from the book this month is HART. What can you tell us about the important work they do for homeless animals?

I cannot say enough good things about HART in Fairfax Station, VA. I can't say enough good things about HART of Maine either! MOL. But HART of Fairfax Station, and their cat program specifically, truly embraces all aspects of animal rescue. It's not just about getting cute, adoptable animals homes, it's about making the difference in the life of a homeless animal. I have lost count of the number of special needs cats HART has taken in since I was rescued. In fact, my original angel, the vet tech, brought HART a cat that required a full leg amputation who was adopted a month after her procedure! When there is an animal in need, the folks at HART do everything they can to say yes, regardless of cost. To be fair, they are a larger organization with a wonderful support base, so that helps in terms of the socialization and financial aspect, but they have such a passion for doing right by homeless animals that has inspired me to be the best advocate I can be!

What's life like for you today?

Life today has exceeded my wildest dreams. I have a Meowmy and Daddy who share my passion for homeless animals and willingly share their gifts to help homeless animals. We have added a sister to our brood, Sassie, who has enriched our lives immensely. Our time is limited with her, we know, but through her, we treat each day as a precious gift. I have my fill of noms (as well as the noms from my not quite as fast brothers and sisters - snooze you lose, suckers!), a soft bed to lay on and more safety and comfort than I thought was possible. I have so many furiends that I get to connect with on a daily basis and, together, we have been able to improve the lives of other homeless animals. If I had to sum up my life in one word, I would say "blessed".

Photo: Cynthia Voccia

What would you like humans to learn from your story and what do you want your lasting legacy to be?

When people read my story, this is what I hope they come away with: Life hadn't always been kind to me, but, no matter what, it is important to show kindness and love to others. If we dwell on the hurt and pain of the past, we often miss the goodness the future brings. Please be kind and if you see something, say something. You cannot possibly know how much of a difference you truly are making in someone's life - hooman or animal.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for the interview. I appreciate any opportunity to tell my story. I'd also like to give one more quick "shout out", as the young hoomans say. Thank you to Miss Janiss Garza for giving me this platform and the ability to share my story. It really has been such an exciting adventure for this orange tabby boy from the wrong side of town!