This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Submit your own rescue story here. Your story just might be the next to be featured on our blog!

Keds is my miracle cat. He’s 12-years-old. I rescued him at 10-months-old when I found him outside my apartment door almost dead. He couldn’t even hold his head up. I got him into the vet and was told twice to euthanize him, but I refused.

CAT. PHOTO: PIXABAY / ERIN

He had two critical diseases: FIV (Feline Aids) and Hemobartonella. FIV compromises the immune system, and Hemobartonella robs the animal of their red blood cells, from fleas and ticks biting them. The vet gave him a blood transfusion, and he remained in ICU for several days, suffering seizures and not even being able to raise his head up. However, on the fourth day, he sat up and began eating.

I took him home two days later when all he could do was stand up. I administered fluids and lots of meds to him for one week. Then, he went back to the vet to be neutered. He then became a totally indoor kitty. He sways his head side-to-side just a little. There was no way to tell if he suffered brain damage. I watch him closely for any signs of sickness.

PHOTO: CHERI DOOLITTLE

Over the years, he’s had a couple of severe eye infections. He was diagnosed with Stomatitis three years ago, and we wound up doing a full tooth extraction on him a year ago. He did not recover from that so quickly, and it was scary. However, he’s "all good" to this day. He mainly eats soft food, but he still likes to gum his hard food. Keds is my miracle cat.

Story submitted by Cheri Doolittle from Albany, New York.

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