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My parents rescued Shoes (the big cat in the picture at the bottom of the story) when he was only a few weeks old. My mom said she found him on the side of the road one day. I was born in May of 1973. He was born in June of 1973. By the time he was 2, he was a hefty 17 pounds, according to a vet record I found.

One of my fondest memories of Shoes is from the day our horse shelter burned down. All the neighbors were over trying to help put it out. I went down to the basement to go outside, and Shoes was at the screen door looking out. I opened the door and he took off with lightning speed.

I watched him as he ran to one of the neighbor's dogs. He launched himself onto the back of the dog, dug his claws in and then jumped off and ran away - probably with a huge smile on his face! It was one of the funniest things I had ever seen him do.

When he passed away at the age of 17, it was very hard for me. At the age of 17 myself, I hadn't really ever thought of him not being around. I remember one night a few weeks after he passed hearing him meowing at the front door. I almost jumped up to go let him in, but I also knew that he wouldn't be there, that it was just me hearing him and missing him.

Shoes was a great companion and friend for so many years. His last days were filled with the pain from growing old. Miss and still love you big guy...

Story submitted by Brandi M. from Portland, Oregon.

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