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Here's the story of my cat Simão. We don't know how it happened, but his spinal nerve is damaged for good. This prevents him from walking on four legs and peeing by himself.

CAT. PHOTO: PIXABAY / SONJA-KALEE

In the playground around the high school where I used to teach, (I'm retired now) there used to be some strays and consequently kittens very often abandoned by their mothers after being held by some school kids. I usually took them home - and during the day brought them to school - to bottle feed them until they were ready to be given up for adoption. I'd always ensured they were wanted and would be duly cared for.

Seven years ago, at the start of the school year, I noticed a cat mom with her four kittens of about 6-weeks-old. One was unable to walk on his back legs.

The general opinion was to euthanize him. I couldn't accept it and took the kitten to the vet, where he stayed for two months under treatment but to no avail. So I decided to take him home.

PHOTO: MARIA JOÃO PAMPULIM

I had to learn to help him to pee and now, seven years later, he moves and runs fast, climbs the sofas and lives happily with my other seven rescued cats and four rescued dogs. (the house is big and has a garden) He even rules over them all. He is my sweet hero!

Story submitted by Maria João Pampulim from Lisbon, Portugal.

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