In February 2013, a severe storm overtook the town of Saratoga Wyoming. The winds blew fiercely and people stayed indoors trying to avoid the nature’s fury. A local motel owner was looking out his office window when he noticed a cat hanging on the limb of a tree. The branches were swaying wildly in the fierce winds and the poor cat’s cries could be heard over the howling of the wind. Before the man could react, the poor cat lost its grip and was thrown viciously to the ground. He lay there for a moment before getting up and walking away, but with a very pronounced limp.

The next day, the motel owner noticed the cat crouching under the front porch of his motel. He called the local animal rescue group and reported that the cat was hurt and needed help. Because the rescue group was over 40 miles away and did not have a veterinarian in their small town regularly, they asked the man more probing questions about the cat’s health. He told them that the cat was eating well and could walk but was limping “pretty badly” but that the situation didn’t seem “urgent”. He agreed to take care of the cat until the shelter staff could send someone to get the cat. Due to more severe weather conditions in the area, 10 days passed before they went to pick the kitty up.

When the staff arrived at the motel, they were greeted by an adorable cat that was purring loudly. He seemed very affectionate and social. His limp was still very pronounced but he didn’t let his injury stop him. He immediately tried to jump on the counter to get closer to the staff. He missed the counter and fell to his side but got up and limped back to rub himself against the legs of the rescue group. This cat was certainly all heart!

They immediately took the cat to a veterinarian in Rawlins, Wyoming. An X-ray was taken and the cat was examined by Dr. Hones. The doctor explained that the x-ray revealed a broken leg. She said that the poor cat must have been in tremendous pain but that, at this point, the leg was nearly completely healed. Luckily, the break had been clean and, so, would heal fully and the cat was expected to make a complete recovery.

The sweet cat was placed in a foster home with a retired nurse who brought him back to good health. He was named “Turtle” due to his gimpy gait, and the fact that he loved hiding under blankets and peeking his head out to play. His limp completely disappeared over time and his active, playful nature came shining through.

Turtle was eventually adopted by a local store owner. He spends his days socializing with the customers, snuggling in the silk scarves on display, or draping himself over the store owner’s keyboard while she tries to get some work done.

No one would ever know the pain and hardship the poor cat faced in his young life. Animals are so resilient! Not only do their bones heal . . . but their hearts do as well.