One summer night, I was driving home from a Gary Allan concert at Finger Lakes Community College , when I came upon a small motionless cat in the middle of the road. Alongside this cat was another cat that quickly ran away when I pulled over. I carefully picked up the cat that was in the middle of the road. It was obvious that he was hurt, so I placed him in my car. I could not find the other cat. It was pitch-black with little moonlight.
I named the cat "Gary", and figured I would bring him home; and then would try to find his owner the next day when it was daylight. He fit right in with my three-cat clan, Mr. Marbles, Beaney and Little Guy. It was hard to believe that my three cats accepted Gary so swiftly. Gary didn't have an ounce of fear in him - he just bellied right up and ate with the rest of the gang.
The next day, I drove down to see who lived in the area where I found Gary. One elderly man revealed that someone had thrown Gary and another cat out their car window. I tried and tried to find Gary's friend, but came up empty handed.
Gary was taken in for an overall checkup, and to determine why he was partially lame. Basically, he was bruised with some nerve damage. He can't lift his tail; he doesn't run; and he has a hard time jumping. But it seems he doesn't care!
At first, Gary and I just didn't have that "connection", and he didn't want much to do with me at all. I tried several times to find him a permanent home, as I had three cats already - my normal limit.
Well… after about a year, I stopped asking people to take him. I fell in love with him. He is very comical and turned into a loving and grateful pet. I can't imagine my life without this little tiger!
Now he is 13 years old and the greatest little pal ever.
Here is a portrait of "GARY" in colored pencil
(artist takes commissions regularly)
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