Hope and Hero's Story:

A serious eye infection had affected every kitten in the newborn litter.

Unfortunately, their owner attempted to treat them at home for too long before finally taking them to the Rutherford Veterinary Hospital. By then, only two kittens had survived, and they were also near death.

RCHS took the little kittens under our umbrella of vet care as soon as they were brought in. The little male had one eye that could be saved, but sadly, his sister had gone blind in both eyes. Great care was taken to stabilize the kittens to get them readyfor the eye surgery each required. Post-surgery, the kittens would now need intensive care fostering. The little male was not likely to survive the weekend without syringe feeding and constant monitoring. He was not able to maintain normal body temperature and needed to be on a heating pad. His situation seemed hopeless, but his spunky little blind sister refused to allow him to sink into hopelessness. And that is how she earned her name - Hope.

As the days went by the kittens gained strength and finally began to play and venture around their new home. At this point the little male with his one good eye became the leader for his sister, Hope, and that's how he became her Hero.

Hope and Hero lived in a secluded part of their foster home until they were three months old, and then they were introduced to the gang of cats and dogs who would be the rest of their family. Hero was able to integrate himself into daily life more quickly than Hope since one eye is all you need to be sighted! But he never left his Hope for too long, because she would call him when she wanted him.

They played together, slept together, ate together. As Hope mapped out her territory, and expanded it, she became so adept at getting around, today she looks like a sighted cat when she is on the move! They are now over a year old and fully adapted to life in their foster home, which has become their forever home.

Hope and Hero remind us of our friends and supporters who make our Humane Society work possible. Your financial gifts give us Hope that we
will be able to continue assisting pet owners and rescuing companion animals in need. You are our Heroes!

Written by Helen Jones, secretary of the Rutherford County Humane Society