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One September day, I was at cross country practice in high school. We were all stretching after practice, when two of the team members approached us, holding a tiny kitten.

As team manager, my coach instructed me to carry the cat back to the field so the rest of the team could finish. Gently picking up the small white and black kitten, I went into the field and reluctantly placed him on the ground. As an animal lover, it was very difficult to leave him there.

I started to walk back towards practice when I looked behind me. I saw him struggling to crawl through the tall weeds, attempting to follow me. Teary eyed, I knew I could not bring him back home, so I continued walking, leaving him behind.

Later that evening, I was having dinner with my sister and parents. I told them my story about the kitten, and how bad I felt leaving him behind. My parents, who have only owned a dog while we were growing up, have never owned a cat. My mom, feeling sorry for the kitten, volunteered to drive me back to the football field with my sister.

Shortly after dinner, it was completely dark out but we pulled up to the high school football field. I stepped out of the car, calling, "Here, kitty kitty". Eventually, I heard meowing and found the same kitten I had seen earlier. I brought him into the car, and we brought him home.

At first, we tried to find out if someone had lost a cat nearby. After hearing no response, to my surprise, my parents decided that we could keep him. He was starving, had fleas, ear mites, and ringworm, and the vet had estimated he had been on his own for two weeks outside. We had him treated, and we spoil him daily.

To this day, he has been a very cuddly, loyal cat. I am so lucky to have met him 10 years ago, at the football field. We named him Lucky.

Story submitted by Amy and Stephanie Branam from Eaton Rapids, Michigan.

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