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On August 19, 2005, a little troublemaking kitten was brave enough to disturb the wedding of one of my classmates in Germany.

Photo: Susan L.

After I spent some time playing with him outside, he followed me as I left. When he almost ran in front of a bus, I knew I couldn’t leave him there, so I took him home with me.

He has been my best friend ever since and even moved with me to Finland. I named him Rakas, which means “Darling” in Finnish.

I love him so much. He is my perfect little baby and my everything.

After having Rakas as my only companion for five years, I noticed how eagerly he waited for me to come home after work. I realized he might need a friend.

So I started looking at animal shelters. They offered me the black cat I had always wanted, and I took him home. I named him Pumpkin because I adore Halloween.

Sadly, Pumpkin was only with us for five weeks before he passed away due to FIP. Even Rakas seemed affected. After two weeks he cried and searched the house for him.

So I decided to try again.

From the shelter I adopted a little white, black, and orange-spotted princess. I named her Hexe, which means “witch” in German. The two of them quickly grew to love each other. For almost two years, she became the other half of my heart.

Then we lost the fight against FIP again. Even as I write this, I am crying because I miss her so much.

After my big baby was alone once more, I decided to try again. I searched for cats who needed a new home and found Pedro.

Pedro had a very hard start with us, but he eventually grew to trust and love me. He and Rakas are not best friends yet, but maybe one day they will become more than cats who simply tolerate each other. I am not willing to give up on them.

One thing is certain: I will always have a rescue cat or dog.

They will all be loved here until the day they cross the Rainbow Bridge.

And every time one of them leaves, a part of me goes with them.

Please keep rescuing.

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Story submitted by Susan L. from Tampere, .

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