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Maxwell was abandoned as a baby by his mother in my apartment complex. I would often hear about him through neighbors who fed him, but then something happened - he vanished.

I heard he was down the road getting fat thanks to the employees at a retirement community, but one day, I was outside and spotted this skinny orange cat. I was shocked to realize it was Maxwell. I found out later that the boss threatened to fire anyone who continued to feed stray cats. Maxwell didn't know how to fend for himself and ended up becoming a skeleton. I could see every bone.

I gently told him to wait as I went and got him food. He never went hungry after that day. I already had two cats, so a neighbor decided to take him. I would often visit Maxwell at my neighbor's, but he always seemed to want to come with me.

When his owner ended up in the hospital, I received a call from his daughter explaining that they decided to take Maxwell to the pound. I didn't sleep all night. This cat was a fighter, and in this pound he stood no chance, as they were euthanizing animals there.

That morning, I knocked on my neighbor's door carrying a cat carrier and gently put my friend in. Maxwell almost seemed to know I was saving him. He now sleeps next to me every night and waits for me to come home from work. He never leaves my side - as I write this, he is playing with his toys. He is a true fighter and, for that, I will never give up on him. He is my friend, my companion and hero. He has seen a cruel world but still shows nothing but love and for that, all I can give him is love.

Story submitted by Jennifer from Daytona Beach, Florida.

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