At about 10 weeks old, abandoned at 0°C on a hardware store parking lot. Children tried to kick him — their parents even encouraged it (the father owns the hardware store and didn’t want cats because “customers don’t like them” — well, more on attitudes toward cats in Moldova: see MOLDOVA CATS STORY).
So I called out my usual “mii-miii-miiau” (my standard “call” for cats — they all know it now, most respond), and he came right over. One eye totally glued shut and inflamed, pus in his nose, skin and bones, filthy… and no voice — he couldn’t even meow.
I named him HERO — because he’d be a hero if he survived.
Today, he responds to his name, comes running whenever he sees me, jumps or climbs up onto my shoulder and purrs like a V8 engine. His eye still waters occasionally, but it was saved, and he is lively and very happy.
Well… Moldova.
Hero was murdered near our front door — beaten to death on the grass by some inhuman being. I found him by chance while heading to the corner store late at night… fresh blood still dripped from his mouth. I rushed him to a vet who was still there — but he confirmed a broken neck.
Classic — a blow with a stick, aimed at a completely sweet and trusting cat…
May his soul rest in peace. What kind of world is this…
