Many years ago a man named Stacy was out with his dog, Bailey, when all of a sudden something ran up Stacy's leg, climbed up his back, and clung on for dear life with very sharp claws. Stacy ran home, having no idea what was on his back. It wasn't until he took his coat off that he realized it was a cat! Although this new kitty initially didn't like Bailey, they did become very good friends and Momma, as the cat came to be known, would sleep between Bailey's legs.
Sadly, in August of 2011, Stacy had to put Bailey down. Since Momma and Bailey were very bonded by that time, she took it quite hard. Several days later she disappeared and was found on a deck just a street away during a bad storm. Momma was hungry and thirsty, and was brought to HART as a stray. Stacy tried to find Momma and was very distressed, as she was a very important part of his life. But...he just knew she wasn't dead.
At the shelter, the stray cat was named Renni, and as part of a routine surrender she received medical care, was tested for rabies and distemper, and received vaccinations. She had been spayed and obviously had been well cared for and loved.
Renni was not thrilled to be in the shelter and was quite stressed. Margaret Bussa, a HART volunteer, felt drawn to the little girl and started to spend time with her. Renni lived in the hallway where there were fewer cats. She could look out the back door and sit in the sun. Margaret would spend time with Renni, brushing her and holding her. They developed a fondness for each other. Other volunteers also fell in love with the little black girl with the attitude and very interesting meow. (I was one of them!)
In July of this year, Stacy's roommates, Sarah and Hannah, began volunteering at HART. They noticed Renni's similarity in looks and actions to Momma. A couple of weeks later, after hearing Renni meow and seeing the surrender date and location from Renni's file, they realized Renni had to be Momma. Stacy was called, and he immediately came to the shelter.
When Stacy arrived, Renni was in the hall sleeping. Several HART volunteers were anxiously waiting on the outcome of this meeting. Stacy saw this black kitty, sat down on the floor, and called "Momma." Much to everyone's amazement, Renni immediately ran to Stacy, bounded into his arms, wrapped her front legs around his neck, began kneading, giving love bites and purring. Justin like Momma had found Stacy years before on a dark, rainy night in Freeport! Momma knew her name and definitely knew her man!
Stacy kept repeating, "Oh Momma, I knew you were alive and that I would find you." Momma was hugging Stacy and rubbing up against him. There was NO doubt that these two were old friends. Stacy had tears of joy running down his face. There was not a dry eye in the building as these two were reunited after almost a year. As Carmen Girard, a volunteer and Board member who witnessed the reunion says, "You had to be there to appreciate the love and devotion the two of them had for each other."
After Momma's joyful reunion, she returned to her loving home, now to be an indoor cat. Momma is so happy to be home where she definitely rules the household! Stacy says "I am so grateful that HART is a no-kill shelter because if Momma had gone to another shelter, she most likely wouldn't have survived. I'm also thankful for the great medical care she received and wish I could repay them somehow."
I was not at the shelter the day that Renni was reunited with Stacy, but I had gotten to know her during her stay at HART and she was definitely a special cat. It makes me very happy that she was able to go home with someone that she shared such a special bond with.
* This story is excerpted from HART's annual donation appeal letter.
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