Minako

Growing up, my family always rescued animals. I grew up with cats no one else wanted, toads my uncle would save when he mowed and a black, whom we received after he was thrown from a car into our front yard.

As I grew, I rescued many animals. But the most memorable rescue is Minako.

It was as though the universe had wanted me to find her. I had driven a couple of hours to visit my grandparents. That night, my brother and I got into an argument. I decided to return home.

Entering my car, I realized I needed gas. I was on the phone with my spouse, telling them about the argument, when I pulled into a gas station. There was a heavy rain and the sound of tires against wet pavement. I was still on the phone, crying and angry, but through all the noise, there was a quiet sound. A sound I knew well.

I spun around and shouted. "Where is that cat?"

My eyes immediately fell upon the tiniest kitten I've ever seen without their mama. Immediately, every raging emotion calmed within me. I crouched and slowly approached the kitten. She dashed under a rock and I carefully retrieved her.

She was wet, shaking and so small she fit in my hand. I told my spouse I was bringing a kitten home, and they weren't too happy as we already had two dogs and a kitten we had rescued a few months prior. I told them we would rehome her, but I knew we wouldn't.

Once home, it was our jack-a-bee that babied her the most. We had never seen Asteria be so motherly before, but she had never been around something so small. She licked her clean and wanted to cuddle with her. Mina was so small, that I had to wet kitten chow in order for her to eat it

It was then we noticed that she had a heart on her back. Half black and half orange. I'd never seen such a beautifully, unique coat before. We named her Minako after a character in Sailor Moon (it can mean beauty depending on which character is used).

As she got older, she did develop epilepsy. However, you would never be able to tell. She's the happiest, cuddliest and friendliest cat you'll ever meet. She'll sit at the top of the stairs and meow until you call for her then she'll sit in your lap and purr.

When her little sister came along, she showed her the same love that her sisters and brother had shown. She always wants to be held and to this day, when I'm upset, she's right there to calm me down. We love our Minako.