This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Submit your own rescue story here. Your story just might be the next to be featured on our blog!

In August 2012, we lost our 18-year-old cat, Boris, to cancer. I had adopted him from a rescue shelter when he was just six months old, and he saw me through a painful relationship breakup. My partner, Andy, also adored him. We were heartbroken by his loss, but it was too soon to adopt again.

Photo: Liz James

By late November, we felt it was time to welcome another cat into our lives. I had decided I really wanted a pair of ginger boys. We found several on rescue sites, but someone else always adopted them before we had the chance.

Then I saw an advertisement for a litter of kittens. Although I wasn't sure, Andy persuaded me to go and see them. The litter had originally consisted of three white kittens and four ginger kittens, but only two of each remained. The woman who had rescued them had promised us the last two ginger boys.

The kittens had endured a terrible start in life. Their mother's owner had neglected them horribly and even threatened to drown them. The veterinarian said he had never seen such young kittens so badly infested with fleas and mites.

When we arrived, another family was visiting at the same time. They had asked for a ginger kitten but were told the remaining two had already been reserved for us.

However, Andy picked up a little white kitten for me to see. The moment he climbed up my sweater and started chewing the buttons, I was hooked!

Meanwhile, Andy picked up the tiniest ginger boy, who immediately fell asleep in his hands. Both of us were completely smitten.

Our plans for two ginger kittens suddenly changed. We decided to adopt one white kitten and one ginger kitten, which meant the other family could also take home a ginger kitten.

We named our new family members Austin Cambridge, the white kitten, and Morris Oxford, the ginger kitten. Their names come from old makes of British cars!

Austin and Morris have now been with us for two years. They have the sweetest personalities, and we absolutely adore them.

Austin even has his own Facebook page, Ask Austin, where Morris regularly puts in a paw!

SHARE YOUR OWN RESCUE STORY

Story submitted by Liz James from Winchester, .

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