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I met Iris a few months ago, around June. My boyfriend and I live with my parents and brother in a small house with one main living room, a kitchen, a bathroom, and three bedrooms.

Photo: Emilee Riegel

One day, I came home with my boyfriend and found my mom in the living room, looking very grim. I asked her what was wrong. She pointed to the chair beside me.

There was a towel sitting on the chair. When I lifted it a little, I saw a small, very frightened feline looking back at me. We all agreed she did not look any older than five months.

I asked my mom where she had found her. She explained that while coming home from a friend’s house, she saw a car stop at a stop sign on a rural road, open a door, and then drive off. My mom stopped and found the cat curled up by the road, mewling.

Because my mom had our 55-pound dog in the car, and this cat was clearly terrified, she decided to drop the dog off at home and then go back to see if the cat was still there. She was. She had not moved an inch since my mom had left.

My heart melted for this poor cat, who had been left by the road to fend for herself against the many coyotes in the area. Mom asked if she could stay in my room “just for tonight,” and I said yes.

I drove to the store and picked up the necessities: food, a bowl, litter, and a litter pan. Then I set up my room for her. After that first night, when she hid under my bed, she slowly became our cat. My boyfriend and I loved her, even though my family had not been looking for a cat.

Now, Iris is happy and full of life. She has filled out a bit and now looks like the year-old cat she actually is. I cannot understand how someone could drop such a sweet and playful cat by the side of the road.

And for those who are curious, Iris and the dog, Hershey, get along perfectly fine.

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Story submitted by Emilee Riegel from Springfield, OH.

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