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!

I was an avowed dog lover, so I can't explain what happened on April 15, 2004, when I arrived early at a mall and the only store open was the pet store.

I walked past display cages of rescue cats and heard a voice. I turned to look into a pair of pale green eyes, and life changed forever. The next thing I knew, I was going home with a beautiful orange tabby, Lizzie. My three kids were stunned.

She came into our lives when we needed her most, when we needed to be reminded that love heals. She was so smart and such a good mother to my children that I called them her kiddens. She would constantly clean them! 'LizzieBits', 'Busy Lizzie', 'Thunderin' Ginger', she brought nothing but love, laughter, joy and compassion into our lives. And she had the best smile!

On December 27, 2013, we took her to the vet for a cold and strange drooling. I asked the vet to get her better, because "this cat has to live forever". Within minutes we were told she had one week - oral cancer. They brought me two cans of food. I don't know what I looked like, but the tech brought me four more and said they would refund the unopened cans.

A week later, I called the vet to come to the house. My son curled his arms around and lay his head by hers. With closed eyes, she slowly started cleaning his cheek. She opened her eyes, got up, jumped on the table and hollered at us. It was miraculous. Her kiddens still needed her. I cancelled the vet.

We made it to can 35. For five more weeks, she fought to be with us. The vet couldn't explain it. I can - love.

We lost our beautiful girl on February 10, 2014. We were devastated. I knew I couldn't get another cat. But Lizzie gave us one last gift of love - on February 14, Valentine's Day, she led me to a street stray, Jackie, who is learning to purr... and smile... because of love.

Story submitted by Ann from Winnipeg, Canada.

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