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After graduating from college, I found myself truly alone for the first time. I had struggled with depression in the past, and after buying my first home, I felt extremely isolated.

Photo: Dana

Animals had always been part of my life. After a serious bout of depression, my parents, who lived 2,000 miles away, told me to “go get a cat.”

The next day, I went to a pet store that featured shelter pets. Of course, I wanted a baby, and I held every kitten they had. All of them squirmed in my arms except Julia. She was the oldest at three months, but when I held her, she gave one long “meow” and fell asleep in my arms.

Done.

I renamed her Lily (bottom), and shortly afterward, she became gravely ill. My vet sent me back to the humane society because they would treat her for free, since she had been adopted within the week. At this point, she wasn’t eating anything, and I was terrified she was going to die.

I called the humane society, and they said they had no appointments for two weeks. I politely told the woman on the phone, “I’ll be bringing her in, and a doctor can see her at the earliest opportunity.”

I was not about to let this kitten die in front of me.

She had a severe upper respiratory infection. I called every day to see if I could bring her home. It was a week before they released her. Bringing her home was a victory.

However, being single and working, I realized she needed a friend. A year later, I adopted her “brother,” Madden (top), named after the shoe designer, not football.

Thirteen years later, we are still together.

I can honestly say that knowing they are waiting at home for me has made an immense difference. I agreed to care for them, and even when I was most depressed, I remembered that promise. At my lowest point, they were my reason to live.

We love each other, and sometimes that’s all you need.

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Story submitted by Dana from Mesa, AZ.

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