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 2007, our daughter Natasha was pursuing a degree in International Studies. She was required to do a practicum in a country outside Canada. She chose Ukraine, in part because of our family’s ancestral heritage. Her placement was in a women’s shelter in Lviv, a beautiful city in the western part of the country. We visited Natasha in Lviv, not only to be with her and support her work but also to see the country and perhaps connect with relatives, although our contact information was incomplete and quite dated.

Upon arrival, we were surprised to see that she already had a visitor in her apartment. A tiny kitten with gorgeous blue eyes and oversize black ears had shown up at her window. The poor creature was starving for both food and affection. She also had a breathing issue caused by discharges from her nose. We named her Weezy (as in “wheezy”) and took her to a veterinarian for treatment. The vet informed us that she was barely two months old.

Photo: Eugene Szach

We spent the next two weeks taking day trips and looking for relatives. It should have been an exhilarating experience, but Weezy’s situation overshadowed everything. We searched strenuously for her human companions (if any) in Lviv but found none. The time to leave Ukraine was rapidly approaching for both of us and for Natasha, and we were deeply distressed about leaving our little friend behind. In desperation, we searched the Government of Canada website and discovered not only that a domestic cat under three months of age could be brought into Canada, but also that no quarantine or vaccination was required. We found a travel carrier at the local bazaar and brought her home.

Photo: Eugene Szach

During our two weeks in Ukraine, we managed to contact and visit three different groups of relatives, including two first cousins. We kept in touch with all of them and visited again two years later. What we did not anticipate was that we would bring an entirely new family member back to Canada. Weezy’s earthly journey ended recently, in her 19th year. She lit up our lives throughout that time. She was spirited, smart, gentle and very affectionate. She took every available opportunity to jump onto an empty lap or cuddle up with us in bed. We loved her to bits, and we will hold her in our hearts forever.

Story submitted by Doreen P and Eugene S of Winnipeg, MB, Canada

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