Cindy was found in a box at a local Walmart. A kind soul took her to the Feline Foundation in Fresno (they are now the Valley Animal Center). The plan was to spay and put her up for adoption. At a little over six pounds, she was a tiny girl. When shelter staff showed up the next morning, Cindy had given birth to two kittens. Cindy's kittens were adopted while she remained at the shelter looking for a family. With three full grown cats, my husband and I didn't think we had room to take Cindy home. We watched over her for the next two years and rejoiced when she was adopted. Our hearts sank when a few months later Cindy was returned to the shelter. When I squatted down to pet her, I placed my purse on the ground. Cindy promptly jumped into my purse and curled up. It was at that moment that we realized Cindy was destined for our home. Upon arrival at our house, Cindy's name was changed to Willow. Willow suffers from stomatitis - a gum disease. Every three months, we hop in the car and take her to the vet so that we can begin antibiotic treatment. The antibiotics seem to keep the disease under check. The only real "cure" is to remove her teeth. We are hoping that by staying on top of things we won't have to remove any of her teeth. In the mean time, she has gained weight and is a spitfire!

Jennifer Taylor
Fresno, CA