I came to Taiwan to teach. I knew of the stray cat and dog problem but was determined not to take any animal in but to foster or help in other ways. I was only going to be here for a year and I didn't think it was fair to an animal if I wasn't sure I could take it with me. All that resolve flew out the window when I saw a small kitten nearly get hit by a car while walking home from school. Fortunately, the car stopped in time and the kitten ran to safety, I tried to walk by but just couldn't do it. "I swear, I'll just keep her until I can find her a home," I said to myself. By the end of the weekend, she made me hers and stole my heart. Xiao Hu (little tiger in Mandarin) is now a permanent part of my life and will come with me to America when in return in July 2009. There are so many animals on the streets of Taiwan that could use a home. I wish I could save them all but like the story of the little boy throwing the starfish back into the ocean, "I made a difference to this one." Now, I can't imagine my life without her.

Rachel
Columbus, OH