Home for the holidays: The story of Phoenix the cat
December 6 was just another Monday morning at Capella University in downtown Minneapolis when academic advisor Nicole Neist took a break from advising master’s degree students and checked her Facebook page. Although she is a self-professed dog lover, what she saw on Facebook that morning touched her, and she sprang into action, aided by the help of her boss and colleagues.
On November 27, Phoenix had been rescued by a passerby who heard soft cries coming from a dumpster in Minneapolis. Inside was a kitten suffering from burns and wheezing from smoke inhalation, but also shivering from the cold. This Good Samaritan rescued the kitty and brought him to us. Veterinarian Dr. Shelli Stulken and a team of veterinary technicians sprang into action when the kitten was admitted.
While half his fur and all his whiskers were singed, fortunately, it turned out he did not have severe burns. Named Phoenix by our staff, the kitten bounced back quickly after receiving medical treatments. Friendly and purring, he rubbed up against his cage and sought attention from his caregivers, and in just one week Phoenix was in one of our adoption centers.
When Nicole read Phoenix’s story on the AHS Facebook page, she re-posted his photo, asking her friends, “Can someone give this cat a home?” Minutes later, she was struck by the thought that this cat was meant for her. She asked her boss and colleagues if she could leave work to be at AHS when the doors opened. Since she rides the bus to work, a coworker loaned her a car.
“When I arrived at AHS I was the first person there,” she said. “The staff there was really excited for me, and many reached out and took our picture and talked to me. The idea of Phoenix rising from the ashes is really what drew me to him and we bonded immediately.”
Nicole’s boss gave her the afternoon off, and she spent it playing with Phoenix and posting videos and photos of his homecoming. “One of my friends posted on my Facebook page, ‘You’ve gone from cat skeptic to crazy cat lady faster than anyone I have ever seen.’”
Nicole says Phoenix is really a calm presence. “He doesn’t seem to be damaged by what’s been done to him, which speaks volumes to his character. Phoenix is going to live a long and happy life. With me.”
At this time of year, please consider helping other animals in need with a gift to Animal Humane Society.
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