Pet Talk: Fur the Record—First Rescue

True animal rescue stories and pet welfare drawn from my personal experience and beyond. 

The Story of Lucky Magoo: From Feral to Forever

I wasn’t always a cat person. Growing up with a mother highly allergic to cats meant I’d never considered owning one. That changed late one summer afternoon when I was putting my bicycle away after a ride.

Mysterious Visitor

A flash of movement among the tomato plants caught my eye. A squirrel? Then I saw her—a tiny, pearl gray tuxedo kitten with white paws, studying me with large lemon-yellow eyes. The most beautiful kitten I’d ever seen, impossibly young to be fending for herself.I put out the word, “Lost Cat - Call Us.” Days passed until a man and his son arrived, hoping she was theirs. “Nope, too young,” they said, shaking their heads as they left. In a way I was glad—this kitten, whom I now called Lucky Magoo, and I had begun to bond.

A Dance of Trust

Lucky was wild, likely dumped, surviving by mousing in the vegetable garden. I knew she was mine, but bringing her inside wasn’t an option—my mother’s allergies and our two dogs made it impossible. Instead, I fed Lucky twice daily under the pine trees lining the driveway, setting her dish down and retreating inside to watch through the window.Six weeks after finding her, everything changed. When I walked outside with Lucky’s food, she was already waiting in her accustomed spot. I set the dish down, backed up ten feet, and waited while she ate. Trust! It was then I admitted Lucky had perhaps chosen me.

Secret Shelter

Late fall arrived, and as weather turned cold, I worried where Lucky was sleeping. One evening while doing laundry, my mother and I spotted Lucky curled up in the basement window well, looking right back at us. The clear plastic cover trapped warmth from the dryer vent—she’d found the warmest spot possible, a “den” with roof and yew plants in front for protection. Smart girl!We sprang into action, fitting a cardboard box with an old duvet and hot water bottle. From that night on, my mother and I took turns venturing outside in the cold, wee morning hours to refresh the hot water bottle. Lucky had chosen her place; and we’d chosen to care for her.

Winter’s Challenge 

When snow piled up fast and furious, threatening to bury the window well, I knew it was time to bring Lucky inside. But she was feral, needing to be spayed, trusting enough to eat treats from my hand but not enough to be caught.Getting creative, I asked my vet for a mild sedative, then laced a large meal with the medication. She smelled it and rejected it! Second attempt: I pulverized the pill and added more food. Soon Lucky relaxed. I grabbed her by the scruff and popped her in a carrier—off to the vet for spaying and a ten-day recovery while we weathered several storms.

Forever Home 

When I brought Lucky to the carriage house I was moving to near graduate school. I expected hesitation if not resistance with the move - especially that first night. Instead, she jumped on my bed, curled against me, purred, and slept. Lucky Magoo was home forever.From feral kitten to loving cat, Lucky never lost her wild side only trusting family and our neighbor. Every afternoon when Lucky came in, she performed her daily somersault in the living room before eating her dinner — expressing joy. Some rescues happen instantly; others, like Lucky’s, unfold over months of taming and trust, leaving forever imprints on our hearts.