The Joseph S. and Mary Ann Bonsall Foundation

We were born, I believe, on a sunny April day.
Our home was in a large brush pile at the end of a big open field. There were woods behind us with trees and bushes that went on forever.
Our Mother was a good Mother. She brought us food to eat as best she could. Sometimes it was a mouse or a bird or a squirrel. But, mostly we went hungry.
My brothers and sisters, me, and our Mother were so hungry that we hurt all of the time.
One night Mom did not come home. She did not come home the next day or even the next. One by one my siblings left to look for food. I was alone.
No one came back.
My stomach hurt. I really needed some food. Mother had shown us how to wait and be quiet until we saw food, than we pounced. If we were fast we had dinner, however, I was hungry all the time.
I stayed hidden in the brush pile at night because of what lived in the woods. Animals, that howled and hunted in the dark.
After many days of this existence I came back to my home and it was gone.
What was left was a large, black, smoldering, smelly spot.
I ran and ran. Now I had no home. I slept in places where I could not be seen and since I am Lilly white, it was a hard thing to do.
I was hungry and scared all the time and I really didn’t feel very good.
This was more than hunger pains. I did not know where I was or where I was going. Desperate, is what I had become.
I ate whatever I could find. Nothing helped and now I was cold. Cold in theday and even colder at night.
I found a pond and drank from it. I was very thirsty. Than, I saw it.... A light?
The light was not there before I drank, but, it was there now. The light was my only hope. Maybe I could find some food.
This looked like a nice house. There was a porch and a flower box. I jumped at the door. I jumped for a long time, but I could not get in. Just as I had given up and started to make the flower box my bed the door suddenly opened and I heard someone say, “Oh, My! Little kitty, where have you come from?”
I took my chance and dashed inside. It was warm in the cabin. I rubbed all around the woman's legs. I rubbed so much that she couldn’t move without tripping on me. She bent down and touched me.
“Well, I guess you are friendly.” She spoke softly to me. “What will I feed you? I have no cat food here, hmmm, let me think..... I know, we have some canned turkey!”
I ate and ate. Never had I tasted anything so good or had so much.
“Hold on little kitty, don’t make yourself sick. Let’s save some of this for later. How about something to drink?”
I rubbed and rubbed myself on this human. I did not want to go outside again. I wanted to eat some more and sleep in this warm place.
The woman made me a bed in a small room with a little light. She fed me some more and than closed the door. I didn’t care. I was warm and for the first time in my life, I wasn’t hungry. That pain was gone.

When daylight came, the woman opened the door. She loved on me and I loved on her and best of all, she fed me again.
Soon another human came bringing more food. This food was hard and crunched when I ate it. This was new to me, but, I liked it. After I ate, they put something smelly behind my head. I tried to lick it off, but, I could not reach it.
The man that she called Honey picked me up and looked at me. I wanted him to like me so I licked his big nose. He seemed to like it. I just knew that he was nice too.
The next few days were the best of my life. I was warm, my stomach was full and best of all, I felt love.
Than, all of a sudden, there was a towel over my head and I was on my way to a place called, “The Animal Clinic.”

The people that I thought were mine were now gone and I was alone again.
I was poked and prodded, shaved and stuck with needles. They popped pills in my mouth, but, it was warm here and they gave me food.
My room was small and shiny and I slept a lot. I dreamed I heard my humans. I think the woman came and touched me. She held me and spoke, but I am not sure. Was this place my home now?
After a while I started to feel better.
One day I know I heard my humans. They were talking to the tall man with the firm hands.
“Her Pneumonia is under control but Lilly has also contracted a parasitic ailment called Toxoplasmosis and can never be around other animals, nor can she live outside. If she were to ever get sick again she could pass this sickness on to other dogs or cats. She will require special medication for about a month. ”
My humans had a tough decision to make. They have five indoor kitties of their own. I could never be with them. It was suggested that I should be put to sleep. The tall man with the firm hands said that he would support any decision that they made.
Much thought was put into my fate. it was decided that I was to be given a chance.

Here’s the plan: I am to live in Mother Mary’s Garden House during my treatment which should take about 4 weeks. When I am stronger they will have me fixed, although I am not sure what that means. Than, move in with someone who wants only one animal to love and take care of.
That would be me!

This is my story as of now. I am very thankful to “the God of All Creatures” for showing me that light.
This little kitty will NOT go hungry this Christmas!

note from Mother Mary: Lilly's story is all in my imagination until see she's the light of our farm cabin. From there, it is all very true.

For more information on Toxoplasmosis check out the web at these sites:

http://www.hdw-inc.com/healthtoxo.HTM#health
http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/reports/toxoplasmosis.html
http://web.vet.cornell.edu/Public/FHC/toxo.html
http://www.catnetwork.com/health.htm#TOXOPLASMOSIS

or talk to your Veterinarian.

Love, Mary Ann