2nd CHANCE
The story begins in the early days of COVID-19, a few months before isolation became the new normal. Near my workplace downtown, I heard the desperate cries of a small kitten calling for his mother. After a few days, I decided to follow the sound and found a small, dirty, and scared kitten, hungry and shivering, calling for a mother who never came.
As a kid, I was taught to be kind to animals and to treat those pure souls with kindness. They brought me comfort and loved me unconditionally. So I couldn’t just walk away and ignore a cry for help.
I gave Lady, this scared, dirty little kitten, a home and a second chance at a better life
After a few days, Lady started to trust me and play with me. When I came back from work, she would run to welcome me. It was such a relief — I had done it! She was safe, healthy, and happy. In that moment, I didn’t know this was the beginning of something much bigger, and that my life had changed for the better.
I was proud of myself — I had taken part in the change I wanted to see in the world.
Helping Them is Helping You
After a while, like every night, Lady went out for her usual patrol and returned in the morning. But this time, she cried non-stop by the door. When I let her in, she seemed fine — no wounds, no signs of struggle — but something felt different.
In the morning, I woke up and went to greet her good morning. She was curled up in the cozy bed box I had made for her — but she wasn’t alone! Five tiny, adorable kittens had entered the world: Freddy, Kebab, Toot, Louie, and Kettem.
They were so small, fragile, and full of life. They filled my days — suddenly, I had responsibility, and I had to change the bad habits I’d developed during the pandemic. In a way, they saved me — pulled me from the loneness and empty hopeless days of quarantine. Every morning, I had a reason and a purpose: to wake up, take care of them, and play all day long.
They made me smile every day and kept me going throughout this dark era
Louie & Kettem
The two brothers loved each other and were inseparable — cuddling every night, playing all day, and taking small naps together before going on little adventures outside in the woods, always together.
Then came the time to move to the big city — for Kettem, Louie, and me.
Lady loved my family and got along so well with them, so she moved in with them.
The day before we left, I let the boys out for one last adventure in the woods they loved so much. A few hours later, Kettem returned — alone. Louie never did.
I called his name and searched everywhere. I walked deep into the woods, posted signs across the neighborhood under every streetlight, and tried my luck on social media, hoping someone would see him and call me.
But all in vain. Louie was gone.
Our hearts shattered. Kettem had never been without Louie before. For the first time in his life, he was alone.
And to this day, I feel guilty, wondering if I could have done something differently. Would he still be with us if I had? What happened to him? Was he nearby?
If only I had listened to my inner voice — the one that said the woods weren’t a place for two young kats to roam. If only I hadn’t let them out that day... would he still be alive?
Heartbroken and full of guilt, I took Kettem by himself and moved to our new life.
Kettem The Kat
Kettem was looking out the window all day and night. It was a lot of change for him.
At first, he was scared — hiding in dark places and slowly exploring the apartment. But after a few weeks, he began to feel safer, especially when he was next to me. Every night, we cuddle and keep each other warm. Every morning, he meows “good morning” beside me, making sure I’m awake and that nothing has happened to me. Then he leads me to our balcony so we can sit and have our morning coffee together, watching the world wake up.
He senses when I feel low and alone, curling up on my lap and purring softly to comfort me during tough times. One of the best moments is when I come home from work—he hears my car engine and runs to the door, excitedly waiting for me to pet him and give him attention.
He is my best friend, my life companion who has stood by my side through hard and lonely times. He saved me from my darkest moments, always bringing pure joy, never leaving my side, and always making me feel needed.
Sometimes, when I look at him, I realize I’ve unknowingly signed up for the greatest heartbreak of my life. But that’s part of the lesson.
Cherish every precious moment of your journey together, because you never truly know when a walk might be someone’s last
