When we announced our October giveaway, we thought we were just getting a cute video submission. What we actually got was a story that melted our hearts — the story of Rufus, a handsome black cat with a big personality and an even bigger will to live.
Back in November 2020, Hannah and her husband found Rufus, an adorable black kittenin their backyard — frozen, soaking wet, and barely hanging on after spending a cold, rainy night outside. He was just a tiny little guy, and for the first 12 hours he didn’t move as they worked tirelessly to warm him up and hydrate him. Against all odds, Rufus defrosted, recovered, and decided he wasn’t going anywhere. The plan was never to keep him…but after nights of bottle feeding and watching this little fighter come back to life, it was impossible to say goodbye. Rufus had found his people.
Fast forward to 2023, and Rufus faced a new set of challenges. Two urinary obstructions led to two separate (andincrediblyexpensive) hospital stays — but Rufus handled it like the champ he is. These days, he’s thriving on his prescription diet and getting yearly ultrasounds to keep him in tip-top shape. As Hannah puts it, their “free kitty turned into a Gucci kitty.”
Despite everything he’s been through, Rufus lives every day to the fullest. His favorite activities include breathing directly into Hannah’s face (because love), biting his dad’s ankles until he agrees to play fetch, and acting as the family “doorbell” — announcing loudly every time the dog wants to be let in.
Rufus’s story is a beautiful reminder that sometimes the best things in life are unplanned — and that a little love (and a lot of persistence) can turn a cold, rainy night into a lifetime of joy. Check out their awesome winning video below!
