When you are “hopeless,” you are not perceived as powerful.
When you are “helpless,” you are not expected to achieve much.
But the weak have a strength that the mighty know nothing about.
And I am here to tell you about the glorious things done by Chance.
Ah, but I can’t quite do that.
If I tried to tell you all that’s been accomplished by Chance, it would fill all the pages of the Earth.
Do I sound ridiculous? Very well, I will accept the charge. I am as ridiculous as a tabby cat wearing a velveteen collar shaped like an orange slice. I am as ridiculous as the turning point from death to life. I am as ridiculous as the bend in the road that looks as tiny as an elbow macaroni and as stubborn as a smile. I am as ridiculous as the Linda Fund, because I have seen what can happen by Chance.
By Chance, one small tabby believed in himself. This may not sound impressive. Every kitten is born with the confidence of ten quarterbacks and the swagger of seventy samurai.
But there was nothing ordinary about Chance. Between his tabby stripes were serious needs.
And we are not talking about “cute” needs, endearing quirks like a crooked tail or a cauliflower ear. We are talking about the type of needs people don’t like to talk about.
Chance had an uncooperative urethra, some awkward “architecture” in his delicate regions, and a tendency to leak urine.
Left to chance, such a cat is not long for this world.
But, by Chance, this cat longed to live. He could not change the circumstances of his birth, but he could deliver himself to a porch, a person, and a possibility.
He assumed he would be more welcome than an Amazon delivery. If people like to get roses and cookies and pineapples sculpted to look like Mickey Mouse, they would love to get a Chance.
By Chance, he was about to make someone’s day: “Congratulations! I am here! You are the proud recipient of a free Chance!”
He expected to be accepted.
Not even billionaires, bodybuilders, or persons named “The Rock” have that much moxie.
The first step into the light came by Chance. But, to go from light to life, love would need to close the distance.
The people on the other side of the porch had mercy on Chance, but they could not care for such a delicate cat long term. Chance would not survive without surgery. Choice was necessary now.
Ours.
Love leaves no cat to chance.
Chance had summoned all his strength to show up. He did not believe he was too weak to want, or too hopeless to hold. He had done all that he could, placing himself in the path of hope. Now it was our turn.
As a sanctuary for “cats from hopeless situations,” Tabby’s Place has a front row seat to feats of strength. We are regularly rescued by the cats we rescue. It may seem like we save them from falling off the edge of the Earth. But really, we draw from their courage to mend the world. They coax us into a kingdom where the littlest live large, and the last come first. They rearrange the architecture so every stray finds a seat at love’s table.
And, by Chance, a helpless, hopeless, leaky cat came to change our lives.
But first, we would have to save his. And we were prepared, thanks to the strongest people we know.
That’s you.
No, stop looking over your shoulder. You, in the ragged hoodie. You, in the holey jeans. You, leaking tears over every cat in pain. You, “too” sensitive and “too” emotional and “too” soft-hearted. You, brave enough to turn “helpless” into “here I am!”
If you have ever given to the Linda Fund at Tabby’s Place, you stood by Chance. The Linda Fund is our critical reserve for emergency and specialty expenses. This includes everything from intensive care for a cat hit by a car, to neurology consults for an epileptic kitten, to surgery for a cat who believes in himself but can’t relieve himself.
The Linda Fund means the helpless are not hopeless.
The Linda Fund promises that no cat’s future is left to chance.
The Linda Fund means that many great feats will be done by Chance in the years ahead. Our happy-go-lucky hero is going to live. His surgery was a success. His future is as sunny as citrus and as perfect as his persevering purr. He presents himself to each new day as though it has won the lottery, which indeed it has: “Congratulations! I am here!”
And he has been adopted.
So if you have ever felt helpless in the face of a hurting world, summon your courage.
Another Chance is taking his step into the light: “I’m here!”
We get the chance to run down the road and wrap him in our arms. Our arms may be as skinny as spaghetti, but saving someone smaller than ourselves is how we become strong.
It is the greatest power in the world.
Tell the next cat you learned that by Chance.