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$5.00
SPEAK UP #88 CATS

“Cats are my best friends.” CRUELTY-FREE

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BATTLING HOMELESSNESS
ONE MAGAZINE AT A TIME

Speak Up equips people facing homelessness with a
magazine that releases their voice and gives them a
chance to work. As they buy and sell Speak Up maga­
zines, they discover dignity, develop new skills, and get
on a pathway off the streets.

Speak Up is a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

Your tax-deductible support is vital.

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GIVE THEM OPPORTUNITY

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training and supplies for homeless entrepreneurs.

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CATS I’VE OWNED
AND LOVED

By Ruth Hsieh

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I love cats. They are the joy of my life. I want to introduce
them to you. Their names were April, Dennis, Maddy, Sky,
and Ruby. I owned them at different parts of my life. They
kept me company and sheltered me with their unconditional
love. They all had different personalities. They changed my
life from despair to hope.

I hope that you enjoy the descriptions of these important
characters in my life.

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APRIL
I remember April as my best friend. She would be waiting for
me to come home and feed her. She would snuggle with me and
“purr” to show me that she was really happy and satisfied that I
came home.
I was living at the Cannon House for a couple years working at
the Christian nursing facility as a Dietary Aide. I was also a part-
time laundry aide. I worked long hours. Sleeping with April was
my biggest satisfaction in life.
I remember that I shopped at Winn Dixie for cat food and cat
litter. I used to take her to a veterinarian clinic to get her shots
and flea dips. She came home lovely and smelled clean. I person­
ally gave her baths too. I was able to afford to have a cat because
I worked two part-time jobs. April kept me emotionally healthy
at that time.
April was a character inside the house. She was very spoiled by

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me. It’s been almost 20 years, and I still miss April’s spirit and
loving care. She took care of me when I was lonely, depressed, and
unhappy. She cheered me up when I was down. When I think
about her, it makes me want to cry. I would never find another cat
like April. She gave me unforgettable memories. She comforted
me so much. It was hard to give her up for adoption. A farmer
took April and Dennis (another cat) to the farm. I never saw her
again. She meant so much to me. I want to hold her again.
As I keep thinking about April, my tears are rolling down.
I did pray to God when me and April had to say good-bye. She
was so loving and kind. I will not forget her. Such a loyal, caring
cat. I thank God He gave her to me at this time of my pilgrim
journey. She made me feel strong like I was the only person who
could take care of her. She had white paws and a white chest. I
will never forget her.

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DENNIS
Back in the nineties, I loved an orange tabby cat named Dennis.
He was a very shy cat. He liked to kick my door with his legs.
My housemate, Troy, told me that when I went to work, Dennis
tried to escape out of my room. He used to side kick like he was
doing a Karate kick. It made a very loud noise when he kicked my
bedroom door.
My other cat, April, would get very jealous when I spent time
with Dennis. So often, Dennis would come running out of the
door to the street. I had to chase him back home. I was mad. But
Dennis didn’t care when I came home and disciplined him. He
acted like nothing happened. He would wag his tail in front of me
and walk away.
I had to move from the Cannon House in Lexington, KY, when
my window was broken by someone in the middle of the night.
When I moved to St. James apartments, I had to leave April and

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Dennis to be adopted. After I said good-bye to them, I was sad
and crying for a long time. Later on, when I went back to the
veterinary clinic, the office lady said that when I left April and
Dennis at the clinic, they did not have an appetite to eat.
I still have memories of when I went to the grocery store to get cat
food and litter for both of them. I was happy, and I was content.

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MADDY
In 2016, my sister allowed me to rent her rental-property house.
She found litter of cats under a shack. There were three kittens in
the litter, and I came to own all three. She named one of the cats
Maddy. Maddy was a feral cat. She was a tuxedo cat: black and
white with white paws. She loved to have beef with liver cat treats.
She kept company with me at night and loved to snuggle under
my blanket and sleep with me.
Maddy allowed me to bathe her when the weather was 90 degrees
outside. I sprinkled water on her to keep her body temperature
cooled down.
Maddy followed me to the bus stop in the mornings. She tried to
catch the bus with me one time Sometimes, she would wait for
me to come home to feed her cat food. My sister kicked me out of
the house and took Maddy away from me. I’ll tell you about the
other two cats.

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SKY
Sky was a spotted gray feral cat. He loved humans and was a
peacemaker. He never fought, was never unsatisfied, always smil­
ing. He loved for me to pet him on the head. Sky loved kids and
babies. He loved me when I kissed his face and then he would shy
away.
Sky loved tuna and fish treats. Sometimes I fed him with human
food–baked chicken. He loved chicken and turkey treats. He was
the most affectionate cat I’ve ever met (besides April). Sky had a
love for humans and was gentle, like he was wearing an angel’s
halo around his head. Even though he was a male cat, he was very
affectionate. He smiled at me a lot and always seemed happy.

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RUBY
Ruby was an all-white cat. He liked to explore the garden and
hunt mice and squirrels. He was a kitten until he grew to be like
25-30 pounds. Many times, he would bring a dead mouse or
squirrel tails back to me to let me see what he had done. He liked
to fight for the cat treats with Maddy and Sky. He liked to hide in
the neighborhood soccer field and play soccer with the kids.
April, Dennis, Maddy, Sky and Ruby were all homeless cats, but
I took care of them very well. I am sure they will get fed well and
be happy now.
Cats are my best friends. When I don’t have anyone else in my
family, I can still count on them as my family and friends. I am
just amazed that God created those creatures to mean so much in
my life. I could not thank God enough daily. They were all full of
humor and colorful personalities. Someday, I hope to own some
therapy cats again. For now I am just wishing.

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meow!

GET YOURSELF
OFF THE STREETS!

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Up and sell the magzine. Your first 20 copies of the mag­
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