It was love at first sight between Miss. Carmen and myself ( Muffins).

Prior to adopting me, Miss. Carmen would

spend countless hours at our animal shelter.

Gracie, Olive and I, we emphatically knew her schedule.

She came in at least one to two times a week. Miss. Carmen appeared lonely but content.

She would just stroll up and down the Isles of the shelter. It was like she was “window shopping,” taking her sweet time as she concentrated on picking

out that ever so special gift.

Miss. Carmen visited our shelter on such a regular bases, that one day the manager Mr. Alexander, even offered her a job!

Unfortunately, Miss. Carmen

is unable to work, due to being on disability.

She suffers from multiple ailments, such as migraines and chronic back pain.

She relies heavily on her painkillers, in order to maintain a reasonable quality of life.

Miss. Carmen also recently received an approval letter from her doctor. The letter informed her

that due to her illnesses, she would greatly benefit from an “emotional support cat.”

And thankfully, that’s how “little old me”

“Muffins,” entered into the picture.

It’s been two years since the adoption became final! Miss. Carmen took me into my new home! No doubt, that was the happiest day of my life!

My other feline friends, were definitely in major competition with me!

I just knew Miss. Carmen would be choosing either “Gracie or “Olive” because each of those girls knew how to turn on the charm!

We each realized, that Miss. Carmen came in search of the perfect kitty.

And whichever one of us she chose, she wouldn’t have any regrets. I must admit I

( Muffins ), am a really “good girl” and constantly dreamed of my “forever home.”

I envisioned myself, being an impeccable candidate.

I remembered being completely aware of Miss. Carmen during her shelter visits. She always appeared laser focused, but oblivious to me.

No, she never really noticed my existence.

Until one day, she accidentally dropped

her silky purple scarf, out of her purse. Her scarf just so happened to land in front of my crate.

Miss. Carmen gingerly stooped down to retrieve her scarf. Due to her “bad back”she remained in that position for a few seconds, before rising.

As she slowly stood up, that’s when our eyes met and honed in on each other.

Miss. Carmine’s ocean blue eyes were fixated on me. It seemed as if she was in a trance, and just discovered something, that she missed in her life.

“That’s the one!, That’s the one!

Can I please hold this sweet kitty?”

She cheerfully asked the shelter assistant.

When she held me, I cuddled up into her arms, flashed my emerald green eyes, and gave

Miss. Carmen my longest, warmest cat purrrrr ever! That’s all it took!

I was hers… And, she was mine now!

As she caressed and rubbed my calico coat

with such adoration, she affectionately exclaimed, “You’re going home with me today cutie! You’re My Sweet Muffins!, You’re just what the doctor ordered!”

Excitement and Joy filled my heart!

Thankfully, it all worked out the way it did, because I had already reached my allotted amount of days for the shelter.

I and so many other of my feline friends, were living on borrowed time. Our names were on the list, to visit the “dark room,” as we felines like to call it.

My Miss. Carmen changed all that!

She rescued me from the “dark room!”

And, because she rescued me, I promised myself to always love, cherish and protect her!

I would be the best feline companion ever!

Miss. Carmen and I lived alone in her lavishly, decorated condominium. I absolutely loved my new home!

As I throughly enjoyed sun bathing in my picturesque living room window! I loved all of my beautiful cat beds throughout the condo, loved my softly woven cat hammocks, adored my multicolored cat stands, and am amazed at the countless toys of all shapes and sizes that were now all mine!

Although, I truly missed Gracie and Olive my life

had torpedoed to the top of the mountain!

And, Miss. Carmen deserved all the credit for making this happen and rescuing me!

In addition to being Miss. Carmen’s support cat

I gladly embraced the opportunity of also being her friend, her fur baby, her confidant and her protector.

“Whew!” I acquired a plethora of roles, but I could handle them all.

The only thing I could not handle, would have to be… the mistreatment of Miss. Carmen.

Just recently Miss. Carmen sobbed,

tears flowed onto my soft fur, as she embraced me on her lap. She confided in me and informed me that some of her medication had been stolen.

Stolen! I thought, UGH! How Awful!

I cuddled in her lap, attempting to calm her, as she rubbed my calico coat ever so gently, and the tears were streaming down her face.

“ Muffins I’m in an enormous amount of pain! can you believe someone would tamper with,

and take my much needed pain medication?”

She cried.

Someone had the audacity to come into our lovely home, disrupt our peace and just blatantly steal! They totally disregarded

the needs of Miss. Carmen.

We loved to entertain. But our circle of friends and family consisted of a very small group.

Recently I was dumbfounded as I sunbathed in our bay bathroom window. I couldn’t help but ponder as to why someone would take advantage of her like that!

Who would have the heart to steal her much needed medication from her?

Miss. Carmen, such a lovely lady just did not deserve to be treated like this!

It happened to be two days later…

after being in deep thought and asking myself who would do something so awful?

I received my answer …

For the last two weeks Miss. Carmen had various carpenters, painters, plumbers in and out of our condo, due to being in the process,

of having renovation work completed.

So there were several workers coming and going all day long, working.

On this particular day, while minding my own

business , sunbathing and relaxing in my cat hammock in our master bedroom. I observe something that appeared very suspicious to me.

“Why is that painter opening and looking in

Miss Carmen’s dresser drawers and night stands?”

I inquisitively asked myself.

Being very discreet, I continued watching as the naughty man not only peeked into her personal space, I also witnessed him retrieving things, such as Miss. Carmen’s bottles of painkillers pain patches and sleeping pills!

All of the items, were off limits and that

man, he totally should not have been

retrieving Miss. Carmen personal medication and stuffing them into his pockets!

As I continued to relax on my cat hammock, I became immersed in the malicious behavior

of this now criminal. This scandalous thief,

was clueless, his hideous crime, being committed against Miss. Carmen was being witnessed.

After his sinister act, the deplorable man gathered up all of his supplies, and prepared to leave. While saying his goodbyes to Miss. Carmen, I knew there was no time to waste.

My plan must be carried out, hastily.

I began rubbing and climbing

up and against the man’s leg.

“Awww such a nice kitty” he muttered as he attempted to shake me off his leg.

I then began hissing violently!

Afterwards I took my claws and began scratching his hands as he tried to remove me from his legs.

“Muffins, play nice! don’t scratch the nice man”

Miss. Carmen insisted.

But I did not listen, I preceded to pounce on him

with vengeance!

I continued to climb, claw, scratch, screech and hiss loudly.

The thief began jumping, hoping and bolting for the front door. He accidentally tripped, and became entangled in some electrical wires that were on the floor. He fell and tumbled awkwardly. And much to our surprise, the multiple bottles of pain medication , sleeping pills, spilled out of his pockets and landed on the floor in front of Miss.Carmen’s feet!

Miss. Carmen in a bit of shock, began sobbing uncontrollably.

“ Oh My Goodness! My Medications!”

She screamed.

She then reached down, lifted me up, and nuzzled me close to her chest. She smiled affectionately down at me,

and proudly said,

“My Muffins, I love you! and thank you!”