When Donald And Aggie Cooper set out on a long road trip from Texas to Pennsylvania, they never imagined they would stumble upon two motionless animals on the roadside.
Unlike many, they just couldn’t ignore what they saw. As they approached, the couple feared the worst, believing the two animals, what seemed to be a cat and a kitten, were beyond saving. But then, something unexpected happened.
Donald and Aggie are rescuers with the Unleash the Paws rescue organization in Texas. So, they can’t imagine passing by injured animals without offering help.
While driving to Pennsylvania to drop off some foster dogs, Donald spotted a yellow furball on the roadside.
Given the traffic and the situation, they assumed the tiny kitten had not survived. Still, they felt they had to stop and check.
Donald pulled over and Aggie quickly got out to check on the tiny, motionless kitten. However, what she discovered next left her both heartbroken and surprised. Aggie shared in an interview:
“I had to get out to check on the kitten because it was too dangerous for him. The cars were passing our van so close and fast, it was shaking the whole van.”
As she cautiously approached, she found the kitten’s mother lying nearby, showing no signs of life. Heartbroken, she feared the kitten had met the same fate. But just as she was about to give up, she saw the kitten moving. She recalled:
“I touched the kitten to see if he was alive. When I did, I saw his little paw move, and that’s when I picked him up.”
Aggie gently picked the kitten up and brought him into their van. He was so young that his eyes were barely open.
They named him Mile Marker 14, Interstate 70 East, Ohio, after the exact location where he was found. However, they affectionately called him Miles.
After the successful rescue, the biggest challenge was figuring out how to care for Miles during their several-week journey. In addition to that, they had six dogs in the van who had never been around a cat before.
Fortunately, everything worked out better than expected. The dogs were thrilled to meet their new furry friend, and they all quickly bonded. Aggie explained:
“They quickly learned to accept him and realized he was one of the pack. Now, the kitten thinks he is a dog and has no fear of them. He plays with our foster dogs, who adore him and shower him with affection.”
Miles turned out to be incredibly fortunate, and Aggie shared his story on TikTok to raise awareness about stopping to check on animals in need. She added:
“Now, I realize how important it is to check every animal on the side of the road. If we hadn’t turned around and stopped, I don’t think the kitten would have made it.”
After a rough start in life, Miles is ready for his next chapter – finding a forever home. He’s an energetic and lovable kitten who would be the perfect addition to a family with dogs, eager to thrive in his new life.
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