Rescue Stories - Donovan: He Found the Love of His Life in a McDonald's Parking Lot

Recently a dear friend, that I met through the Facebook cat community just after I started my Facebook page, passed away. When I asked for rescue story submissions for my book Sherry was one of the first people to contact me. Her beloved cat, Donovan, was a rescue and she was very excited to share his story with the world. And she was so grateful to me for including his story so his spirit would live on through my book. She didn’t realize how grateful I was to her for sharing her story with me.

Sherry had a big heart. She was kind and giving and never turned a cat (or a person) in need away. I wanted to pay homage to her in some way, so I decided to share Donovan’s story on the blog for those of you who have not read it. Donovan made his journey to the bridge a few years ago, and I know he jumped into Sherry’s arms when she made her transition. Sherry, I will forever miss you. Until we meet again, my friend. 

This is Sherry's story as told to me in 2013.
Dawn

One morning in September 2002, I was on my way to work at 5:00 a.m. I stopped at a nearby fast food restaurant to get breakfast at the drive thru, and as I pulled in to place my order, I saw a small kitten with a dark face, paws, and tail, sitting patiently at the back door. Obviously this kitten knew where to get food. But it was so small and tiny. Where was its mama? How did it get there? 

I backed my car up. (Luckily, at that time of morning, there wasn't anyone else pulling up to the drive thru.) As I got out to see about this tiny baby, it took off. Once again, I was glad there weren’t any other cars coming. After the kitten disappeared into the morning darkness, I placed my order and went on to work. 

As I started my job, something kept nagging at me about that kitten. How old was it? Where was its mother? Was it all alone? Had someone “thrown it out”? My job started at 6:00 a.m. and my shift wasn't over until 4:30 p.m., and that kitten stayed in my heart all day.

As I drove home that afternoon, I decided to go back to that fast food place and see if anyone knew anything. I talked to the manager, and he said that there were “at least six or eight kittens” and that they fed them on a regular basis. And they all had dark faces, paws, and tails. I walked around the parking lot for a bit and saw a big trash pile next to dumpster a few feet away. And sure enough, one of the kittens appeared. It was on that day that my journey into animal rescue began, and little did I know that one of those kittens would be the love of my life.

I went home and got out the phone book looking for animal rescues and found The Ark of Cleveland (TN). I called and told the man who answered (who turned out to be the director) what I had found and asked if he could help me rescue them. We met there the next afternoon and as we talked, one of the kittens again made an appearance. Then another, and another. Some were bigger than others, indicating there may be more than one litter of brothers and sisters. But no sign of a mother cat. Luckily, he agreed to help. We set out humane traps and over the next few weeks trapped eight kittens and, finally, their mother. She was a Russian Blue and didn't look like any of her babies. 

The very first kitten to be trapped was the one I had first seen that morning at the back door of the restaurant. I told the man that I wanted that one. There was just something about it.

They all went to the vet and got everything they needed. Amazingly, none had fleas or worms or anything associated with living outside, and they were healthy! The day came for me to pick up the one I wanted. The director called and said, “The one you want is a boy and he needs a name.” Oh my. I hadn't even thought about that. I sat for a minute… “Donovan,” I said. “His name is Donovan.”

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As I drove to the director’s home, many thoughts went through my head. Could I afford another cat? I already had one at home. What would she think about a new cat? We had been together for three years, just she and I. And being single and living on one income, having another cat was something I'd never even considered. But then the image of that little baby sitting at the back door waiting for food went through my head again. Actually, he hadn't been out of my head this whole time.

I pulled into the driveway, got out the carrier, and went to the door. The director let me in and took me to where Donovan was being kept. And there he was, the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. Only four months old, rolling over and over, and flopping down in front of my feet. I scooped him up, placed him in the carrier, and took him home. And I've been in love with him ever since.

He has grown into a big beautiful ragdoll, weighing in now at 18 pounds. 

I've often been told how lucky he was that I found him. But truth be told, he found me and I'm the lucky one. I found the love of my life and his name is Donovan.