The Story of a Cat Named Magnolia
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This is the story of a young cat named Magnolia.
Life has a way of surprising us with the sweetest little moments—those instances that quietly remind us of the goodness in the world. And one of those moments came about when my daughter came across a small, scruffy stray cat that ran to her in the street.
The Decision to Have Brunch:
Kendra and her boyfriend Scott were trying to decide what to do with their day yesterday morning. She wanted to have brunch at a local spot, but Scott wasn’t too keen on the idea. It could have been because he’s somewhat of a bodybuilder and carefully watches what he eats.
However, she talked him into it, and they decided to walk the approximate mile to eat brunch.
Along the way, they paused in the street in front of a magnolia tree in someone’s yard. Scott lives in a town just outside Tulsa, and he’s been trying to decide what kind of tree he wants to plant in his front yard.
A cat rushed out onto the street where the two of them stood. She wasn’t in the greatest of shape and looked malnourished. They bent down to pet her. Kendra told me later that the cat seemed agitated.
Questioning Neighbors:
I’m not sure about the exact chain of events, but I know Kendra went to nearby houses to ask if this was a cat they knew or recognized. They all told her no, and they didn’t think anyone in the neighborhood owned this cat.
Kendra didn’t feel right just leaving the cat there. Scott suggested they go to Kendra’s house, get the jeep, and take the cat to see if she had a registered microchip.
And that’s what they did. The small calico cat did not have a microchip. They fed her, and she was ravenous. Kendra drove back to the neighborhood to ask more people about the cat, but got no answers about her.
So they got a crate and drove her to a critical care vet clinic that was open on Sunday. The vet there told them that the cat was about a year old and was pregnant. She was about halfway through her pregnancy, the vet told them.
This created a quandary, as Kendra didn’t know what she should do. She told the vet she’d take the cat, but she didn’t want to take a cat that might belong to some little girl or something along those lines.
The vet told them that if that was the case, whoever owned the cat was very irresponsible. The cat was very young, pregnant, and starving. She said if you take this cat back, the cycle will continue. If someone didn’t spay her, she’d be pregnant again before long, and it would be a 45-day cycle.
“Animals are a window to your soul and a doorway to your spiritual destiny. If you let them into your life and allow them to teach you, you will be better for it.” – Kim Shotola
This little creature looked like she’d been wandering on her own for far too long. Her ribs showed, and her eyes carried that lost, cautious look that animals wear when the world has been unkind. The shelters are full of animals just like her.
A Decision To Make:
Kendra already has a cat and two dogs. Should she pay for whatever the cat needed and allow her to have the babies, or intervene in the pregnancy, as the vet had mentioned?
She didn’t want to make that decision, but she wanted to do the right thing for this poor, hungry cat. Kendra told me that she sat down and cried, undecided about what to do next.
Scott told her that the whole morning seemed like it was meant to be. He didn’t want to go for brunch in the first place, and they could easily have driven there instead of walking. But they had walked and paused to look at the magnolia tree when the cat had run out to them.
So it seemed that the cat was now in Kendra’s care. The vet told her it would cost $500 to intervene in the cat’s pregnancy, provide her with necessary care, deal with her fleas, and spay her. The vet told her that, given the cat’s condition, the kittens would likely die anyway.
The Decision:
So Kendra told her to do what needed to be done, and she’d pick the cat up the next day. The rest of the day, she was on pins and needles. She’d briefly taken the cat to her house in the crate, and her cat, Millie, had hissed at her. The dogs seemed unperturbed.
Would things work out, she wondered?
Then, around 7:30, just before the clinic would be closing at 8 p.m., Kendra called to check on the cat. The vet said that she’d suddenly had two kittens and seemed to be struggling to have one more. The kittens were stillborn.
The vet said that otherwise, she was doing okay. Kendra was relieved to know that the cat she had already named Magnolia was all right, and told the vet she’d pick her up the next day.
Before she hung up, she told the vet to do whatever she had to do to save Magnolia’s life. She would find a way to pay for it. The vet said she would.
“The best things in life are rescued.” – Author Unknown
Kendra called and told me the story about the cat, then called me again after the cat lost her kittens. She didn’t know if she’d done the right thing.
I advised her to take it a step at a time, knowing she now felt responsible for the cat she’d known for less than a day.
The Patio That Still Isn’t Yet Built:
Do you remember me telling you about the patio Kendra was having built last spring? Well, only a few poles have been put into the cement that was laid on the same day those guys widened my driveway.
Her best helper has been too busy to deal with her patio. And when you’re taking on contracts, your own desires don’t often come first.
So she has cement poured and a few poles sticking up into the air, and she wonders what her neighbors think about it all. Her patio, which she has longed for and dreamed about, is still waiting to be built.
Now, she’s the mom of a young cat that she knew absolutely nothing about 24 hours before. Everything had happened so quickly. But Kendra is not one to abandon someone or something in need. Her patio may get put off a little longer now, as she will have vet bills to pay for.
But I know this is okay with her, because she’ll know in her heart that she did the right thing. A step at a time, I told her. Just take things as they come.
A Stray Cat and My Daughter’s Big Heart:
This evening, she will pick up Magnolia after she has been spayed, and the vet has dealt with all her needs. She won’t be running around the streets frightened and begging for food.
Magnolia seemed like the appropriate name, since it was a magnolia tree that caused them to stop in the street in the first place. She’ll be called Maggie.
This morning, Kendra said she’s very excited to pick up Magnolia and bring her home this evening. As you can imagine, I have tears in my eyes writing this because I’m very proud of her.
The Story about a Cat Named Magnolia Ends Well:
Isn’t it funny how fast things can happen that change the direction of our lives?
Enough bad things are happening in this world. Greed, hate, and selfishness are a daily staple in the news cycle. But as long as there are little nuggets of hope, like the story of a cat named Magnolia, then I know that good things do happen amid these troubled times.
The whole of this narrative reminds me that compassion doesn’t require grand gestures. Sometimes it’s as simple as someone extending warmth to a creature in need. Kendra and this cat happened to find each other at just the right moment.
It is a reminder that kindness, in its purest form, can change a life—sometimes two lives at once.
This story about a cat named Magnolia is about goodness and second chances. It’s about having a daughter with a heart big enough to notice the lost, the hurting, and the overlooked, and to care for them without hesitation.
“When you adopt a pet, you save two lives—the one you adopt and the one who takes its place.” – Anonymous
I love this story. Your daughter is a very tender-hearted person. My Grandpa loved cats and recused many strays over his lifetime so I have a soft spot too for things that have gotten lost. The last cat Grandpa adopted I found while out taking a walk. The little cat was stuck in a barbed wire fence; he had a little twine string around his neck and was caught by it. If I hadn’t taken a walk that day (way out in the country); the cat would eventually have starved. It seems that Maggie has found herself a wonderful mom.
Thank you for stopping and helping the poor cat!
Brenda, Magnolia is one lucky cat. How wonderful that Kendra and Scott happened upon her. I am sorry about the kittens. Hopefully this little cat will be welcomed by Kendras pets and have great life.
I feel bad about those kittens, but the vet said Maggie was just not in good enough health to deliver healthy kittens.
Thank goodness for people like Kendra. People being cruel to animals are the worst humans on the planet. They have no voice. Such a nice heart warming feel good gesture Kendra did. I can totally understand why you are so proud of her.
I agree. Someone who could be cruel to an animal is evil.
What a beautiful story to start the day and I thank you for sharing it.
I will keep you updated on Maggie’s continuing story!
Beautiful story🥲
I won’t say it’s a beautiful story with a good ending, because Maggie’s story is just beginning!
Brenda, this was an exceptional post! I loved reading every word! It brought so much joy to my heart and a smile to my face! Kendra has a wonderful, kind and compassionate heart. She must get that from you, as I can see you doing the exact same things. You did a good job raising her. I’m so glad that sweet baby is going to get a second chance at a beautiful life where she feels safe and loved! Please keep us updated on her.
I will do that. I keep checking in with Kendra. Maggie was throwing up some for a few days, but I think it was probably due to the spaying surgery and all that has happened in her young life. She seems much better now.
Beautiful story Brenda.
Your daughter abd her boyfriend are gems!!!
I love the name Maggie.
what a verrry fortunate kitty she is!!! 😺 🐈
Hopefully in the future, you can tell us more stories and pictures of Maggie.
Terribly sorry her kittens had to die though.
Thanks for the lovely story.
I keep texting to see how she’s doing. She’s home with Kendra now in a separate room to heal. I’ll keep you updated.
Just the kind of story I need today what with all the meanness going on out in the world. Thank you Brenda!! 😉
Stories of survival and love are needed during this time in our lives.
Beautiful story with a beautiful ending….tears falling from many eyes❤
The best kind of story about a fur baby with no one to love her. She’ll have lots of love now!
Oh, I absolutely love this story! Definitely meant to be that Kendra & her BF were walking to the restaurant and finding this cat. I’m so glad this story has a happy ending. There are so many homeless, suffering kitties. Magnolia (love the name!) now has a loving, safe home. And Kendra has another fur baby to love.
She’s already fully invested in this sweet little cat.
Beautiful cat, beautiful name, beautiful story, beautiful daughter!
Thank you!
I’m so happy she took her instead of walking away like so many would have. My sister and I took in a cat, Buttons. He was a huge 20 pd sourly cat but he loved us. He actually saved both our lives by alerting us w his howls to a gas leak as well as jumping on my bed and pawing at me to wake me when an intruder was trying to gain access to my apt. Who saved who definitely played out in his case!
Smart cat! Super-smart cat!
I call these kind of things God incidents. I was thinking of your post of Kendra’s patio this morning and wondering if it was in progress and you mentioned it. Tears were in my eyes also when reading this. So happy Magnolia/Maggie found a good home.
She has so looked forward to having that patio, to go outside after work and listen to the birds, but so far it just hasn’t come about.
What a heartwarming story and what a lucky little cat! I teared up as I read this story. It is amazing how animals who are in dire need can actually help us be better human beings. Sounds like Kendra and Scott are two kind and caring people and it is as if the kitten knew this. It will be interesting to hear more about Maggie in the coming days, months, etc.
I will keep you updated!
Whenever I hear stories like this I thank God for good people.
That cat will have a good home! She had told me recently that no more pets were coming into her home because she had enough on her plate. But she’ll make room for more.
One of your best posts in a long, long time!
This was written straight from your heart,Brenda!!
Looking forward to more stories about Magnolia/Maggie the cat!
My heart just goes out to homeless animal and people. Animals have no choices.
I was anxiously awaiting the end of the story so I could type that I have tears in my eyes and am so proud of your daughter….and then you beat me to it!
Brenda, among all the things you do so well, raising daughters that are beautiful both inside and out is the best of them!
We’ve rescued many such cats over the lifetime of my family…..grandma, mom, me, and now my three daughters. Kendra should not feel badly about the kittens. Years ago, we found a pregnant unwanted cat. Mom must have thought my sisters and I would be upset, so while we were at camp, she had Pixie’s three kittens aborted during her spay. As an adult volunteer and Board Member of our Humane Society, I learned that this motto is the best approach: “We are not here to save lives, but to prevent suffering.” Had it not been for Kendra’s intervention, Magnolia would have had her kittens alone, unloved, uncomfortably. Had they survived, they’d have been doomed to the same meager existence as Mama. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Kendra!
I sent what you wrote to her.
Oh, I had some happy tears with this story! Bless your daughter for taking in this beautiful little kitty in need.
I guess there’s always room for one more. Or we make room.
It’s always the best thing when our grown daughters grow up to be good, caring people. Thank you Kendra for rescuing that beautiful kitty! As they say ” the apple didn’t fall far from that tree”.
Oh, thank you! We’re very much alike when it comes to animals.
Kendra is an Angel. You must be so proud of her compassion.
Oh, I am!
Thank you Kendra for saving that sweet kitty, and your compassion. The Cat Distribution System strikes again! That little baby knew just who to ask for help.
I thought the same thing.
WONDERFUL story!
Isn’t it nice to hear wonderful stories! I sure love to tell them!