Shelter Cat Thanks New Owner Who Gave Him a Second Chance by Saving Her Baby

By Anna Graham
4/6/2017

     Herbie the Love Bug used to be one of the 3.2 million cats that are in shelters each year in the United States. A friendly tabby, Herbie was set to be euthanized at the Staten Island Hope Animal Rescue when he was noticed by DeMartini, a single mother who took pity on him. DeMartini already had several pets of her own, so she was planning on merely fostering Herbie until she found him a home. Herbie, grateful for his second chance at life, showed his thanks and love for DeMartini by saving the life of her daughter.

One night when DeMartini was going to bed, the typically calm Herbie began persistently meowing at the bedroom door.

“I was thinking maybe he wants out of my room. Maybe he wants food. I just wanted to ignore it but he wouldn’t stop,” DeMartini said.

As soon as DeMartini opened the bedroom door for Herbie, he ran straight for Demartini’s daughter’s, Isabella, room.

“Herbie kept pawing at the door and when I opened it, he ran inside and jumped into her crib. Isabella had turned over while sleeping and had pulled a toy blanket over her face.” DeMartini stated.

DeMartini recalled the fear she felt for her daughter when she saw that Isabella was making loud noises as she struggled for air due to the blanket smothering her.

“I pulled the blanket off of her and held her. I almost lost her, had I not listened to Herbie and followed him.”

Obviously, after Herbie’s remarkable act, DeMartini intends to keep the heroic tabby. “He was always purring and rubbing on me — very affectionate. I always said, ‘You’re just a little love bug.’”

Man Teaches Homeless Woman to Read

By Kierstyn Kiser
4/05/17

     Greg Smith, a business man in Orlando, Florida; taught a homeless woman to read when he found out she couldn’t get a job because of her illiteracy.

Smith commented that he passed Amy Jo, the homeless woman, every day on his way to work in downtown Orlando, and instead of asking for money, she simply gave a polite “Good morning” and a “Have a blessed day.”

Smith began taking Amy Jo to lunch every Tuesday until one day she mentioned she can’t read. She confided in him saying she took every bit of money she collected and spent it on library books and reading lessons so she could get a job. She just never had anyone to teach her to read.

Smith then began to get one library book per week to read with Amy Jo on these lunch meetings hoping it would help her get a job. He comments, “I rent one library book a week and we read it together on Tuesday and she practices on her own throughout the rest of the week.”

Later Smith began a GoFundMe campaign that has raised over $2,000 and has spread awareness to those with plenty to help those without. Smith encouraged everyone to find their “Amy Jo.” He said, “I want to be able to help anybody, whether it be giving them some food or clothes. I don’t want to just narrow it down to helping people read because there’s so many other people that need more help.”

It is reported that Amy Jo is overjoyed with what she has started and can’t wait to see what will happen. This is a truly touching story that should remind us all to be on the lookout for those in need and be eager to offer aid whenever possible. It doesn’t have to be money or food or reading lessons. It would be something as simple as a smile and a “Have a nice day!”