Melina Hughes: I was on a raft, drifting on the river when I first met the cat. Going rafting was a favorite pass time of mine, but nothing as exciting or influential had ever happened before the cat. She was a ragged helpless thing, much too small for her age. She was in the water throwing out her legs in every which way in a panic. I scooped her up on to my raft and she cuddled with me for the rest of the ride. It had been a simple gesture, maybe it was even instinct, but I had affected the cat in a great way. She stayed by me on the walk home and when she felt secure again ventured out to explore the neighbourhood. She came across a boy named Jimmy, a neighbour of mine, and hung around him for a couple of days. However, it didn't take long for him to start abusing the cat, and I, her savior, did nothing to stop it.