A family dropped off five of their cats. Their house, on Silverado Trial, had been flooded.

Their cats were filthy with muck from the flood waters. The water came from the Napa River which has a lot of waste in it, everything from bacteria to sewage. You name it, and the cats were covered with it. It was really nasty. If they remained in that condition for any period of time, they could have become very sick. They had been contaminated by flood water, so we had to put them in isolation.

They survived just fine. Then there was a dog that got bitten by a snake. The day started at 4 a.m., and just kept going. People were rescuing strays hoping I could take them, but I had no room. All of our cages and carriers were full.

I have two cats at home in Minnesota with my family. Beau and Skippy.

I have two cats at home in Minnesota with my family. Beau and Skippy.

Silverkit took a step forward and peered past him at Oakheart, who was standing on the far side of the clearing, watching them. Then she stared up at Crookedstar, her bright blue eyes shimmering. She was so like her mother — and like him, too, in the shape of her ears and the length of her tail. Crookedstar gazed down at her, feeling a lifetime of hope open up in front of him. For the first time that day he felt the warmth of the sun. Watch over us, Willowbreeze. We still need you.
“You’re really just training?” Silverkit mewed. “Do you promise?”
“I promise.” Crookedstar ached with joy. “I’m your father, Silverkit, and that means I will always keep my promises.