Years ago, a brave lion wandered the kingdom in search of a home. No one knows where he came from, only that he journeyed alone through a vast desert, always searching for a place to call home.
One day, the lion was attacked by evil monsters. They came upon the lion in the hot desert, attacking him with acid that burned away his fur, his skin, and one of his eyes. The monsters left the lion to die alone in the desert, unknown and unloved. Luck was with the brave lion, and a kind soul discovered the lion and brought him to safety in her village. The lion was grievously wounded, so the kind soul sought help from the village healers. “Be brave”, she told him, as she turned his fate over to the healers.
The healers worked their magic on the brave lion. Though he was hurting, he knew that kind people were helping him, and felt safe for the first time. As he healed, he was told of a magical place not far from the village. A sanctuary for those without a home, a place of refuge for those wounded in the wide world. Milo’s Sanctuary, he knew, was where he would journey to find his true home.
The brave lion left the village and the kind healers who’d restored him to health to journey to Milo’s Sanctuary. He was welcomed to the sanctuary and hailed for his bravery for all he had endured. He was welcomed by others who shared tales of their journeys in the world, of how they too came to Milo’s to find sanctuary, and of the love and kindness they’ve experienced within its walls. “What’s your name?” they asked. “Tommy”, he answered. “We shall call you Thomas Trueheart, for through all you have suffered, your bravery and goodness remain, and your true spirit has guided you to us”.
So it was that Tommy the lost lion braved the wild, escaped pain and death at the hands of monsters, and traveled to his home at Milo’s Sanctuary. In his time at the sanctuary, Tommy became a voice for the voiceless, a beacon of hope for all those like him who cannot speak out against the hurt and the pain, and an inspiration to all who knew him. He became Sir Thomas, the bravest of all, the gentle lion, and the truest friend.
Elsewhere in the kingdom, a powerful yet gentle wizard was on a quest of his own. He traveled far and wide, seeking a place where he could use his powers to help and heal others. The wizard used purrs of peace, snuggles of solace, and cuddles of courage to heal those he met along the way.
As the wizard traveled the land, he too was set upon by the forces of darkness. A band of monsters attacked the wizard, wounding his face, eyes, and ears. He stumbled to a village, seeking aid from those he met. A kind woman helped the wizard, and told him of Milo’s Sanctuary. “A mighty and noble lion lives there, bringing peace and hope to all he meets” said the woman. “Your powers could be of great benefit to those who dwell at Milo’s Sanctuary”. So the wizard journeyed to Milo’s Sanctuary, and there he met the gentle lion. “I am Sir Thomas”, said the lion “I welcome you to our family. May you find peace and sanctuary here with us”.
The wizard became known simply as Wizard. He and the lion were fast friends, and many said they looked like brothers. The Wizard and the Lion spent many happy days together, baking in the sun, sharing wonderful meals, and visiting with those in the Sanctuary. Their friendship was an inspiration to all who met them, and their stories of courage and message of peace brought comfort and joy to many.
They two were friends until the end of their days. Sir Thomas was the first to cross over the rainbow bridge. The kingdom mourned his passing, and too soon afterward, Wizard joined him. Everyone at Milo’s Sanctuary honors them and continues to help others in their memory.
One day, the lion was attacked by evil monsters. They came upon the lion in the hot desert, attacking him with acid that burned away his fur, his skin, and one of his eyes. The monsters left the lion to die alone in the desert, unknown and unloved. Luck was with the brave lion, and a kind soul discovered the lion and brought him to safety in her village. The lion was grievously wounded, so the kind soul sought help from the village healers. “Be brave”, she told him, as she turned his fate over to the healers.
The healers worked their magic on the brave lion. Though he was hurting, he knew that kind people were helping him, and felt safe for the first time. As he healed, he was told of a magical place not far from the village. A sanctuary for those without a home, a place of refuge for those wounded in the wide world. Milo’s Sanctuary, he knew, was where he would journey to find his true home.
The brave lion left the village and the kind healers who’d restored him to health to journey to Milo’s Sanctuary. He was welcomed to the sanctuary and hailed for his bravery for all he had endured. He was welcomed by others who shared tales of their journeys in the world, of how they too came to Milo’s to find sanctuary, and of the love and kindness they’ve experienced within its walls. “What’s your name?” they asked. “Tommy”, he answered. “We shall call you Thomas Trueheart, for through all you have suffered, your bravery and goodness remain, and your true spirit has guided you to us”.
So it was that Tommy the lost lion braved the wild, escaped pain and death at the hands of monsters, and traveled to his home at Milo’s Sanctuary. In his time at the sanctuary, Tommy became a voice for the voiceless, a beacon of hope for all those like him who cannot speak out against the hurt and the pain, and an inspiration to all who knew him. He became Sir Thomas, the bravest of all, the gentle lion, and the truest friend.
Elsewhere in the kingdom, a powerful yet gentle wizard was on a quest of his own. He traveled far and wide, seeking a place where he could use his powers to help and heal others. The wizard used purrs of peace, snuggles of solace, and cuddles of courage to heal those he met along the way.
As the wizard traveled the land, he too was set upon by the forces of darkness. A band of monsters attacked the wizard, wounding his face, eyes, and ears. He stumbled to a village, seeking aid from those he met. A kind woman helped the wizard, and told him of Milo’s Sanctuary. “A mighty and noble lion lives there, bringing peace and hope to all he meets” said the woman. “Your powers could be of great benefit to those who dwell at Milo’s Sanctuary”. So the wizard journeyed to Milo’s Sanctuary, and there he met the gentle lion. “I am Sir Thomas”, said the lion “I welcome you to our family. May you find peace and sanctuary here with us”.
The wizard became known simply as Wizard. He and the lion were fast friends, and many said they looked like brothers. The Wizard and the Lion spent many happy days together, baking in the sun, sharing wonderful meals, and visiting with those in the Sanctuary. Their friendship was an inspiration to all who met them, and their stories of courage and message of peace brought comfort and joy to many.
They two were friends until the end of their days. Sir Thomas was the first to cross over the rainbow bridge. The kingdom mourned his passing, and too soon afterward, Wizard joined him. Everyone at Milo’s Sanctuary honors them and continues to help others in their memory.
Sir Thomas Trueheart
Sir Thomas Trueheart was rescued from California's high desert after humans poured a caustic substance on him, melting his face and destroying one of his eyes. He was rescued by Milo's Sanctuary, received life-saving surgical care, and was found to be FIV+ during his recovery from his injuries.
Tommy was awards CatCon's Biggest Newcomer award in 2018 and traveled to many focused events to meet his fans and spread his message of kindness towards animals and care for special needs cats. Tommy crossed the rainbow bridge in November, 2019.
Tommy's story was featured on several websites during his time with us at Milo's Sanctuary. Read more about Tommy here and follow Tommy's legacy on his Instagram
Tommy was awards CatCon's Biggest Newcomer award in 2018 and traveled to many focused events to meet his fans and spread his message of kindness towards animals and care for special needs cats. Tommy crossed the rainbow bridge in November, 2019.
Tommy's story was featured on several websites during his time with us at Milo's Sanctuary. Read more about Tommy here and follow Tommy's legacy on his Instagram
Wizard the Magical Cat
Wizard was found in South Carolina by two kind women who noticed an injured cat in their neighborhood. As they helped him heal, they realized his medical issues were more than they could handle, and reached out to Milo's Sanctuary. Seeing another cat that looked so much like our Sir Thomas, we agreed to transport Wizard to Milo's. Like Tommy, Wizard was injured, FIV+, and intentionally harmed by humans. Wizard was a sweet, trusting, and loving cat, and a friend to all who knew him. Wizard crossed the rainbow bridge in February, 2020.
From the East....
Summer hung heavy over Trueheart Haven. The air was still as dawn broke over the walls of the Sanctuary. Inside, the animals stirred, awaiting the morning meal.
Many months had passed since the deaths of Sir Thomas and the Wizard. Much had happened in those months. New friends joined the Sanctuary, kittens grew a bit and found new homes in far away lands, and old friends spent their days much as they always had, napping, playing, and socializing. Despite all the activity, many felt something was missing. “It’s just not the same without them,” said Daisy. “I feel it too,” said Hocus “It’s like we’re missing something important.”
The cats often spoke of their old friends and the light they brought to the Sanctuary. Though life here was peaceful, many yearned for the days when powerful heroes walked amongst them, spreading hope and love that extended beyond the walls of the Sanctuary.
As summer wore on, the human caretakers at Trueheart Haven had grown weary. The world outside the Sanctuary was in turmoil, and the cats felt their fear, their worry for the future, and their need for hope.
One morning, the day dawned like any other. Food was shared, jokes and laughs were exchanged around the Sanctuary, and many drifted off for mid-morning naps as the heat of the day increased. As everyone was settling in to rest, a messenger arrived at the Sanctuary with urgent news.
“What is it?” asked Fennel, approaching Jack in the hallway that led to the entrance. “Not sure yet,” replied Jack, his whiskers twitching with concern. “Something about a stranger from the East, but I lost the sounds when you approached.” They bent their heads together, ears pricked with excitement, and listened to the humans “...yes, that’s what I said. Badly hurt, and quite sick. We must go quickly! What? Golden fur? No time for that now, we must hurry!” Both cats jumped back as the door to the Sanctuary closed with a bang. The humans had left in a rush, and Fennel and Jack looked at each other in surprise. “Did they say ‘golden fur’,” inquired Fennel. “I think so!” said Jack. “What could this mean?” they both said at once, looking at each other with startled expressions.
The pair stared at the large front door, contemplating what it could mean. “From the East, they said, from the East”, Jack muttered, and then walked away, leaving Fennel alone in the hall.
Fennel wasn’t sure what to do next. Nearly everyone had settled in for their naps and would be asleep most of the day. Should she wake some of the other cats and share what she’d heard? “We hear about sick cats all the time”, she thought “Why should this be any different?” She padded off to the kitchen for a drink of water, lost in thought.
“Hey Fennel”, purred Valentino from his perch by the window. “Something on your mind?” Fennel looked up, startled out of her thoughts “Oh, hey Val”, she replied “Yeah, um, I was just in the hall with Frank, and we heard the humans talking about someone with golden fur, and they’re sick and hurt.” Valentino stretched lazily and said “Yeah, well, we hear about lots of sick and hurt cats around here. I’m sure the humans will help, they always do”. Fennel frowned down at her paws and said “Something about this sounded different. They mentioned something about “the East”. Do you know what that could mean?” Valentino rolled over, turning his back to the sun. “East? Sure, it’s that way”, he said, indicating the spot in the sky where the sun was blazing over the Sanctuary. Fennel sighed “Thanks, Val, but that wasn’t exactly helpful” she said, turning away to walk out to the catio.
As Fennel entered the catio, she found everyone napping, which was normal for mid-day. She chose a favorite spot high up on one of the shelves and settled down to think. “I’m all worked up over nothing” she thought “Valentino is right, this isn’t unusual. The humans help sick cats all the time.” Fennel curled up in a tight ball, tail on her nose. “When I wake up later, I’m sure the humans will be back and everything will make sense.” With that thought, she dozed peacefully as the sun rose to its highest point in the sky.
The cats of the Sanctuary napped away the afternoon. As the sun moved behind the hills, everyone stirred, anticipating dinner time and a lively evening of games and fun. Everyone looked forward to summer evenings. Dinner was always followed by lots of play, cuddles from the humans, and stories told by all the cats as dusk turns to night. After dark, the cats would sit in their catios, listening to crickets and scanning the night sky for bats.
Fennel rose from her perch and arched her calico spots towards the sky in a long stretch. Remembering the earlier excitement of the day, she quickly scrambled off the perch and headed inside. The humans would be back by now and she was eager to overhear more about the golden stranger.
When Fennel arrived in the kitchen, she found everyone circling their food bowls, tails twitching in agitation. Dinner was late! There were normally several humans involved in preparing dinner for so many cats. Tonight, however, only one of the caregivers was in the kitchen, slowly dishing out bowls of food to the eager cats. “Where are the other humans?” Fennel asked aloud. “Still out”, snapped Daisy, her single green eye narrowed in frustration. “Late for dinner too” she said quickly, head down in the bowl the caregiver had just placed by her paws. “This is unusual,” thought Fennel as she received her own bowl of food. Just then, there were sounds from the front of the Sanctuary. The humans were back! Fennel abandoned her meal and raced towards the front door. As the keys turned in the lock, Jack appeared at her side, his whiskers vibrating with anxiety.
The humans came through the door carrying a large crate covered in blankets. Fennel and Jack rushed forth to greet their caregivers. “Not now, my friends,” said one of the humans as they hurried through an interior door that led to the isolation ward.
As the humans passed through the door, Fennel and Jack heard a faint, raspy cry from within the crate. No words, just a long, low cry...
Jack and Fennel stared at the closed door to the isolation ward of the Sanctuary. Whoever was in the cage was in bad shape. Any answers they’d hoped for with the return of the humans hadn’t come, only more questions. Who was in there? Was this the golden-furred stranger from somewhere in the East they’d heard the humans speaking about earlier in the day?
The two cats paced up and down the hallway, hoping to catch a glimpse behind the door or a bit of conversation between the Sanctuary care givers. It was getting late, and many of the cats were once again drifting towards their favorite spots to settle in for an evening snooze. “Should we wait, or just come back in the morning?” asked Fennel. “Not sure” replied Jack “let’s wait here and see if we can overhear anything as the humans come out.”
The pair paced up and down outside the isolation ward until late that evening. When the door finally opened, they tried to see inside. Beyond the door, a dimly lit room held a large isolation enclosure. All was quiet and dark. As the humans passed through the door, they said “Fennel! Jack! It’s late. You can meet our guest when they’re feeling better.” Disappointed, they both moved away from the door.
“I’m gonna sneak in there” Fennel decided “I want to know who’s in there!” Jack looked at her with wide eyes. “Sneak in!? I don’t think that’s a very safe idea” he said wisely. “You don’t know who’s in there or what could be wrong with them!” Fennel looked at Jack with a pained expression. “I’ll bet whoever is in there is the stranger from the east with the golden fur!” she said quickly “if we find out, we can tell the others!” Jack backed away from Fennel nervously. “I want to know too, Fennel, but this sounds dangerous. You’re on your own!” With that, Jack walked away towards the living room, already filled with sleeping cats.
Fennel crouched in the darkness outside the isolation ward. She knew someone would be back to check on whoever was inside. She made herself small and hoped the humans would overlook her the next time they opened the door. Hours passed, and Fennel stayed in the shadows. It was past midnight now, and all was quiet around the Sanctuary. Cats snoozed in bed and on high perches, all of them sleeping soundly. Only Fennel was awake when the caretaker came down the hallway towards the isolation ward.
Slowly, the door to the ward was opened and Fennel slipped inside on the heels of the caretaker. Unnoticed in the dark room, she hid under a cabinet while the caretaker moved toward the cage at the back of the room. “You’ll be fine until morning” the caretaker whispered in the dark, moving back towards the door. In another second, the caretaker had gone, and Fennel was alone with whoever was in the cage.
“Hello?” she whispered “are you awake in there?” When no one answered, she crept closer to the cage. The room was dark, and the only light came from a small night light at the other side of the room, leaving the cage in shadow. She peered between the bars, and saw a lump at the back of the cage. Nothing moved within.
“I know someone is in there” she thought “We saw the cage, we heard them talking”. She tried again, this time tapping the bars with her paw. “Hello? I’m Fennel and I...I wanted to know who’s in here” she finished in a stammer.
A weak, raspy voice answered from the lump in the corner of the cage “I’m Aiden” the voice said. “Can you please tell me where I am?” Fennel puffed with excitement. Aiden was a cat! A new cat! “You’re at Trueheart Haven!” she whispered excitedly “A place for sick and injured cats to heal” There was no reply from the darkness of the cage for a long time. Finally, Aiden said “I heard them talking. There’s something wrong with me. Will I always be in this cage?”
Fennel couldn’t see Aiden and didn’t know what was wrong with him, but this was Trueheart Haven, and hope was what was needed now. “No, you won’t always be in there. I’m sure the humans will help you, just like they helped me and my friends!” she said quickly. “Friends?” Aiden replied “There are other cats here?” a note of curiosity in his soft voice. “Oh yes” said Fennel as she settled down in front of the cage “I’ll tell you all about them” Aiden sighed softly from inside the cage. Fennel wasn’t sure if he was awake, yet she talked through the early hours of the morning, telling him all about the Sanctuary.
Fennel woke with a start. She hadn’t meant to fall asleep! Early morning sun was seeping through the window shades of the Sanctuary isolation room. “Aiden?” Fennel whispered “Are you awake?” Her question was answered with a soft groan from inside the cage. “I’m still here, Fennel” came the soft reply “Thanks for staying with me last night.” Fennel didn’t tell him that she was locked in with him until the caretakers came in with his breakfast.
Fennel peered through the cage door. Though it was getting lighter in the room, it was still dim inside the cage. “Where did you come from?” Fennel asked as she peered into the dark cage.
“I was outside” he replied, “living outside alone. I didn’t have much to eat, and most humans weren’t very nice to me. One day, I started to feel very itchy. Once it started, it didn’t stop” Aiden paused, and his voice grew shaky. “I went around to some houses where people lived, hoping for some help. They chased me away. After that, I only went out at night, for food. I was so hungry…” Aiden’s voice trailed away. Fennel opened her mouth to say something, but was startled by the sounds of someone coming towards the door. She quickly scrambled away from the cage and hid under a small table by the door.
When the door opened, a caretaker came in with food and medicine for Aiden. The light in the room came on, and Fennel moved further under the table to avoid being seen. She didn’t want to get into trouble for sneaking in.
The caretaker opened the cage door, saying “good morning, handsome” very softly. With the door open, the caretaker leaned over to place food in the cage, and Fennel gasped in shock at what she saw. Inside the cage was a skinny, scabbed, and nearly hairless orange creature. “He can’t be who they spoke about” she thought wildly “golden fur?! This...cat, if that’s even what he was, didn’t even HAVE fur!” Her mind raced as she replayed all she’d heard about the stranger. Could this really be who the humans had spoken of?
The caretaker finished her tasks and headed toward the door. Fennel slipped out at her heels, trying not to be noticed. As the door swung shut, she heard Aiden’s soft voice saying “Fennel? Where did you go?”
Fennel ran as fast as she could. She had to find Jack! All the cats were beginning to stir and would soon be heading to the kitchen for breakfast. As she rounded a corner near the fireplace, she spotted Jack on an armchair, stretching himself awake. “Jack!” she cried “I’ve seen him! I’ve spoken to him!” Jack hopped down from the chair and padded over to Fennel. “Seen who, Fennel?” he asked. “The new cat, the one the humans brought back with them!” she said. “I snuck in and I spent the night in there and I talked to him” she said, now quite breathless. “You did what?!” Jack said, alarm in his voice “Fennel, that was really risky. He could be sick!” Fennel looked down at her paws, tail drooping. “He IS sick, Jack. I stayed with him all night so he wouldn’t be alone, and then…” she trailed off. “Then what?” asked Jack. “Then the caretaker came in to feed him this morning and I saw him and..oh Jack, he looked so awful. I got scared and ran away!”
Jack frowned at Fennel “Lots of cats who come here are sick and not looking their best, Fennel.” he said “Remember when I came here, my face all wired together? What about Tommy? They’d patched him together and he looked rough for months until his wound healed and his fur grew in.” Fennel felt hot shame wash through her. Jack was right. So many cats came to Trueheart Haven sick or injured. She shouldn’t fear Aiden, she should help him heal. “You’re right, Jack,” she said quietly, “I’ll find a way back to him”
Fennel didn’t have to wait long. She saw a caretaker heading out of the kitchen and followed, meowing loudly to get their attention. “What’s up, Fennel?” they asked. Fennel moved down the hall towards the isolation ward. “Oh, you’ve discovered Aiden, huh” they said as she rubbed herself along the door. “I suppose you can pop inside with me while I check on him” The caretaker opened the door and Fennel rushed inside.
Aiden was still at the front of the cage where he’d been when Fennel left. Seeing her enter, he said “you came back!” and stood up to greet her. “I’m so sorry I rushed out earlier” Fennel said quickly “I..I was afraid.” Aiden smiled at her “That’s ok, Fennel. I know I don’t look my best right now. I hear what people say about me too. I’m sick, I’ve lost my fur, and no one wanted me”
Fennel leaned closer to Aiden and said “WE want you, Aiden. Everyone here at the Sanctuary came from something awful, and we found our forever homes and forever friends right here”
Aiden looked out from the cage and said “I sure hope I get to do that too, Fennel.” Fennel smiled brightly back at Aiden and said “Hope is all you need, Aiden, you’ll see.”
With his friend at his side, Aiden began the slow process of healing. He had more to heal than just sickness and injury; his trust in others was also damaged. “Tell me what happened” Fennel asked one afternoon as they sat together, Aiden in his recovery cage and Fennel outside. “I hardly know,” said Aiden softly. “I told you about being outside, and being alone,” he began. “Then I started to itch all over. When I went to people for help, they rushed away from me, afraid of how I looked. One day, my fur started to just fall off, and I was covered in painful, itchy sores, he continued. Fennel reached her paw into the cage towards Aiden. “ That must have been awful,” she whispered. “It was,” Aiden said “I was alone, and hungry, and afraid. One really hot day, I was in the shade under some chairs in a yard. People came out and cornered me, then stuffed me in a cage. I couldn’t see what was happening. I howled for help, but no one answered.” Aiden took a deep breath, then continued. “They took me to a place filled with the sounds of animals. Dogs, other cats, and some animals I didn’t recognize. It was loud and confusing.” Fennel said “I’ve heard of those places. Lots of my friends came from places like that.” Aiden nodded “I believe it. So many voices there, asking for help...The people there fed me and checked on me. They told me I was brave, they told me I was sick and that I might not get better there. One day, someone told me I wouldn’t be able to live there anymore, and someone would need to take me out of there, or it would be my ‘last day’ there soon.” Aiden paused and looked at Fennel “The people here saved me. On that ‘last day’. They took me out of that place and brought me here. They said they hoped I would get better so I could help others heal too.” He looked out at Fennel as he finished his story. “What did they mean?”
Aiden spent several weeks in his quiet room, recovering from mange and malnutrition. When the vets told him he was healthy enough, he joined the other cats of Trueheart Haven, and met all the new friends Fennel had told him about. Jack saw him timidly enter the main room of the Sanctuary and gasped in surprise “Would you look at that,” he said in wonder “golden fur after all.” Fennel approached Jack and said “remind you of anyone?” Jack gazed after Aiden, eyes glistening “why, he looks like our Sir Thomas, and Wizard too.” Fennel smiled as she watched Aiden greet new friends. “Yep,” she said “keeps the hope alive, doesn’t, it, Jack?” Jack nodded and smiled “Yes, Fennel, hope. We could all use that right now.”
Lord Aiden Hopebringer
Lord Aiden Hopebringer was rescued from Moreno Valley shelter on his last day in July, 2020. He was sick with mange and malnutrition. Like Sir Thomas and Wizard, he is FIV+, making his recovery from illness and injury a slow process. Recently, he was healthy enough to meet his new friends at Trueheart Haven. You can follow his progress on our Facebook and Instagram pages.