**A Note from LeeAnn:**  When I was first told this story I was (and still am) deeply touched and asked for permission to share this story on my website. William and his human Pam gave me permission to add it to my site. (Thanks guys!) If you would like to link directly to this page please take one of the great banners made by Belinda of Bi-Mi-Kitties. Please click here for William's Banners

About five years ago, there was a young kitten living in a town about 15 miles north of me. He was an indoor-outdoor cat, mostly outdoor. His family went to Disney World for the weekend, leaving the young kitten outdoors to fend for himself.

While his family was out of town someone decided to use the kitten for cross-bow practice. When this person was done, he left the kitten to die. But the kitten had a strong will to live. He crawled many blocks (no one knows how!), and then hid in some bushes near someone's house. A woman heard the cries of a cat and sent her husband to investigate. He found the kitten. The arrows in the kitten's side quivered with each beat of his heart. The couple took the kitten to their vet, who, in turn, contacted the local humane society. The humane society agreed to underwrite the cost of the kitten's care, and rushed him to a veterinary trauma surgeon. Because the arrows had been in place for a while, an infection had begun. The surgeon had to remove parts of both lungs. The kitten then spent two weeks in intensive care, with chest tubes, on IVs and battling the infection.

"Animals can't speak so we have to be their voices, to remain silent is to condemn them to a horrible fate."

The news media, who named the kitten William Tell,  followed the saga of the kitten's battle to survive. The couple who owned William Tell had returned to town by now, only to find their kitten plastered all over the newspapers and every TV and radio news program in their area. The couple feared they would be charged with neglect,, so they waited several days before coming forward to claim ownership. Although many people tried to say the kitten was theirs (hoping to adopt him), he had one unique identifying feature, an unusual band of color on his tail, and this couple mentioned it to the humane society. Unsure of what life-long health problems William Tell might have as a result of his trauma, the couple surrendered him to the humane society's care.

When it became apparent that William Tell would survive his ordeal, the humane society announced they would begin accepting applications from people who wished to adopt him. They received 2000 telephone calls. 300 people showed up to fill out applications. One lucky person was selected to bring the kitten home -- me!! My nursing background with critically ill newborns, plus my experience with caring for my own cats, convinced the humane society that I would be well prepared to handle any long term health problems William Tell might suffer.

Five years later, William rules the roost here in my home. He is such a joy! He has enriched my life immensely. I am happy to report that he outgrew all the respiratory  problems he had as a result of his infections and surgery. As he grew, new healthy lung tissue developed, doing the work for the damaged tissue. Last year the humane society honored him for his bravery in surviving his attack. He was the guest of honor at a formal, black tie, fancy-dress ball, held to raise operating funds for the humane society. He appeared wearing a silver body harness and black tie. he greeted each and every person who came to meet him. Despite what you might expect, William is a people lover! He received a plaque, honoring his brave act of survival. William, being a true cat, accepted this as his due homage.

The police know who attacked William, but they have been unable to prosecute due to lack of evidence. I have been told the person's name three different times, by three different people, each of whom discovered the name from a different source. I cannot remember this person's name for more than 15 minutes, which is, I believe, a protective mechanism. God will pass judgement on him and he will be punished, I have **no doubt**. At the fund raiser I met one of  the officer's who investigated William's case. he had a chance to see William, all grown up and healthy. I told him, "you may not have been able to convict the man, but he knows you are on to him now. Thank you on behalf of William, and all the other animals you work so hard to protect." I believe that investigative animal protection officers are some of the unsung heroes of our time.

William's pictures, one with arrows still in his side, and one with him all grown up and healthy, hang at the humane society. Beneath the picture is a sign that says, "The difference between an indoor and an outdoor cat." This has impressed a number of people to keep their cats indoors only.

Please feel free to leave your mark in William's Guestbook. This guestbook is solely for people to leave messages in regards to this story. I would like for Pam and William to see what everyone has to say about their story. Also if you want to honor William with an award, I will put it directly on his page. This story is part of my website but I want it also to be like a sub-section.

I know this may seem strange but I felt that William and all those involved in his rescue and recovery certainly deserved my Gold Heart Award.

	This award goes out to Pam as a token of appreciation for taking William under her wing and for sharing his important story. Diabella
Dear William: This award is a tribute to your courage and determination. May the days ahead be filled with sunshine and catnip. Katzenberg, Red-Devil, Count Dracula and Witch-Hazel

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