Meet Mister Bruce Willis, the saddest stray cat who, after being adopted, has fully changed into a joyful cat. The orange tabby cat had to spend six years on the streets, abandoned and alone, before he could find his forever home.
When he was 6 years old, he was rescued by Animal Humane Society in Minnesota, US. The animal shelter cared for him and helped him find a good owner. They shared Bruce’s story on social media with the hopes that someone would give him a forever home.
Thankfully, after a month, Sandra, a cat lover, acquired Bruce after falling in love with him after reading his heartfelt essay. She realized then that she couldn’t help but be drawn to the sad cat.
“I first came across Mr. Willis in an article that the Minnesota-based Animal Humane Society published in August of last year. His eyes had a certain quality that just called to me. He had such a dejected appearance.
My lease forbade pets, and I had no intention of obtaining a cat, so I knew there was nothing I could do about it. I still had to go see him, though. In person, he appeared much more dejected, and I had to leave after only a few minutes because it was so upsetting. I kept going back to see him for some reason.
He is FIV positive, which isn’t a big deal, but since he was at an animal shelter with lots of other pets, he got an upper respiratory infection. He was really sick for a while. I hoped that someone would adopt him, but he was still there, week after week,” Sandra told.
She persuaded her landlord to waive the no-pet rule for the flat. Sandra was finally able to take the cat home after the landlord gave her the go-ahead. Bruce arrived at Sandra’s house and began a new existence as a devoted pet.
“Eventually, I decided to ask my landlord for permission to get him, and I was really surprised when I was granted an exception. I brought him home the following day. He went from being the saddest cat to the happiest cat I’ve seen in only a couple of hours. He purred all night long and wouldn’t leave my side.”
Bruce had serious health problems as a result of spending years living on the streets, including feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) positivity, immune system disorders, scars from fights with other cats, a healed eye injury, broken teeth, and scars from battles with other cats.
“Mister Willis is FIV positive. It stands for feline immunodeficiency virus and it’s not as scary as it sounds. It basically means that he has a weaker immune system than ‘normal’ cats. When I first got him, he had a cold, ear infection, and eye infection that he got at the shelter. It was a little harder for him to fight it off because he’s FIV+ but he eventually did, and right now, I can’t notice his disease at all. I’m just making sure I’m doing what I can to keep him happy and healthy.”
He was “the loveliest and most lovable youngster,” despite his depressing appearance and horrible circumstances. Bruce gradually gets more active as he adjusts to the new place.
It’s been a year since Mister Willis found love from his new owner, and he’s transformed unrecognizably.
Sandra shared Bruce’s photos on social media, where they have touched millions of hearts. And of course, everyone is glad to see his transformation.
She stated in the article that he has been her cat for a year and is currently the happiest cat she is aware of.
“I’ve had him for a year now and we’ve had our ups and downs. He was very sick for a while and we had to go to the vet all the time. Luckily, he was able to fight off all the infections and today, he’s a happy and healthy cat.”
