The veterinarians, nurses, and volunteers who dedicate their time to nursing sick or injured animals back to health are absolute heroes.
I have nothing but admiration for those help animals, like the woman who saved a homeless poodle. But when I saw who was helping care for the animals at the Animal Emergency Hospital And Urgent Care in North Carolina? I was absolutely floored.
The workers at the Raleigh vet clinic have been caring for Russell the cat for over a year, after he was severely injured in a tragic fire that took his family's home. But Russell doesn't seem to know he's a cat, much like the monkey who tried to shower like a human. I couldn't believe these photos of what Russell was doing for the other sick and injured animals coming into the clinic. They completely melted my heart.
This is one of the most adorable and heartwarming things I've ever seen!
Please SHARE if you think Russell helping the other animals is as adorable and inspiring as I do.
h/t Huffington Post / The Dodo
After a house fire destroyed his family's home, Russell the cat was severely burned on his face and body and lost the tips of his ears. The photo is pretty graphic, but if you would like to see just how far he has come, you can click the photo below.
One clinic worker told The Dodo, "He has taken a long time, but he has made a miraculous recovery." Russell has been at the clinic for more than a year and a half and is not yet well enough to leave.
But Russell is making the most of his time in recovery. He has begun comforting and offering support to other animals that come into the clinic!
When a confused baby deer named Darla came in after losing its mother, Russell took it upon himself to lend her his comfort and support.
Russell even surprisingly took a liking to dogs, like this stray Chihuahua named Roscoe, providing friendship to the injured canine as well! Another staff member told Huffington Post, "He wants to be friends with every animal."
"He's a very inquisitive cat. A very loving little cat." While several of his friends have been discharged, Russell wanders from room to room at the clinic to visit the other sick and injured animals.
A clinic staff member told The Dodo, "He wants to meet all our patients. He just wants to be with them."
"I don't know if he can sense that other animals are in pain, but he does seem to have some weird knack for connecting with patients."
With all of these friends coming and going, when does Russell get to go home? Russell hasn't fully recovered, even though he has undergone more than two dozen treatments and surgeries. But Russell doesn't seem to mind!
Because of social media, Russell has become a bit of an internet sensation. The Animal Emergency Hospital and Urgent Care has made a celebrity out of Russell by sharing his pictures and story on Facebook and Twitter.
And luckily for Russell, his medical bills are all taken care of, due to generous donations. And he's received plenty of gifts from fans around the world, including toys and treats!
How Russell became such an empathetic companion is unclear, but as one worker told Huffington Post, "It is utterly clear that he does something very special for everyone who gets to know him."
Please SHARE if you think Russell helping this other animals is as adorable and inspiring as I do.
