Since today is national “Kiss a Ginger” day, I want to share the story of my most favorite ginger girl of all time. Annie Lou’s story is one of courage, perseverance, and incredible resilience! She came into my rescue at just 3 weeks old, in October of 2021. Both of her eyes were so badly infected that they had already ruptured beyond saving. She was tiny, very sick, and literally hanging by a thread. Thankfully, the woman who found her rushed Annie to an emergency vet and they were able to stabilize her until I could go get her. Once in my care, she quickly began to eat, gain weight, and thrive. Her eye removal surgery was scheduled for January. Unfortunately, the pain became too much for her and we were forced to move it up a few weeks. In mid December, Annie had both eyes removed. Like before, she bounced back quickly and felt better than she had in her whole 2 months of life. She was even set to be adopted that following month by a dear friend. Sadly, in January of 2022, Annie began having unusually high fevers. Test after test revealed no answers. She had also become less active and her appetite seemed to diminish. After multiple vet visits and a second or third set of lab work, it was clear to her Dr. that she had FIP, Feline Infections Peritonitis. This is the only cat disease that has no vaccine, no test, and no approved treatment in the United States. I had never considered treating a kitten with FIP before Annie. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize there actually was treatment and that it worked. It would be very expensive and the journey would ultimately be 168 days. However, after all I had been through with Annie up to this point, I was NOT giving up on her. I was directed to a page that assists with finding an advocate in my area and was quickly educated on how the treatment works, how it’s administered and how much it would cost. I never batted at eye at any of it. That next day, Annie’s meds came and we immediately began the 84 day treatment. Within 2 days, her fever was gone, she was much more active and her appetite returned with a vengeance!! It was truly like watching a miracle take place. Day after day, she gained weight, became so playful and never had another fever. 84 days later, he labs were perfect and she moved into the observation phase. On July 26, 2022, 168 days after her first dose of FIP meds, our girl was deemed CURED. She shocked us all with her will to live. Since Annie’s diagnosis and treatment, our rescue has gone on to save, or assist with 15 other kittens, 8 of those being our own Mighty Miracles babies. Our representative refers other families in our area to me now to share meds with their kitty’s until their order can be delivered. Because of Annie, many lives have been, and will continue to be saved from this horrid disease. Since Annie had been in my care for nearly a year, her adopter and I decided it was in her best interest to stay with me. Due to her blindness, she already knew every inch of my home and we agreed it wouldn’t be fair to have her start the learning process all over in a new home. In August of that year, I officially made Annie Lou mine. The company we use is called Mutian. I can honestly say that I am now part of an amazing family of true animal lovers that only want to save as many lives as possible. The treatment works. No doubt about it. I can’t wait for the day that it gets approved in the US so that more cats like Annie have a fighting chance!