I've been following this thread for a while and it makes me so happy to hear the joy people find in their lives. I have my own little Cat-a-pult story only it involves a dog.
This past winter, I had been stuck in the house for several days with a dark cloud I couldn't shake. I was worried that a more severe depression was setting in since I was out for a walk with my dog it was the third day in a row I had gone walking and not felt any better. Just as we were turning the corner to head home, this beautiful, smiley puppy came bounding out from behind a bush to play with my dog. Even though he had a thick coat - his ribs were poking through so we brought him home and fed him and watered him. He laid in the sun for hours chewing on a bone that had long been forgotten by my dog. I was miraculously saved from my dark day and was grateful for every bit that I could do for him since he had been my great escape on a very grey weekend when I didn't know what else to do to feel better. He lived with us for almost three months and I'm still trying to clean out my car from all the fluff he left behind. I have a little laugh everytime I come across a little scrap of paper that he would take such joy in devouring.
He eventually went to the professionals to help him find a home and I'm still waiting to hear where he ended up. I think about him most days and am so thankful to have met him.