What began as a routine patrol for Officer Rugg quickly became a life-changing moment. Just three weeks ago, a crackle over the radio alerted him to a heart-wrenching scene—a tiny kitten had been tossed from a moving car. The urgency hit him like a punch. With sirens blazing and adrenaline high, he raced to the site, thoughts swirling about the kitten’s condition. He had no idea then that this call would lead him to a lifelong companion.
Arriving on the scene, Rugg scanned with urgency until his eyes locked onto a small bundle of fur hiding beneath a nearby couch. Shaking with fear and cold, the kitten glanced up with wide, terrified eyes. Later named Penny-Furthing, the little tabby was barely 12 weeks old and clearly traumatized from her ordeal.
As Rugg knelt to check on her, the kitten held her ground for just a moment—but then accepted his hand. He gently scooped her up, and to his surprise, she immediately climbed onto his shoulder, purring softly. “She was absolutely terrified,” Rugg told Good Morning America, “but as soon as I picked her up, she just climbed right up to my shoulder, started purring, and wouldn’t let go.”
In that tender moment, a bond was born.
Knowing she needed care, Rugg rushed her to the Rockingham Harrisonburg SPCA. The shelter, already near capacity, welcomed the kitten without hesitation. Medical evaluations revealed she had a mild case of conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, likely caused by stress and environmental exposure. The good news: with rest and medication, she had every chance of a full recovery.
Moved by her resilience and their instant connection, Rugg decided to foster Penny-Furthing during her recovery period. The decision came on a particularly memorable date—it happened to be his wife’s birthday. “That was definitely an interesting birthday gift,” he laughed. “But she fell in love with Penny just as quickly as I did.”
The family named her Penny-Furthing—an affectionate play on the classic penny-farthing bicycle and a nod to her soft, fluffy fur. From the beginning, she behaved like she belonged. She explored every nook and cranny of her new home and found comfort in one consistent place: Rugg’s shoulder. It became her favorite perch—a throne, really—symbolizing the trust and comfort she had found with him.
During her foster period, Penny-Furthing’s playful and loving nature emerged. From sprinting across the living room in joyful zoomies to gently splashing in her water bowl, she filled the home with life. It became clear very quickly: this was no temporary arrangement.
The family made it official—Penny-Furthing was adopted.
The story touched hearts far and wide, including those at the RHSPCA. Shelter executive director Huck Nawaz said, “It’s devastating to think of what Penny endured, but thanks to Officer Rugg, she found the loving home she deserved.”
Beyond the personal joy, Penny-Furthing’s rescue has had a broader impact—it has inspired others to foster and adopt as well. Officer Rugg now urges others to consider what a simple act of compassion can do. “The fostering process is simple, but the impact is life-changing. It’s about giving animals like Penny a second chance at love.”
What started as a tragic call turned into something profoundly beautiful. For Officer Rugg and Penny-Furthing, those few moments on the roadside led to a cherished life together—proof that sometimes, the most meaningful bonds form in the wake of compassion.
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