Shaggy, a Faithful Guardian

On March 19, Golden Year 5 (2008), fellow initiates from the Illinois Center met with Terry Rucks in Oshkosh, Wisconsin to present Master's Shining World Hero Award to his amazing cat, Shaggy, for saving Mr. Rucks' life.

On a Friday morning last year, Terry woke up at about 1:00 in the morning and went to the bathroom. When he got there, he began to sweat profusely and tremble. He was about to have a diabetic occurrence, which could have resulted in a coma. He tried to call his wife, but he was too weak to speak. At that moment, Shaggy walked into the bathroom, apparently sensing something was wrong. He started bumping his head on Terry's knees, jumped up onto the vanity, pawing at Terry's shoulder and crying loudly in his ear. He kept this up and prevented his friend from slipping into unconsciousness.

Eventually, Terry gathered enough strength to get up, go into the kitchen, and eat something sweet. This raised his blood sugar level and brought him out of his dizziness. Terry said, "I don't know what would have happened if I had given in. But thanks to this wonderful 15-pound guardian angel, with gold fur ... He saved my life." Since that incident, Shaggy still sits around the vanity whenever Terry goes into the bathroom, faithfully guarding his human companion.

Upon receiving the Shining World Hero Award for Shaggy, Mr. Rucks said, "I have a Higher Power watching over me and he came in the form of a cat. My guardian angel is a cat." He was very touched and appreciative to receive this Award on behalf of Shaggy from Master. May all animals and their human companions share the same divine love and bond like Mr. Rucks and Shaggy.