Sammy Byrne

Meet Sammy Byrne, a 4-year-old gray, longhaired, tailless cat who came to his family through Divine Intervention.

Owner Paul Byrne explains. “Shortly after listening to a sermon on apathy, I found him helplessly lying next to my parked car tire in the church parking lot. Someone had run over his tail.”

Wife Shelley laughs, “I have teased Father Pat at St. Thomas More that his choice of sermon that day cost us $210 in vet bills the first week. But the truth is that it also brought a furry little angel into our lives.”

Shelley thinks that Sammy was about 8-12 weeks old at the time. 

“His tail was badly broken,” she says, “And it had to be amputated after it became infected. We had planned on finding him a good home, but after six weeks of cage rest and applying Neosporin twice a day following his tail-ectomy, we got too attached to part with him.”

Thank goodness for little miracles! Apparently Sammy’s function in life is to be a kitty love machine. 

When the couple found a 4-day-old abandoned kitten whom they bottle fed, Sammy helped give her the special kind of attention only another cat can provide. 

Paul says, “Male cats don’t always feel comfortable around kittens. But, Sammy bonded with Smokey instantly. Though he is a male cat, he acts like a mother to her. They often play together, clean each other and sleep next to each other. In fact, they are typically found in the same room of the house throughout the day.”

“He greets every person who walks in our door like a long lost friend,” beams Shelley. “He has brought smiles to the faces of a special needs adult and a hyper 3-year-old child while being extremely gentle with both. He comforted me when my beloved Grandmother passed away, and he also comforted her cocker spaniel mix, Buddy, whom we adopted afterward. 

“Buddy was about 17 when he died in 2007. Sammy made his final moments easier, taking time to rub his face against Buddy’s and stay close by his side.” 

Shelley says, “He’s even converted some people who say they don’t like cats. One friend says it’s like he’s a dog in a cat suit the way he greets people at the door, comes when called and demands affection. No matter who you are, it’s hard not to smile when Sammy is showing you how much he loves you.”

Shelley and Paul will be welcoming baby Drew to the family in February. Another little sweetheart for Sammy to love!

Rock on, Sammy!

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