An Army soldier saved a cute tabby kitten and wouldn’t leave her behind. It happened in 2008 when Christine Weber Bouldin saw Felix, a kitten with special needs who needed help. She was at Bagram Airfield for her last deployment after eight years in the US Army.
Christine has always loved animals. She once even snuck some hermit crabs in her pocket to keep her company. When she heard about a cat and her kitten being mistreated on the base, she made it her mission to find them right away.
What she found was a tiny kitten with ears that seemed too big for her body. The kitten couldn’t walk straight and kept flopping from side to side.
“I had never seen a cat like that,” Christine told People Pets. “I felt really sorry for her. She couldn’t stand up and would fall over.”
The little kitten, named Felix, had a condition called Cerebellar Hypoplasia (CH), which affects her ability to control her movements. She wobbles when she walks but is otherwise as healthy as any other cat.
At first, the kitten was scared of Christine and would hiss when she came near. But as the mother cat began to trust Christine, by rubbing against her leg, little Felix started to feel more comfortable.
Christine took care of them every day, bringing food and water a few times a day. The kitten, who was very jumpy at first, eventually let Christine hold her while she ate, so she wouldn’t fall over.
The little family started doing well, but Christine worried about getting both cats home safely. Then, one month, the mother cat, named Sandy, suddenly disappeared, leaving Felix behind. “After her mom left, I was afraid someone might catch Felix or hurt her.”
Since pets weren’t allowed, Christine and a friend made a makeshift home with sandbags for the kitten. But little Felix was quite clever. “Even though she couldn’t walk, she managed to climb up the sandbag wall and fall out on the other side.”
Later, a friend built a small house for Felix, where Christine visited twice a day to take care of her furry friend. She brought cat treats and toys sent by her family from North Carolina. Every day, spending time with Felix became the best part of Christine’s day.
They became very close, and Felix would give Christine big hugs every time she visited. “She was so sweet, and I could tell she appreciated me taking care of her when her mom left,” Christine said. “She still makes me cry sometimes because she looks at me like I’m her mom.”
After being turned down by the canine unit to take Felix home to the States, Christine felt really hopeless. She didn’t know how to bring Felix back with her.
Then, one day, things started looking up. While Christine was at the vet getting Felix some shots, the vet introduced her to an animal rescuer in Kabul who could help. Feeling hopeful again, Christine got in touch with Pam Constable, who agreed to look after Felix in Kabul and eventually take her back to the US.
Christine paid a driver $300 to pick Felix up at the back gate of the base and take her to Constable’s pet shelter in Kabul. The trip was risky because of dangers like bombs, and Christine was really worried about Felix. She wasn’t sure if she’d ever see her again, or if she’d even be allowed to bring her home. Christine cried a lot.
Christine went back home in February 2009. She had to wait until spring for Constable to return to Virginia, and it cost her almost $2,000 to fly Felix home. Christine didn’t care about the cost; she just wanted Felix with her.
She had to drive five hours from North Carolina to get her cat. Felix was a bit shy at first, but she warmed up to Christine quickly.
Constable knew she would miss Felix, but she was happy that Felix made it back to the person who saved her.
It was a long journey, but Felix finally made it home safely! Now, she has a furry best friend to cuddle with every day. Christine calls them “two peas in a pod.”
Even though Felix wobbles a bit, she can still pounce, play, and jump like any other cat. She can even use the litterbox without any problems.
“She found ways to do what she needed to do. It’s very inspiring to see an animal like that fight to live because so many people underestimate them,” Pam told People Pets.
Christine says she can always rely on her little Felix to make her feel better, just like she did during her deployment. They can always count on each other, and they’ll never be apart.
“When she greets me, her little tail vibrates because she’s so excited,” Christine said. “(Felix is) like an angel sent to me from God.”
