MY HUSBAND AND HIS MOM GOT RID OF MY CAT WHILE I WAS AWAY — BUT THEY NEVER EXPECTED MY NEIGHBOR TO HELP ME GET REVENGE.

Benji, my rescued kitten, was my comfort after losing my father. My husband and mother-in-law (MIL) never understood, calling my bond with him “weird.” While I was away, they took Benji. Returning to a silent house, I confronted them. My MIL smirked, saying she “freed” me from my “pathetic” obsession, urging me to focus on “real family.” My husband shrugged, dismissing my pain.

My neighbor Lisa showed me photos of my MIL and husband taking Benji in a carrier. She’d followed them to a neighborhood two towns over, near a shelter. Furious but hopeful, I called every local shelter. At Maple Grove Animal Center, I found Benji, safe but scared. With proof of ownership, I brought him home.

I left my husband, taking my belongings and Benji. Now, in our pet-friendly apartment, we’re healing. Love, even for a pet, deserves respect. Stand up for what matters to you.