While walking through a quiet area near Salem, Oregon, Chuck Hawley noticed something strange on the ground.
As he got closer, his heart sank — a tiny kitten was stuck fast to the cold pavement. The helpless little one was trembling, unable to move.
Without hesitation, Hawley gently worked to free the kitten from the hardened surface. After checking the area for any sign of a mother cat or siblings, and finding none, he realized this small creature had no one
He carefully picked him up and carried him home, unaware that this single act of kindness would change his life forever.
A Rescue That Sparked a Lifelong Bond
Hawley named the kitten Sticky.
From the very beginning, there was an instant spark between them, something deeper than ordinary companionship. Although Hawley had shared his life with other animals before, Sticky seemed to understand him in ways no one else ever had.
They spent mornings driving together to a local coffee shop, enjoying the peaceful routine. Sticky couldn’t speak in words, but his eyes and quiet gestures spoke volumes.
Inspired by this extraordinary bond, Hawley began writing a children’s book about Sticky’s rescue, calling it A Sticky Situation.
The story touched the hearts of readers everywhere, leading to more books, including one about loss and healing titled We Don’t Say Goodbye.
Through each milestone, Sticky remained faithfully by his side, a constant source of love and comfort.
The Pain of Goodbye and a Gentle Reminder
By the end of 2024, Hawley began to notice changes in Sticky’s health. The playful energy that had once filled the house had started to fade, replaced by quiet moments of fatigue.
After consulting with his veterinarian, he was faced with the most painful choice any pet parent can make. On the day of the final appointment, Hawley walked into the room holding Sticky, his heart heavy with grief. That’s when his wife pointed toward a bookshelf.
Sitting right at the top of the pile was We Don’t Say Goodbye, the very book he had written about loss.
To Hawley, it felt like Sticky’s way of telling him their connection was far from over, even if they had to say goodbye for now.
With one hand wrapped around Sticky’s paw and the other holding the book, Hawley whispered his last words of love.
The goodbye was heartbreaking, yet that moment also carried an unshakable sense of peace.
A few days later, while driving through town, Hawley found himself passing the Oregon Humane Society.
He had no intention of adopting another animal so soon, but something inside urged him to stop. Inside, he learned that all the kittens in the main room had already been adopted that morning.
A staff member told him he could look at the older cats in the back if he wished. At first, Hawley decided against it, but just as he reached the front door, he turned around.
A New Friend Sent From Above
In the back area, metal cages lined the walls, many hidden behind blue tarps.
At the far end, a glass enclosure held a kitten that reminded Hawley a little of Sticky. He smiled, wished the young cat a happy life, and started toward the exit.
Then something unexpected happened — a paw reached out from beneath one of the tarp-covered cages and tapped his arm.
Hawley paused, surprised, and pulled out his phone to capture the moment. The paw didn’t move; it simply stayed there, as if waiting for him to understand.
Curious, Hawley lifted the tarp and found himself staring into the eyes of another cat.
His name was Allen, and while he had his own unique features, there was something about the way he looked from the side that stirred memories of Sticky.
In that instant, Hawley knew he couldn’t leave without him. Minutes later, Allen was curled in his arms, riding home to start a new chapter in both of their lives.
From the moment Allen stepped into the house, he behaved as though he had always lived there.
Strangely, he seemed to know all of Sticky’s favorite hiding spots and resting places — even the ones tucked away from plain sight.
Hawley couldn’t help but wonder if his old friend had somehow passed along the information. Allen didn’t erase the grief, but his playful presence began to soften it.
On the hardest days, when sorrow still lingered, Allen would quietly curl up next to him, offering silent companionship until the sadness faded.
Hawley is certain their meeting wasn’t an accident. He believes Sticky had a hand — or a paw — in bringing Allen into his life.
Though one chapter ended, another began, filled with new memories and the comforting feeling that the love he shared with Sticky still surrounds him.