This week, our pick for a Sunday Critter is Toto the Tornado Kitten. We usually reserve this spot for a dog but love to include a great cat when we meet one. Toto says he loves dogs but thinks that cats don't get the credit they deserve.
Look at that face. Who could resist this little charmer?
But, there is more to Toto than charm. This is one strong and amazing cat. As a tiny six-ounce kitten, Toto had a great adventure when a tornado hit central Massachusetts last year. After the storm, a clean-up worker found him in a tree and brought him to the Brimfield fire station where EMT Jonathan Hall cared for Toto until he was able to turn him over to experts from the Animal Rescue League of Boston.
ARLBoston nursed him until he was ready for his perfect, forever home back with Jonathan Hall. Jonathan not only adopted Toto, but also helped him write a book about the great adventure. And, to really put a smile on this tail-twitching story, that book is raising much needed funds for ARLBoston. As of this report, they've sent more than $20,000 to Toto's favorite cause.
We follow @ARLBostonRescue on Twitter and are aware of some of the wonderful work they do on-the-road taking care of all kinds of critters every day. You can hear more about what they did for the animal victims of that June 1, 2011 tornado in this Greater Boston appearance with Jonathan & Toto.
Natually, we hope you'll buy a copy of the book. You can do that right here. You can also make a donation in Toto's name directly to the ARLBoston.
Of course, as every author knows, there is much to do after your book is published. Toto and his special assistants make personal appearances and maintain a website. His facebook page is full of requests from places like libraries that would love to have this special cat and his book for story hour.
ARLBoston is both proud & grateful
"We are proud of the work that the men and women on our team do everyday," said Jennifer Wooliscroft, Director of Communications, "and to have a special book like this makes our continued effort to helping animals even better."
Jonathan says he is grateful for the team helping out his community and looks forward to giving something back. "Without the help from the great people at the ARL, Toto's story wouldn't be possible," he notes.
Related Post: In our own neighborhood, we watched ARLBoston's professional and caring staff at a 9-alarm fire in a pet friendly building. They were amazing and won our hearts and support. We wrote about it here.
In place of an ad in this space today, we hope you'll buy or donate a copy of the book and/or make your own contribution to ARLBoston so they'll be funded when someone else needs help.
You can buy or donate a book right here. Or, Donate directly to the ARLBoston.
Details:
Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography & Art: Courtesy of Toto the Tornado Kitten, Jonathan Hall, and the very talented illustrator Carol Ruzicka.
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on our book wish list. That afternoon, we received an email from the authors Karen Page & Andrew Dornenburg saying they would love to send us a review copy. 
, will make a Seriously Good Gift for a food-loving friend who loves to travel for food or find great food when they travel.