Malcolm's Story
I have always loved animals. Growing up, my family always had cats, and even an occasional dog. In addition, I had a variety of furry animals as well as reptiles and fish. When I was a senior in college a friend bought me a cat because she knew how much I loved them and missed my family cat. Malcolm was a 10 week old male with very unique black and white markings. 
I only had Malcolm a few months when the apartment complex informed me pets were not allowed. Management said I had to either get rid of the cat or I would be evicted, so I did the only thing I could do….I moved out. Although all cats are unique and special in their own way, it was clear from the beginning that there was something truly special about this cat. Everyone that met him loved him. His personality was more like a dog than a cat. He would fetch, was always by my side, and was very people oriented. He was laid back and not bothered by noise or commotion.
Malcolm was all boy and forever getting into trouble, from busting through window screens, to getting stuck in trees, and even disappearing once on Halloween. As a young adult he was playing in the kitchen and got his head lodged in the small opening under the cabinet. The cabinets needed to be carefully disassembled so he wouldn’t be suffocated or break his neck. Although apartment maintenance staff was not pleased I insisted they work meticulously. Afterwards, he seemed un-phased despite having to have 5 stitches in his neck.
Although he was curious and could be mischievous, he definitely had a soft side as well. He slept where I did and didn’t mind being picked up and held. In fact he loved to be propped over my shoulder as I did things around my apartment. At the time I worked in a group home where 5 adult women with developmental disabilities lived. Occasionally, I would bring Malcolm to work with me and the ladies loved him! When one of the ladies got pneumonia and had to stay in bed for 2 weeks she requested I bring Malcolm over to stay with her during the day. I feared he wouldn’t stay in her room for very long but to my amazement he stayed by her side the entire time.
When Malcolm was 5 years old he was laying in the driveway directly behind my roommate’s car. She didn’t realize he was there, backed up the car and rolled completely over his midsection. Remarkably he was alert and there appeared to be no obvious wounds; however, x-rays revealed he had suffered life threatening internal injuries. He had to have several surgeries to repair his diaphragm which had ruptured and the recovery was long and hard. He had to be in a confined area and was not allowed to do any jumping. I moved all the furniture out of my bedroom except for the mattress on the floor. Malcolm was not happy about his confinement, which lasted 3 months, but he recovered and never had any further complications from his injuries.
At 
age 11 during a routine exam the vet discovered he had a heart murmur. After further testing it was discovered he had an enlarged heart. He was happy and acted healthy despite having to take multiple medications. Unfortunately 2 years later the decline was rapid. In a 2 week period he had lost significant weight and had really slowed down. When returning home one afternoon he was barely responsive. I rushed him to the vet and was told he would probably not make it through the night. Since there was nothing we could do to improve his situation I made the decision to put him to sleep to end his suffering.
Malcolm died in 2001. During the 13 years of his life he was my only pet. He taught me a lot about myself and I gained even more compassion for animals….how they should be treated and what they bring to your life. Since then I have adopted many other wonderful cats and love them all dearly. Despite this, I still think of Malcolm a lot and wish that he was still with me. Animals have always been my true passion and opening a sanctuary would come to no surprise to anyone who knows me. Although I am a business owner and love what I do, I know now, that caring for animals on a larger scale is what I’m meant to do. In dedication to my first beloved cat, and so that he will never be forgotten, the sanctuary is named in his honor….Malcolm’s Manor.
~ Marianne Rizzolo