Unbreakable Bond: How Two Rescue Cats Found Friendship and Healing

Upon arriving at Best Friends, Rowena and Binx were carrying a heavy load of troubles. Yet, finding a new home steered them towards a journey of recovery and friendship.

Best friend. Close buddy. BFF. No matter the name, we all want a best friend to rely on during hard times. And that’s just what Rowena and Binx, two cats, became for each other.

Taking different journeys

Binx and Rowena, two cats with their own problems, were taken in by Best Friends from a shelter in Houston.

Rowena, who is missing one eye and has a skin issue that makes her scratch all the time, didn’t mind her eye but really struggled with her skin. Binx, a black cat who looks like a panther and had his claws removed, had trouble using his litter box. In a shelter that was too full, cats with health or behavior problems like theirs were in danger.

However, Best Friends wants every shelter to be a safe place for animals by 2025.

They help pets leave the shelter and find a happy home by working with other shelters and groups. Even though both Binx and Rowena had tough times, they were still very loving.

They loved getting pets, from scratches under the chin to rubs on the belly.

The team at Best Friends did everything they could to help these cats feel better.

They sent Binx to a foster home to try different litters and get used to using a box again.

For Rowena, the vet team tried many treatments to soothe her skin, and she also stayed in a foster home where she could relax and heal.

The beginning of a wonderful bond

At the same time, a woman named Stephanie was looking to adopt a cat.

She learned about Binx and Rowena’s tough experiences and was moved by their strength.

After discussing how to manage the cats’ needs with the Best Friends team, Stephanie decided to adopt both cats, hoping they would get along. (And they did!)

Right from the start, Rowena and Binx were thick as thieves in their new home.

Binx settled in and never missed the litter box again. But Rowena faced more challenges.

Despite many specialist visits, Rowena’s skin issues and scratching got worse, causing her skin to bleed and lose her whiskers.

Stephanie, determined to find a solution, tried everything from steroids to special diets.

After a particularly worrying night, Stephanie rushed Rowena to the emergency clinic, fearing the worst with every setback.

Rowena wasn’t alone in her struggles; Binx was always there for her.

Whether coming back from vet visits or just hanging out at home, Binx was her constant companion, ready to play or just cuddle.

He was supportive in every way, even when Rowena had to wear a cone. (Now that’s real friendship.)

Here’s to the fun times ahead

Then, suddenly, everything turned around for Rowena.

Her treatments started to work. Her whiskers began to regrow, and day by day, she felt better.

That sparkle returned to her bright green eye.

Free from pain and full of energy, Rowena was playful again, jumping into boxes with Binx, hiding under blankets, and cuddling up to Stephanie.

Stephanie noticed another unique thing about Rowena and Binx: they enjoyed traveling.

They were curious and behaved well on their first airplane ride.

They’ve even traveled across the country in an RV, embracing the ultimate buddy road trip.

Whether it’s chilling at home or exploring new places, these two cats relish their adventures together.

Photos courtesy of Stephanie Jauch