If a cat qualified for our Random Acts of Trophy-ness award, a tabby named Tripod would win one large enough to be used as a ceiling-high scratching post but so grand she – probably – wouldn’t take a single claw to it.

In true #ShowUsYourSue fashion, Tripod held out for six years to claim the home SHE wanted. Just like Sue Heck, fictional TV character for whom Trophy Central’s award campaign is named, Tripod didn’t let any obstacle get in the way of pursuing her dream.

A City of Human Angels

And she inspired a community of Los Angeles area residents — and a network that reached to Australia – to become kinder, better people who epitomize the spirit of goodness that we at Trophy Central commemorate each month.

We are pleased to acknowledge those who helped Tripod stay safe and loved during her fiercely independent journey to a “forever home.” And to honor one woman in particular, Jess Soares, who followed her heart to selflessly take Tripod in – and give her away.

A Neighborhood of Hope

Tripod, like the Sue Heck character on ABC’s The Middle, was born into a life more easily defined by obstacles than open doors. Tripod lost most of a rear back leg in an accident at birth. She was nursed to health by the first of many kind humans she encountered over the years and spent her first couple of years living in a garage and yard outside a Burbank, CA home.

Outside, she had the company of her mother and sister cats – all of whom became pregnant shortly before the humans who cared for Tripod decided to move – without Tripod or her kittens.

That’s when Jess stepped in. She scooped up cats and kittens, paid for medical treatment – including spaying – and helped the would-be strays find families. She brought Tripod and two of her kittens into her home, where she thought all would adapt to an indoor life.

Tripod had other ideas. She INSISTED on living outdoors, which she did for the next four years. Jess provided food, a heated outdoor bed and collars that Tripod refused to wear.

A Community of Kindness

And that’s how Tripod created a community of kindness in her neighborhood. Passersby saw the three-legged, seemingly homeless cat and stopped to pet her. Patrons of a local bar and grill would call to her, some ALMOST missing happy hour to say hello. A few scooped her up and took her home, believing they were rescuing a stray.

But, within a day or two, Tripod would find her way back to her neighborhood. Jess would buy her a new collar and try to keep her inside. Tripod refused. Sometimes, during a storm, she took refuge with someone who kept a bed and food inside a hole in his house’s exterior. Sometimes, she paid a middle-of-the-night visit to another home, climbing through an often-open back door and helping herself to some Fancy Feast while the humans, cats and dogs slept.

Tripod Goes MISSING!

Tripod’s independent lifestyle suited her – and charmed hundreds of children and adults over the half dozen years. Until last December, when her usual disappearance of one or two days stretched to more than a week. And Jess was in Australia for the holidays, feeling helpless to do much more than check her surveillance cameras and pray for a Tripod sighting.

This is where Tripod’s community stepped up and how Tripod came to realize her dream.

Lila Hoeschler, a girl who counted on visiting Tripod daily, beseeched her mom to find her missing pal. To ease her daughter’s anguish, Suzy Hoeschler launched the rescue effort, putting up flyers, posting ads on Craigslist and notifying neighbors.

The neighbors included freelance writer Brijana Prooker, who remembered how Cindi Leive, Glamour’s former editor-in-chief, had found her lost cat through a vast social media network. She combed Cindi’s feed for rescue organizations. Her sister, Kelsey, a graphic artist, created compelling images of Tripod and the pair spent several days and sleepless nights posting Tripod’s profile online.

Tripod is Found!

The neighbor’s efforts – and Tripod’s friendliness – paid off. People from miles away wrote to say they knew her and pledged to look for her. Eventually, word reached a man who had scooped up Tripod before Christmas. After spending more than a week with Tripod, he thought he’d given Tripod a home. He agreed to return her but didn’t want to leave her on the street.

Jess was still in Australia. She asked Kelsey if she could keep Tripod indoors for a few days and pledged to all of Tripod’s rescuers that she would buy Tripod a new collar and tracking device so that Tripod would never get lost again.

The man, with a sad face and arms laden with food, new toys and an unused scratching post, brought Tripod home the next day. The task of keeping Tripod indoors seemed insurmountable given the cat’s history – and given that she’d be sharing space with three dogs, one cat and three humans.

Tripod made no attempt to leave the house before Jess returned home four days later. Or for the next week. Or the week after that. Jess started bringing over supplies – two collars, the tracking device, a month’s supply of food, a toy. When she learned that Tripod, the fiercely independent outdoor cat, had become an indoor lap cat, she declared what Tripod already knew: She had found the home she had wanted for six years.

And the Random Acts of Trophy-ness Award Goes to…

It takes a special kind of caring to rescue stray animals. And a rare spirit of generosity to put the happiness of an animal above your own.

A lot of people made it possible for Tripod to find her forever – indoor – home. And Trophy Central thanks all of them, most of whose names we don’t know and never will. But it was Jess who rescued Tripod four years ago and Jess who beamed with happiness when she knew that Tripod had adopted the family she wanted.

So we are pleased to award Jess our latest trophy: The Magnanimous Spirit Award: Building a Community, One Heart, One Three-Legged Cat at a Time.

Show Us Your Sue

The success of Trophy Central’s Random Acts of Trophy-ness campaign depends on you. Tell us about the people who inspire you, who make your world a better place, who make you a better person.

We want to keep sending trophies. So please keep sending your nominations. Use the comments section below or reach out to us on Twitter or Facebook. Don’t forget to use the hashtag, #ShowUsYourSue!