💛 About They Saved Me First
This special series from the Golden Whiskers Podcast shares true stories of the animals who showed up first — when we were struggling, grieving, or just quietly falling apart. These aren’t training success stories or cute pet tricks… they’re about healing, hope, and the quiet power of companionship. Sometimes, our pets save us before we even know we need saving.
✨ Episode Snapshot:
Michelle Ule thought her gray cat Tasha was just doing cat things — slipping outside every morning and jumping the backyard fence. She figured Tasha had found a second family, but never imagined what she’d uncover.
Turns out, she had.
Tasha was spending her days comforting a neighbor in a wheelchair. She sat by his side, curled up in his lap, and — in one extraordinary moment — even helped alert his wife that he was having a stroke.
Michelle didn’t find out until after the neighbor passed away.
This is a powerful story about feline intuition, quiet service, and the surprising ways our animals show up for others — even strangers.
✨ In This Episode:
🐱 Tasha’s mysterious daily disappearances
🏡 The truth about the neighbor behind the fence
💔 How a cat offered comfort in the final months of someone’s life
🐾 The moment Tasha helped detect a stroke
💡 What Michelle learned about empathy, grief, and being present
💬 How this changed her view of Tasha — and of being a neighbor
📚 Plus: The surprising backstory of Tasha’s fire-evacuation kittenhood!
📍 Where to Find Michelle:
✍️ Substack: The Eclectic Researcher — michelleule.substack.com
📚 Historical author and biographer of Biddy Chambers and Lettie Cowman
📝 Blog post about Tasha: Read it here
🦴 One More Walk: A Reflection from Michelle
“I didn’t realize my cat had such a soft heart.
She didn’t need to be asked. She just showed up — every day — and gave someone a little more comfort and connection than they would’ve had otherwise. I’m grateful we got to care for a cat who made that kind of impact.”
🧡 Final Thought
“I'm just gratified to think that Tasha shared herself with a man in need. That's a wonderful gift.”
— Michelle Ule
🎧 Listen + Share
If this story moved you like it did me, I’d love for you to hit follow or subscribe — and stick with us for more of these powerful stories between people and the pets who show up in the most unexpected ways.
👉 Subscribe to the Golden Whiskers Podcast wherever you listen.
🟠 Or listen right here on Substack.
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