In 2018, while walking near Salem, Oregon, Chuck Hawley spotted something heartbreaking — a tiny kitten glued to the pavement, struggling to survive. After freeing the kitten and searching unsuccessfully for any family nearby, Hawley knew he couldn’t leave him behind. He took the little one home and named him Sticky.
The bond between Hawley and Sticky was immediate and extraordinary. Although Hawley had loved many pets before, something about Sticky was different. The pair did everything together, from morning drives to the local coffee shop to quiet conversations about life’s biggest questions.
“I really did get a lot of answers to some important life-type questions from that guy,” Hawley told The Dodo. “Sticky was pure magic.”
Sticky’s incredible journey even inspired Hawley to write a children’s book called “A Sticky Situation,” which led to a series, including a touching book about grief titled “We Don’t Say Goodbye.” Throughout it all, Sticky stayed by his side, a faithful companion through every chapter.
But in late 2024, Sticky’s health declined. Hawley was faced with the agonizing decision to let his best friend go. On the day of Sticky’s final appointment, Hawley noticed something that felt like a sign — “We Don’t Say Goodbye” was sitting atop the vet's bookshelf.
“It was like Sticky was telling me not to be afraid, and to remember everything we had shared,” Hawley said.
Holding Sticky’s paw in one hand and their book in the other, Hawley said goodbye, his heart shattered.
Still deep in grief days later, Hawley found himself pulling into the parking lot of the Oregon Humane Society. He wasn’t planning to adopt — just to visit the kittens and find a little comfort. But when he arrived, the staff told him all the kittens had been adopted earlier that morning. Hawley almost left — but something made him turn back.
In the back room, behind rows of cages covered with tarps, Hawley spotted a lone kitten resting in a glass enclosure. As he admired the kitten and wished him well, he turned to leave — and that’s when it happened.
“A paw tapped my arm,” Hawley said. “I pulled out my phone to snap a picture, and he just left his paw hanging there. Like he knew exactly what I needed.”
Lifting the tarp, Hawley found a cat named Allen, who, despite having his own unique look, bore a striking resemblance to Sticky — especially when he turned to the side. In that moment, Hawley knew he wasn’t leaving without him.
“I just knew he was meant to come home with me,” he said.
Allen didn’t just come home — he fit into Hawley’s life like he had always been there. He instinctively found all of Sticky’s favorite cozy spots, even the hidden ones. It felt to Hawley as if Sticky himself had whispered to Allen where to go.
Though Sticky can never be replaced, Allen’s quiet companionship has helped Hawley begin to heal.
“On the hard days, when the grief feels heavy, Allen just curls up next to me and waits for the sadness to pass,” Hawley said. “He’s been the best medicine I could have asked for.”
There’s no doubt in Hawley’s mind: Sticky is still looking out for him, sending messages from beyond — and sending Allen to help him find hope again.
“I don't know where I’d be right now if Sticky hadn’t sent Allen to find me,” Hawley said.
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To support pets like Allen, you can donate to the Oregon Humane Society here.
To explore Hawley and Sticky’s beautiful children’s book series, click here. 🐾
