By Jodie Gordon, Contributing writer

Maria Alvarez wasn't looking to add to the menagerie of pets at
her Metairie home, but when the need came to take care of a paralyzed
kitten she affectionately named Bubba Lu, it was a story she was
determined would have a happy ending.

In April of 2007, Bubba Lu
was one of several cats found in an eastern New Orleans FEMA trailer
park who were trapped to be neutered by a friend of Alvarez's. A
Lakeview couple, Marie and Eddie Hauff, who were living at the park
while displaced from their home, had concerns about the homeless cats.

The
Hauffs had agreed to look after the green-eyed Bubba Lu after he had
recovered from his surgery at Alvarez's home. He was 6 months old at
the time. But on the day that he was brought to the park to be
released, the Hauffs were away. When they returned, they went looking
for him but couldn't find him. And then he showed up."He comes dragging from behind another trailer," Alvarez recalled the Hauffs telling her, "dragging his hind legs.

"Bubba Lu's lower spine had been crushed, and Hauff took the cat to the vet right away.The
veterinarian who examined Bubba Lu assumed that he had been hit by a
car and because of his injuries, should be euthanized. But Alvarez
thought differently.

"I told them not to do that," Alvarez said.
Her thoughts immediately went to the Best Friends Animal Society, a
sanctuary in southern Utah which set up camp at Celebration Station in
Metairie following Hurricane Katrina and stayed until February 2006
taking in and adopting out rescued animals.

Alvarez contacted a
former volunteer for Best Friends, who is a current employee at the
sanctuary. But she couldn't help Alvarez because of lack of space."For
a year, I am begging and pleading with Best Friends to take him because
they are the only sanctuary in the nation that I know has the facility,
the staff and the volunteers to take care of special needs," Alvarez
said.

According to their Web site, Best Friends Animal Society is
home to about 2,000 dogs, cats and other animals who come from shelters
and rescue groups around the country for special care.The sanctuary also sees about 30,000 visitors each year.After
receiving specialized care, many of the animals at the sanctuary are
ready for adoption. Others who are older or sicker find a home at the
sanctuary for the rest of their lives.

Alvarez had kept a close
eye on the Best Friends Web site. Last May, she said she sent one final
email. If the sanctuary would not take Bubba Lu by the end of June, she
would have no other option than to have him euthanized. She said she
could no longer keep up with his day-to-day care, which included
bathing him often because he is incontinent.The sanctuary wrote back and said they would take Bubba if she could get him there.

Enter
Eileen Cackern, a supporting member of Best Friends who lives in
Mobile, Ala. She emailed Alvarez to see what she needed. And once Best
Friends accepted Bubba Lu, Alvarez said Cackern paid for the flight to
Utah.

At Best Friends, supporters of disabled animals are called "Guardian Angels.""She
(Cackern) has been to my house two or three times to meet Bubba Lu
while visiting with her father here in New Orleans," Alvarez said.

So
on July 8, Alvarez boarded a plane and headed to Utah to Best Friends.


Alvarez learned recently that Bubba Lu is going to be adopted by a vet
tech at Best Friends.

Until his adoption is complete and he is
ready to go to his new home, Bubba Lu will be a "lobby cat" where he
will greet visitors.

Alvarez returned home later that same evening after she dropped off Bubba Lu."It was a bittersweet goodbye," Alvarez said. "I didn't think the time would ever come."

DONALD STOUT / THE TIMES PICAYUNE A HOME AT LAST --
Maria Alvarez has dedicated years to rescuing animals such as Rosalee,
left, and Candy. [69589]

August 24, 2008