Cherry's Purr-suit of Nursing

Cherry jumped. A small furry face looked questioningly into hers, tiny claws clung through her dress. ... "Meow," replied the cat ... --From Cherry Ames, Private Duty Nurse, p. 56

Cherry Ames owes her entire nursing career to a cat.

Yes, were it not for that great and noble feline Tookie Fortune, Cherry would never have embarked on her storied nursing career: countless patients would not have gotten soothing backrubs, and untold mysteries would have been left unsolved.

Like cats? Check out a quartet of refined and beautiful ladycats. Click here to read more!

Tookie has never received the proper recognition for her behind-the-scenes role, and the credit rightly due her has been mistakenly given instead to Dr. Joseph Fortune, who was struggling to develop a new and improved anaesthetic. He was getting nowhere, until Tookie courageously volunteered to allow the discouraged doctor to test the anaesthetic on her. It worked!

High school student Cherry, who was present on the glorious day, was greatly inspired by Tookie's selflessness and dedication, and decided to try to emulate her glowing example by learning to become a nurse: "And after the long golden Sunday when Dr. Joe performed the miracle of the drug on Tookie the cat, Cherry knew she, too, must play some role in the world of miracles and life" (Student Nurse, p. 10).

Helen Wells was a cat lover; two of her kitties were Gigi, a blue Persian, and Crissy, an orange Angora.

Shunning the limelight, Tookie graciously allowed Dr. Fortune to take credit both for inspiring Cherry's career choice and for saving lives with his new anaesthetic.

Fortunately showing no ill effects from her ordeal, the heroic Tookie later produced three kittens (Student Nurse), and then lived the rest of her life in peaceful seclusion at the Fortunes' little cottage in Hilton, Illinois.

Send email.