Family of rescued cat makes big announcement

He was a bright spot in a tragic story of animal cruelty and now he’s part of a growing family.

Stewie the cat was rescued from the home of Robert Heckmann, 25, of Pueblo. Heckmann admitted to videotaping himself torturing and then killing Stewie’s brother, Loki. Stewie witnessed the whole thing.

Heckmann was sentenced Monday to two years and three months in jail.

The Smith family adopted Stewie in April.

“It was my idea,” said Sandi Smith. “I just thought it would be a great addition to our family. I thought it was a long shot. I didn’t think we had a chance.”

But out of all the applicants, the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region selected the Smiths.

“We were the lucky ones and now Stewie is a part of our family,” said Gavin Smith. “He loves every member of this family. It’s like he was meant to be ours.”

Now Stewie has parents, siblings and even another cat to play with.

“He is a very fun, rambunctious cat. He likes to play. He likes to run around a lot,” Sandi Smith said.

Soon after the Smiths adopted Stewie, they learned he wouldn’t be the newest member of the family for long.

“We found out about a week after we adopted Stewie that we were expecting another baby,” said Sandi Smith.

With KRDO NewsChannel 13’s cameras rolling the family opened an envelope, revealing the next member of the family will be a girl.

Nothing can replace the brother Stewie lost, but new life starts a new chapter for Stewie.

“Every day when I look at Stewie and I see the light in his eyes, I know that Loki lives on through him and that makes me happy,” said Sandi Smith.