Every year, Robert R. Miller receives a year-end greeting from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation due to creating a scholarship in honor of his father, Leon.

In 2017, the greeting included a picture of a cat sitting on a porch with the words, “Home for the Holidays.”

Seeing the furry feline on the porch reminded Robert of his summer adventure, prompting a phone call to the Community Foundation to share the coincidence.

“In July, a cat showed up at my home in Ashville,” he said.

Robert Miller and Apple in July 2017.

The cat and Robert startled each other twice. Feeling sorry for scaring the cat, he offered his new friend some tuna fish, which won the cat’s affection.

Robert called the local Humane Society, which had no room for another cat. Leaving him to find this cat a home.

Several weeks later, Robert’s friend, Karen, who happens to also be a veterinarian, visited him and took the cat back to her clinic in Corinth, N.Y., to be checked up, and possibly placed into a forever home.

However, while the cat was in Karen’s office, it was discovered the cat was microchipped.

“The chip revealed the cat’s name was Apple,” Robert said. “And Apple’s home was in Mars, Pa., not far from Pittsburgh.”

It turns out, Apple’s owners spend their summers at Chautauqua Lake and were desperate to have their 7-year-old cat home again.

“Apple wandered off on June 24 and appeared at my home 1.6 miles away a week later,” he said.

Karen, Robert and Apple’s family arranged to pick up Apple in Western New York and were overjoyed with having their family whole once more and able to be home for the holidays, together.

For taking such good care of their cat, Apple’s family presented Robert with an apple pie.

Robert and Apple remain in touch, sending holiday cards back and forth and he looks forward to seeing Apple again this summer when their family returns to the lake.

Thinking of his father, Leon would not be surprised by the kindness shown from his son. As commonly happens between close family members, Leon’s principles rubbed off on Robert. Leon was a conservative man, who believed in giving a fair share for the dollar, not being wasteful and doing a little more in life than is expected of you.

Over the years, the Leon S. Miller Memorial Scholarship Fundhas granted 35 scholarships, totaling $35,036 to Ashville, NY residents, who graduated from Panama Central School.

Robert is doing his part to help his fellow man, and furry friends, honoring the memory of his father.

For 40 years, the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation has worked together with its inspiring donors, selfless volunteers and grateful community organizations to share their stories for enriching the quality of life for all who live here.

A gift to the Foundation adds another chapter in our community’s unending story.

Learn more about the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation at crcfonline.org.