Albuquerque native Carol Driggs won a nationwide competition held by Petco Love for pet owners to share how their animals changed their lives.
“When I was writing my little blurb, I thought I was just submitting it put entry, like maybe he means newsletter or website or something like that,” Driggs told KOB. “I had no idea this was in existence, so nice surprise.”
The story of how Driggs came to find her cat, Treetop, was selected for the grand prize of $100,000 to be donated to Animal Humane, the shelter where she adopted Treetop. The story began when her husband of 54 years died and she went to Animal Humane to find a companion.
“I said I think I should adopt a cat,” Driggs told KOB.
Upon her visit to Animal Humane, she was drawn to Treetop.
“When I looked at Treetop, and she looked back at me and I knew this was the one, and she is the one,” Driggs said.
Animal Humane is, of course, thrilled with the donation.
“It’s just, it’s just surreal,” Abby Norris, a donor engagement manager at Animal Humane New Mexico, told KOB. “It’s a surreal feeling.”
Driggs will receive $1,000 for a Petco Love shopping spree, and a pair of shoes from Bobs Footwear, who partnered with Petco Love for this contest, per KOB.
“That’s the power of pets and like the human and animal bond is just something that’s so special,” Driggs said.
