I wasn’t going to get another cat, after losing my Pond. I decided all remaining cats were to be indoor only, to keep them safe from his fate, but no more new ones. It hurts too much to lose them.
My friend, who’s cat I recently helped save after a dog attack (he is doing well still) was going to the thrift store with me today. She kept showing me petfinder listings of cats, and I kept saying no. “I’m not getting another one. Besides, if I am supposed to have another one, one will find me. Maybe another bottle baby.”
I literally finished that sentence, then picked up my phone and opened my facebook app. This was the screen it opened to.
There is a local page that I follow that networks shelter pets that are in special need- they posted this picture. It kicked me in the gut. I knew he (most orange cats are boys) was a feline herpes cat.
I had one, my Muffin, whose feet are tattooed over my heart. I managed him for 10 years after the initial flare up on lysine, but he had to see a veterinary ophthalmologist when he was tiny. They saved his eyes, but they were scarred- he was blind for 6 weeks.
This little guy did not have that care. One eye is gone, the other so scarred that it may be blind as well. I looked at the location- it was on our route for the day. I looked at his…oops HER petfinder. They call her Lucy. I can’t explain to you how I felt, looking at that photo- I was crying, and I just, knew her.
She has a fantastic personality- very sweet and lovey, as all oranges seem to be, but also very playful. She can’t play with normal toys and bumped into some walls, but she will bat at fingers.
This is the ride home:
She is going to the vet on monday. She started on lysine tonight. She is very nearly completely blind. I think she may see shadows. The other socket seems empty, but I’m not sure. It is open and drains a lot. Very irritated.
I suspect she will do better if we close it up surgically. Does anyone have any experience?
She seems to possibly have an umbilical hernia right under her spay site, which still has sutures in it.
I had to sign a “we know this cat is sick and are not responsible waiver” to adopt her. A lot of people on the fb page were kind of appalled that they adopted her out in this shape, but I suspect the other option was to declare her un-adoptable and PTS. One of the workers really liked her.
I bought some toys that make noises, and right now she is curled up napping after playing for quite a bit.
She needs a new name. I am debating Amelia (Pond), because I do believe Pond may have helped set her in my path. Or perhaps she needs a name all her own.
I always liked this poem anyway:
Oh what unhappy twist of fate
Has brought you homeless to my gate,
The gate where once another stood
To beg for shelter warmth and food?
For from that day I ceased to be
The master of my destiny,
While she, with purr and velvet paw
Became within my house the law.
She scratched the furniture and shed
And claimed the middle of my bed,
She ruled in arrogance and pride
And broke my heart the day she died.
So if you really think, oh cat
I’d willingly relive all that,
Because you come forlorn and thin
Well don’t just stand there - come on in!
Author unknown
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