INSTALLMENT 1

CHEESE, aka Cheez Whiz, Cheesy Wheezy, Chuck E. Cheese

To my Cheese’s previous owner: did you know that the cat you left in the shelter’s night drop cages was so terrified when he was found by shelter staff the next morning that he wouldn’t allow them to touch him or examine him for days? You didn’t bother to leave any identifying information, such as his name, age, or medical history. You left it for shelter staff to determine why he was abandoned in the middle of a dark night in late April. It soon became apparent why he was abandoned though. He had large, painful sores on all 4 of his paws. Blood work was taken. An initial diagnosis of “pillow foot” was reached. Medication was administered. And 3 of the 4 paws healed. But that 4th paw, on his right rear leg, well it just wasn’t healing. And that’s where I come into his story. 

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As a shelter volunteer and experienced foster, I was asked if I could help with a medical case. By doing so, it would free up time for shelter staff to focus on the influx of animals they were receiving. It was estimated I would be caring for this cat for 2-4 weeks. So I brought him home, happy to try and help nurse this cat back to health. For the first week, I had to keep him separate from my other cats, to avoid the possibility of spreading any undetected illnesses. This is standard procedure in any foster case. So I dutifully gave him 2 doses per day of the steroid Prednisolone, and varying doses of the antibiotic Doxycycline. I changed his paper-based cat litter every other day. Two weeks passed, and I noticed a slight improvement. But it wasn’t going as smoothly as planned. Treatment continued into the first month, but at that point it seemed like his progress had stalled. Other avenues were explored – perhaps he had a food allergy? Prescription wet and dry food were given, with no improvement made. Eventually the veterinarian suggested a biopsy on the affected foot, since medications weren’t helping and special food hadn’t improved his condition. After a week of waiting, the biopsy results were in – squamous cell carcinoma. This was a completely unexpected diagnosis. I brought him to the shelter’s clinic for x-rays, to ensure the cancer had not metastisized to his chest, lungs, or internal organs. The x-rays came back clear, the cancer had not spread. Good news! It was then decided to remove the affected leg, so that he could go on to live a normal, pain free life.

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Did you know that I’ve cried many tears for the pain that this sweet, innocent, trusting little fuzzball senior kitty has gone through, especially in the recent days since his surgery? I cry thinking about him wondering if I’ve abandoned him too and if I’m not coming back for him. But I pick him up tomorrow, and will do everything in my power to make his recovery as comfortable and pain free as possible. 

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Since I began volunteering almost 2 years ago, I make more of an effort to not judge people who surrender their pets. I know that life can change in the blink of an eye – illness, job loss, divorce. Those circumstances can affect people financially and therefore the ability to properly care for a pet. But I’ve also seen and heard people surrender their pet because “it got too big”, “it got too old”, “I don’t have time for it anymore”, “I’m moving and can’t take it with me”. To me, these really aren’t acceptable reasons to surrender a pet. I’ve gone through a divorce, through illnesses, through job losses, and I’m not wealthy, but ALWAYS, my pets are my priority. In fact, my pets have gotten me through the storms of life and for that I am grateful to each and every one of them. 

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So to Cheese's previous owner – I don’t know how long you had him, or the circumstances that led you to abandon him, but DID YOU KNOW……

  1.  the seriousness of his medical condition?
  2.  that he was terrified being left alone in the dark in the night drop kennels?
  3.  that it took days for him to calm down enough to allow staff to examine him?
  4.  that he gets along well with both cats and dogs?
  5.  that he loves all kinds of people food – ice cream, cheese, Cheez-Its, and many more?
  6.  that he loves toys and is very playful? that he "hoots" when playing his fleece goldfishes?
  7.  that he likes laying on his person while napping?
  8.  that he’s very affectionate?
  9.  that he’s very feisty?
  10.  that he loves fleece blankets? 
  11.  that I wonder if you ever think about him and how he’s doing? 
  12.  that he had his leg amputated on Friday the 13th, and that he’ll be coming home tomorrow to recuperate from his ordeal?
  13.  that he’ll be loved and taken care of for the rest of his life? 


INSTALLMENT 2

KITTY BEAR, aka KB, Kabes, K-Bear, Bobby K-Bear, Kabe-a-rooski

These are the notes from the shelter where you left Kitty Bear – “Owner surrendered because she is moving out of state and is unable to take him with her. She thinks that he is feral. Mentioned that he just stays in the bedroom and is shy. Cat is litter trained. Also that he is scared of children, would hiss and run away. Other animals came to visit the household and the cat showed no aggression towards them. They originally found the cat in a pipe when he was a kitten and they have had him since”.

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To Kitty Bear’s previous owner: Kitty Bear was 10 years old when I adopted him. If you found him as a kitten and have had him ever since, he should not be feral. If he was kept in a bedroom and given minimal attention and affection, he definitely would have retained some feral tendencies.

  

When I first met Kitty Bear back in April 2018 to take his shelter website photos, he reminded me of a white cat named Iggy that my grandma had when I was a kid. Iggy also had 2 different color eyes. So Kitty Bear definitely stood out to me, bringing back fond memories. Just one month prior to meeting Kitty Bear, I lost my 17 year old and 18 year old cat within 10 days of each other. In the house that left just me, my dog, and my 13 year old cat. The house felt emptier. I didn’t have to change the kitty litter as often with just 1 cat. I didn’t have to buy cat food as often. But I knew Kitty Bear would be coming home with me, it was just a matter of when. A month after adopting Kitty Bear, my 13 year old cat passed away unexpectedly. Kitty Bear was the lone kitty in the house, and I’m thankful he was there to help heal my broken heart. He and I could heal together, because I’m sure his heart was broken too after being surrendered by the only family he ever knew. 

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So to Kitty Bear’s previous owner, DID YOU KNOW:

  • that there are places that will accept pets wherever you decide to move? 
  • that this “shy” and “feral” cat attaches himself like velcro to me, and sleeps on the pillow above my head every night?
  • that he loves having his pretty white fur brushed and will nudge my hand to keep going if I stop brushing him?
  • that he now has full run of a house and is free to go wherever he pleases, that he’s not confined to a bedroom?
  • that he loves cat treats and will come running when he hears the treat jar opening?
  • that he has the cutest little wobble when he runs?
  • that he is a calm, quiet kitty unless his food bowl is empty? And even then, he voices his protest with a faint meow. 
  • that I wonder if you ever think about him and how he’s doing? 
  • that he’ll be loved and taken care of for the rest of his life? 
  • that he peacefully crossed the Rainbow Bridge with me by his side on April 24, 2020? And that I paid extra to stay by his side because a lot of vet offices weren't allowing people to stay with their pets due to Covid?