That Special Girl By The Side Of The Road

The day started out as usual, with so many plans for what was going to be a busy day ahead. A lot of things were on my mind. When I left home, I thought to myself, darn I left the carrier again. On my route, as I turned left, lo and behold, a very familiar figure was sitting on the side of the road looking so miserable. Its eyes were shut and my first thought was it was blind, how was it going to survive in the streets. I knew the vet office and pets supplies store in the area. On the way back, with my new carrier, I looked for the white and orange cat. It moved a little nearer the street and was laying down. As I approached I saw that it was a female (she was tricolored) and one of her ears was missing, her eyes were shut and she had scabies. She also had ants walking all over her fur. As I said hello, she looked at my direction and meowed. One lady vendor approached me and asked if I was going to take the cat. I asked if she was the owner. She said no and helped me put her in the carrier. She started to cry and I talked to her as we went along. I noticed that her cries were getting louder. I was so shocked to find her hanging at the back of my head rest, the girl had escaped her carrier! But she seemed frozen on the spot. After a few minutes of maneuvering, scattering my things in the front so she can stay beside me while in the carrier and putting her in the carrier (which was the tricky part), we were on our way. When I woke up this morning, I didn't imagine that I'd be having this adventure. Then she started scratching and all the dander flew all over, thank goodness for my inhaler!

She is now confined at the hospital. She's positive for scabies, ear mites and her blood test showed she has an infection. Good news is that she's not blind. Her blood glucose will also be monitored as results were very high.

She now goes by the name Lychee, she is so sweet and starved for affection. I wanted to hug her but couldn't the way I wanted to at this time as her skin condition is contagious, I have Honey and the cats at home to consider.

She let the doctors examine, poke, clean and extract blood from her without any complaint.

With TLC, she will be a beautiful girl someday (although to me, she is already beautiful and precious). I want her to have a good life and have all the love she wants and needs.

Lychee resting in between tests

Gratitude

Today wasn't such a great day, I was feeling physically ill and tired which led to being emotionally drained and moody. I had meetings from morning until evening and I just wanted to crawl in my bed or maybe just go to the moon.

At the end of the day I passed by a drugstore and got more underpads for Potato. As I carried my bundle, I could picture his sweet face in my mind. He was at home waiting for me and depending on us to take care of him. I could only imagine what he was going through as his life was suddenly disrupted the day he was run over. From running around and doing what he pleased to becoming paralyzed and dependent on humans. He can't even stand up to use a litter box and now he has to wear an e-collar so he wouldn't be able to lick his wounds. And all this time, he was still a very gentle soul, not attempting to scratch or bite us even if we force him to eat (at the start) or give him his long list of medication. He would growl when we clean his wounds and change his underpads but other than that there are no signs of aggression.

Potato's stock of underpads

So, thank you Potato for being such a great example of patience, gentleness and forberance.  We learn a lot from you.

A Long Battle Ahead for Potato

Last Sunday, October 30, my Mom informed me that a cat outside had been run over and he was still alive. When I went out to check, there was an orange and white cat laying on the side of the road.  I could see a part of his thigh was very dirty. We brought him to the hospital and his x-ray showed several bones were broken in his hip area. The vet asked me what my plans were, because the cat was a stray. He said that if organs were damaged, he would have no more quality of life and if that would happen I would have to think of putting him down. I discussed with him that we will see first how he will respond to medication and go on from there.

I could understand his concern. I know he wanted me to be ready in case Potato doesn't pull through. But in our experience, strays have very strong fighting spirits and wills to survive. My brother Anton was with me and he was worried about the cat after he heard our conversation. We talked while the cat, who we named Potato, was being cleaned and placed with IV. Out cat, Popoy was beaten and also had hip fractures but is thriving now and has surpassed Pacquito in terms of being the house heavy weight. But the greatest example we have of a cat's will to live was our late Wild Cat. He was a tough cat when he first showed up and looked like a meanie. He came around during meal times until eventually we were able to pet him. His face was run over by one of the neighbors and his chin was cracked in the middle. His tongue was turning black and hanging. He already reeked of rotting flesh when he came to us one morning. But he recovered and lived for several more years, succumbing to kidney failure in his old age. This battle scarred tough guy let me hold him in my arms and even let me kiss him on the head during his last days.

Potato was discharged yesterday and is now recovering at home. He has to take a lot of medication and since he didn't want to eat this morning, had to be force fed. He still cannot stand up. We are waiting for  advice from the hospital's orthopedic surgeon if he needs to undergo surgery. In the meantime, we have to build up his strength.

Potato's doggy bag of medicine

His first night at home

It's still a long battle for Potato, but as long as he's not giving up, we're not giving up on him either.

A Brave Dog Named Jabbar

I first learned about Jabbar through the FB post of CARA Welfare Philippines and and his progress through the correspondence between CARA volunteers. As with others, I felt so bad for the poor boy, having to suffer 3 years in his condition. He was attacked by drunkards who wanted to make him their meal. He was fortunate to escape but the damage had been done. His caregivers did the best that they could, with having no extra income for his treatment.

It is so touching to see people respond and help for his treatment, even people from other parts of the world who would probably never see or meet him. Folks would visit him in the hospital to give comfort and lift his spirit.

Biopsy results came out and Jabbar has cancer. I went to see him tonight. My heart felt like it was being twisted when I saw him in person. He was so quiet. The doctor said he had chemotherapy and this was one of the effects. As I sat there, I quietly talked to him, hoping that he will remember me, and that he knows that he is loved by many.

Jabbar, like many others, is a victim of cruelty. I hear so many horror stories and see the gruesome pictures. I hate it when I see that some poor soul has to be put down because he was unfortunate enough to be unwanted. And yet, it is important to have our eyes open to know what is happening around us.  And more importantly, to do something about it.

Jabbar was supposed to be released tomorrow to be cared for by a CARA volunteer. He will need to stay in the hospital to regain his strength after his chemotherapy. His will to live is strong and he is happy when people visit and spend time with him.

If you would like to help or know more about CARA Welfare Phils., please visit their website

http://www.caraphil.org.

Gone But Never Forgotten

A friend of mine recently lost her beloved cat. Although I didn't know her cat, Piki, personally their bond could be felt from her stories and their pictures. She is in pain and I can't help but share it with her.

Through the years, we have lost precious cats who are not just pets but members of the family. We have been with them as they were growing up and they were like our children.

The length of time they were with us does not matter, the impact of their lives in ours is still strong.

I can still vividly recall the first time I saw each and every one of them. I carry them in my heart always.

Cinnamon

Sushi & Sake

Baba Ganush & Falafel

Mallows

Munchkin

Peppermint

And together with Mudpie, Pumpkin, Snickers, Fudgy, Wildcat, Nina and all the street kitties we took care of and have grown to love, we will always miss you. Thank you for being an important part of our lives <3.

"Losing a cat is no less painful than losing any other cherished friend. You miss their presence, their voice, their affection, the way they made you laugh. But as with any lost loved one, their presence will live on in the memories and love you carry with you". Louise Roberts

Ssshhhh, Kitties Sleeping

"Cats are rather delicate creatures and they are subject to a good many ailments, but I never heard of one who suffered from insomnia. " ~Joseph Wood Krutch

These are a few of my favorite photos of my furry babies. It's quite difficult to catch them in action but when they are in deep slumber, they do manage to strike a pose.

Good Night Peppermint

Each night when I get home I am greeted by the front door by a horde of cats and as expected, in front of them will be this small black and white tuxedo kitten. Sometimes, he would be so impatient, that when I open the door he would go out and we will have this chase in the garage.

I have been with Peppermint from the moment he was born. He was the second of three kittens. At first he was a bit aloof. As time passed, he became confident and started showing his true personality.

How do I start describing this wonderful kitten, thinking about him brings a lump to my throat and at the same time, a smile on my face. Peppermint loved human contact, there was this time that I was grumpy because the cable guy arrived at a time I was resting from a long flight. Whenever he would bend down, Peppermint would jump on his back. I couldn't stop laughing. The cable guy told me I had such friendly cats but I could see in his face he was a bit apprehensive. There was no reason to be, but of course he would not have known that.

And no matter how many cats are sleeping on my lap, he would make a straight line for me and make a place for himself among the others until he would be the only one left. Then he would touch my face with his paw as if to say "thank you". He also likes to jump on us, we have to be quick to catch him or he would be left dangling on our clothes, ouch. Then he would slither up our shoulders and look like a kitty scarf before we can put him down.

Peppermint was so affectionate that when one morning he was just lying on the table, we became worried. He showed no symptoms and the night before we were taking pictures together. This was the time one of my cats, Godiva was confined in the hospital. He was brought to the hospital together with Maxx. They were both confined and they found that he had a fever.

To my shock, the hospital called the next night to tell us that my Peppermint had passed away. I was waiting for traffic to get better before going to visit him, so I was too late to see him and be with him in his last breath. As we hugged him at the clinic, I couldn't believe that my beautiful kitten was gone! The vet talked to us and told us what happened. Peppermint had pneumonia. I was asking her questions and she seemed to have read what was on my mind..."how could I have not known?!". She told us that cats are very secretive, they will not show their weakness. She even said that they don't want their humans to worry. This even made me cry more.

When I get home, I still expect to see Peppermint come running to greet me. I think of all the times he made me laugh and took away some of my worries just by being Peppermint. I miss him terribly and I will always be grateful that this beautiful cat was a part of my life.

Mommy will love you always Peppermint and will never forget you! Sleep tight my baby boy...