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Friday, June 18, 2010

Hello, My Name Is {insert name here}

So someone came home today that needs a special name. (here is where my parents take a deep sigh and roll their eyes). He is an iron grey (not tabby at all) and white cat, about two years old, that I pulled literally out of the hands of the euthanasia tech at the shelter. I understand the choice - he's not particularly adoptable - but he's really an amazing cat. And now he lives here. Because I needed another animal - especially a male - like I needed a dozen new holes in my head. His shelter name is Domino, which I'm not crazy about, and here's his (often unpleasant and graphic) story:

About two weeks ago, I was cleaning "Kitty Korner" (one of the cat rooms) and I saw this grey cat who seemed to have something sticking to his tail. The cat had been in the shelter for about two days (had been a stray before) and I assumed it was poop or litter or something. So I got a soapy rag, reached in and ran the rag down the cat's tail. The cat didn't struggle or complain, just nuzzled up against me sweetly. When I pulled the rag away, it was covered in blood and maggots.

Upon closer inspection, there were four large open and obviously infected wounds running down his tail. The end of his tail looked like it had a string with a puff ball hanging off of it. It didn't - the tail was open to the bone all the way around, with an inch of furred tail beneath that. He never complained that I touched what must have been excruciatingly painful, he never did anything but react like he though I was a pretty righteous chick.

It was quickly determined that Domino needed to have his tail removed, or he wouldn't make it - we put him on antibiotics and got him in for surgery the very next day. The day after that, with signs up about how terrible he must feel, warning people not to touch him and trying to explain the predicted groggy behavior, I went in to check on him. I opened his cage door, and he jumped into my arms.

I put him back gently and went up front, asking them to put a note in his file that if it came time to euth him, I wouldn't let that happen.

In addition to the tail injury, there's something wrong with his shoulder that prevents him from putting any weight on his right front leg. He doesn't mind his leg being manipulated (he's not crazy about it - he is a cat after all - but he tolerates it) and he can move the leg around on his own, but he has an extreme limp when he accidentally puts weight on it.

And right now, we have no space. None at all. Every time animal control brings in a new cat or dog, it means we have to pick a cat or dog we already have and put them down to make space. Summer SUCKS in shelters. Earlier this week we got rid of (through euth, rescues, or taking them to our cat barn) all the cats who had behavior problems or were sick. And today it was time to pick cats that have nothing wrong with them at all. I couldn't let Domino be one of those. I just couldn't.

So he's home now, and is more comfortable in his new surroundings than I have ever seen a cat settle in - ever. Everyone here has had a chance to sniff him (while he was in the carrier) and he just sat there, gazing at everyone calmly, and now he's in the spare room settling in. He won't be allowed out for a day or two, I think, and will be put back in the spare room while I'm not home for a few weeks after that. Technically he's a foster at the moment, the shelter will cover his shoulder being looked at and any treatment resulting from that, and then once that's done an adoption can be made final.

But he needs a name - something strong and brave and sweet and charming and encouraging...
Not too much for one little cat, right?

12 Comments:

Blogger Walden said...

Not sure, but he looks like a Tyler or an Alexander to me. That is a wonderful thing you did. We are hoping to get a dog this summer and I told my fiance we will be getting one from the pound somewhere. My heart breaks going into them, so many deserving animals.

1:45 AM  
Blogger Pugs and Kneedles said...

Sterling!

It describes his color, his attitude and his capacity to deal with what life has handed him with grace, dignity and love. He is Sterling in every sense of the word.

Congrats on your new adoption. As the proud humom of many rescues, I know how challenging it can be, but the benefits always far exceed the challenges. He is a lovely little kitty and I am so thankful that you found a place in your heart and home for such a remarkable little fellow.

Enjoy your new fur baby.

9:13 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

First of all, he's gorgeous. Second, we adopted an 'unadoptable' cat about 8 years ago....head trauma and seizure disorder...and everyday we're happy we gave her the opportunity to have a good life.

Names? Aldrick or Woolcott. :-)

kim in oregon

11:17 AM  
Anonymous Lynne said...

What a cutie :) How about Sir Lancelot?

12:40 PM  
Anonymous Ann-Marie said...

I was going to suggest Victor (and all that that implies), but instead I will second the nomination of Sterling. That sounds just perfect.

8:19 PM  
Anonymous Lorraine said...

How about Braveheart

9:48 PM  
Blogger Moorecat said...

There's a book on the shelf next to him "Shadow Knitting"; how about Shadow?

He reminds of my dearly departed Corrie, who had to have his tail removed after a traffic accident. He always seemed to be smugly grateful when the kids were growing up, that he didn't have a handle to grab, like our other cat, Fliss.

12:03 AM  
Blogger knittingdragonflies said...

Oh how sweet, and you have such a big heart. Good for you and this little guy.
Although I like Sterling also, I'll suggest Rain, for the fresh start he is getting, it won't be cloudy and grey for him anymore.
Vicki

5:07 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was going to suggest Yoda for his philosophic attitude, but I think Sterling is a great choice!
Mom

12:33 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Pugs and Kneedles" is/are right on! He should be called Sterling.

Dad

12:45 PM  
Anonymous k said...

Being literary-ish; Mister, from The Dresden Files, or the Marquis de Carabas.

5:40 PM  
Blogger Guinifer said...

He looks very much like an old fellow I once had named Rudy. For Rudolph Valentino - because he was a heartbreaker!

7:39 PM  

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