Some of you may remember Fluffy, a cat who was interviewed for this journal back in August, 2006:An Interview With A Handicapped Cat-Fluffy, and her FurMom- Laurentha Laurentha, her kitty slave, sent me her story of inspiration, hope and joy! There are two new photos of Fluffy and I thought it would be really sweet to share her story again here. Laurentha writes:
"When Fluffy was a few weeks old she ran thru a doorway when the door happened to be swinging shut. The door caught her and broke her spine just before the bladder. Due to the owner's finances,she was not taken to a vet. It was a shame! When she started living outside with the rest of the litter (can we say irresponsible pet owners?) my son brought her home because he knew she would never survive where she was.
She doesn't seem to have any feeling in either back leg or tail but does have some limited feeling in her body. I think she can feel bladder and bowel movements as she really fusses during them. Also, if her tail is tugged hard enough (this was done by the vet during a test) she does feel it. Her right leg is hyperextended and pretty much useless. The left leg is weak but she tucks it under and uses it to push. We have to be very careful not to step on her which is sometimes unavoidable because she is very bad about getting underfoot.
While I was warned that she would most likely suffer frequent urinary tract infections, bowel problems and skin problems from the diapers, that has not been the case. While she did have one very bad one not long after we got her, I've learned a lot more which I'm sure has prevented a lot of potential problems. Her bladder is expressed several times a day and we try for at least one good bowel movement a day. I make sure her bottom is clean and she sleeps in a medium sized dog carrier without a diaper overnight to give her skin a chance to air.
Fluffy plays with toys, romps with our six year old cat, loves the kitty tunnel, follows me around the house and can climb on anything that she can sink her claws into. She's very smart and tries to hide when she knows it's time for a diaper change and bed. She shares the house with my four other cats and three dogs and has taught our 70 pound dog that her claws are quite sharp. She's been with us for a year and a half (where has the time gone?) and is happy, healthy and a spoiled brat. "
Editor's note: Of course she is spoiled. All kitties deserve this treatment, and this particularly brave and courageous kitty certainly is a prime candidate for any and all of this treatment!
7 comments:
I am so happy for all of you especially Fluffy. Goes to show you what a lot of love and patience can do. I think this is truly a miracle from God or the saint that watches over our critters. I love hearing stories like this, it gives us hope and encourages us to help God's creations. Love and peace to all of you and I would like to continue hearing Fluffy's progress if any. Christina, ccero423@aol.com
Awe inspiring. Brought tears to my eyes. Shows what love can do no matter what the circumstances.
fluffy is sooo beautiful. and sooo smart.
long live fluffy!!!!
prayers and blessings for a long and healthy life for her.
I am so glad Fluffy is doing Great! Keep up the good work with this dear cat.
I have a Cat named Samantha, which she is 90% Simese. She came to
my house lonely, cold, and only had 1 eye. We will never know what happened to her eye. We immediately took her in and cared for her. She had kittens
too. My daughter has 2 of her kittens. This was 7 years ago. My vet
decided years ago to not sew her up. He said it would be very painful for her.
So she is a wonderful cat, eye or nor eye. Her off spring, ( My daughter Holly cats)
are just like her. Very easy going and they just love people. So the lord
works in strange ways. It was just met to be. Pic later if you want one.
We love Fluffy! Always, Susie
Thank you, Jo, for helping to get the word out that pets with disabilities can lead a very full and active life. Fluffy came to me unexpectedly and I had a lot to learn. Jo really came to my rescue by helping with web research and putting me in contact with an online friend of hers who also has a rear paralyzed cat.
There is wonderful online support for handicapped pets. Unless there is a serious health or quality of life issue, a physical handicap is NOT a reason not to give these animals a full life. When people have suggested that I have Fluffy put down because of her disability I've brought up the 18 yo girl down the street who has severe spina bifida and is wheelchair bound and in diapers and ask if she should be euthenized.
Thank you all for the wonderful comments.
Barb aka Fluffy's slave
Thanks so much for your hard - and rewarding* - work helping one of our "disabled" guys - er, DOLLS.
Such a lovely Girl - so easy to see why she just has to be loved and doted on - I theink Editor said it nicely - that all cats Deserve to be spoiled, and we should gladly work our fingers to the bone for them, and so on.
What's so really good is to see that "disability" is just relative. The full and rich lives of so many, so-called "disabled" animals - and people - is, truly, an inspiration.
Prayers that this finds all's well - meaning that Fluffy is being spoiled even as this is written :)
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