Feral Fables

It's hard to believe, but Marty and I have just finished the downstairs "media" room that was devastated by the flooding here in Milwaukee last July. This was only a few weeks into the beginning of the blog site's opening. I have been trying to introduce all the cats (past &; present) along with their overall antics. While I was taking things from storage I came across some notes I wrote about "Caruso". I have not introduced him into the blog yet as he passed away on 1-16-2010. It has been difficult to write about him.

As all the rest of the cats did, Caruso came into our lives very unexpectedly. The first time I was made aware of him was on an early June morning when the window was open. He was, ahem, shall we say---singing his way through the neighborhood looking for a lady friend. He was so loud you could hear him three houses away. That's how he got his name-----for those of you who don't know or who are too young to know-----Enrique Caruso was a great opera tenor. The first time he came into the yard when I was sitting in the nice weather, he came right up to me and purred and purred-------loud!! The other cats were not excited about this addition, but he could care less. He'd found a nice shelter with free food and he wasn't going anywhere. He loved to eat, eat, eat. Treats he just gulped right out of my hand and he would sit like a dog waiting to get his. And believe me, he could not, would not be ignored. He became conditioned to the beeper on the microwave because I heat the cold food up before serving it. I loved this cat! He would jump up on my lap and put his front paws on my chest and just purr. I don't know why, but I always felt he was given to me because of the loss of my cat Tuffy several years ago.

Caruso's favorite place to sleep was always right in the middle of the floor. I think this was his way of telling the other cats, "You can't get rid of me!" He also developed other spots where he enjoyed sleeping.... On the couch (right in the middle all stretched out!) any of the chairs, the guest bed and many outdoor spots as well. When it was time to go out to sleep on the porch at night, he had the most peculiar habit of hissing very loudly as I showed him out or picked him up and took him out! It was never accompanied by any aggressive behavior, just the loud hiss which both my husband and I came to expect and laugh about. Eventually he did begin to want to stay in the house at night in the colder weather, but of course he still wanted to go out when he wanted to, so it became a habit of waking up in the wee hours of the morning and letting him out before rolling back into bed. Man---he sure did rule the roost!

When I had him neutered, I took him to my own vet. I had suffered the loss of 4 male cats in a row who had tested positive for FIV. When that happens to a cat in the TNR program, our Humane Society automatically kills these cats. I had done a lot of reading about FIV and found that not all shelters or rescue groups agree with this policy. In fact Alley Cat Allies no longer promotes this policy unless it appears that an animal may already be quite ill. I was afraid he may test positive so I spent my own money to have his surgery done. While at the vet appointment with Caruso (who was really just loving all the extra attention he was getting) the Doctor convinced me it would be in his best interest to know as it may help us to make decisions about his healthcare someday. I consented. He was neutered and he did test positive for FIV but not FeLV(leukemia). Cats can live long lives with FIV as long as their health is managed. So he came home and joined our group.

It is hard to explain everything that happened between my last entry and today. So much has happened to me, my family, my house and of course, my cats. As if being bitten wasn't enough, a few weeks later, I slammed my finger in the dining room swinging door which does not close completely unless it is pulled. Well I pulled it, and it ripped the entire nail and tip almost completely off. This also resulted in a trip to the ER (same hand) wouldn't ya know and my middle finger, of course. So I got to flip everyone off all during Christmas with a good excuse. None of this has any thing to do with the cats, but it helps explain why I have not been able to type. Also had hand surgery in Feb. 2011 and am still recovering from that.

All that doesn't hold a candle to what came next. On Superbowl Sunday morning Hunter came in and went to lay down in his fav spot pretty quickly. I had a fleeting thought of concern. My husband always says I over react where the cats are concerned, so we went to our super bowl party and came home with the thrill of another Green Bay Title. All this was immediately forgotten when Hunter entered the room. He was only using three legs to walk. He would not let me examine him and yelped when I did try to touch him.

This led me to suspect that once again he had a bite wound. We packed him up and took him to the ER once again. He had a very high fever and yes, numerous bite wounds---------more than the ones he had last fall. He stayed in the hospital for two days on IV fluids and antibiotics. I was visiting him twice a day and trying to get him to eat. He came home on Tuesday night when his temperature had been stable for a 24 hours. He did not have to have a drain tube put in because there was no abscess at this point. I had set-up an elaborate 2 crate space for him in the living room at table hight so I could interact with him easily while he was crated. Doctor orders were to keep him very quiet-----no walking, jumping, playing. He needed to rest. Since he had so many areas of injury, much of his fur had been shaved off. He was a perfect patient for me. He accepted his situation with quietude and grace. He seemed to be moving around in his cage OK and his spirits seemed improved to me. On Sunday, I decided to take him out of the crate for a few minutes to let him move around a bit. He was happy to be out, but he seemed a bit disoriented. He meowed and crouched a bit oddly as if he was in a strange place. I thought maybe he was just getting his legs back. But after a few more minutes, I noticed strange mouth movements (lip smacking) and extremely dilated pupils. I knew this was bad so once again poor Hunter was taken back to the ER. His temperature was up again which was a sign he was having difficulty fighting off an infection.

This was difficult decision making time for Marty and I. This was Hunter's second fight injury in four months. We knew, just like Caruso, he was not an inside only cat. He was happy to be indoors for long periods of time, but he still wanted out. We couldn't keep putting him through this type of medical treatment not only from a financial standpoint but from a quality of life standpoint as well. We decided we would try one more time-----a night in the hospital with IV fluids and antibiotics. Some further testing was recommended. Hunter had tested negative for FIV/FeLV in the past, but the doctors had concern that he may have acquired it from the bite he received the previous fall. We agreed to the tests and went home to cook our "Valentine Day's" dinner (lobster!) Just as soon as we sat down, the phone rang and it was the ER doctor. She did not have good news-----Hunter had tested positive for FIV and it was clear that this is why he was having difficulty fighting the infection he had. We knew immediately what our course of action would be. We had discussed it. After dinner, we somberly drove to the ER hospital knowing we needed to have Hunter put down. I have been in and out of this hospital so many time, but when I entered the doors that night, I almost fell down with grief.  Going in with a sick animal or to pick up a sick animal to come home is completely different from entering and knowing you are going to end a life.

We definitely wanted to see him and hold him during the procedure. I know this is a very personal decision for pet owners, but I could not have it any other way. I have had to do this twice in 14 months and both experiences were very peaceful, loving and very, very quick. One moment you can feel the life you are holding and two or three seconds later you only feel and "empty" body----void of life. We requested a  paw print and a bit of fur.......he was so beautiful. We also requested a private cremation and will bury most of his ashes in the garden like Caruso, Fuzzywig and Tuffy have been. I will keep some in memory of him.

So, it has taken me over two months to put any of this into words. Partially due to my hand surgery, but almost entirely because it is still too painful to relive. Hunter was such a great cat. He had such beauty, loved to eat and loved to play more than any other cat we've had. We have missed him dearly. See you over the Rainbow Bridge "big cahuna."

Tonight I found a small crusty "thing" on the tip of "Braveheart's" ear.

It is no surprise that I have not been able to keep up with blogging with all that has happened around here in the last month. In early November "Hunter" came home with an injury to his front right paw. I wasn't sure what it was as I saw no bleeding or scratches, but upon examination at the emergency vet service (the receptionist knows me by name now when I come in the door) it was found that he had a bite wound. As always with bite wounds, there is a very high risk of abscess with any bite. His was infected and required a cleaning and the placement of a drain for three days. He had to be crated during this time, but took it in stride pretty much. He was allowed out in the house when supervised, but not outside until fully healed.

On the day he was being taken in for stitches to be removed, I decided to remove his "e-collar" so it would be easier to get him in the carrier. Unfortunately the collar was not easy to un-hook and Hunter got freaked out by all the movement around his face. When I finally removed the collar and went to pet him, he reacted with a bite to my hand. OK....... I probably deserved that (from his standpoint) but it made me feel dejected for a while.

I have been bitten before........it is part of dealing with animals in the wild....... so I knew to wash it right away and apply antibiotic salve. Unfortunately, I could tell within minutes that I needed to go to the doctor for antibiotic medication. The clinic got me in right away because they know cat bites can get nasty fast. So the doctor prescribed the pills and I  was on my way to the drug store. Then I took Hunter to the vet to have the stitches removed. Driving home with him, I noticed that my hand was hurting more and more and was getting redder and more swollen by the minute. I marked my hand with a marker so I could see how fast the red area was spreading. To make an already long story short, after three calls to the Doctor and a visit to an Urgent Care, I was driven (quite madly) by my friend Heidi to St. Mary's ER where I was admitted and remained for 4 days on IV antibiotics.

What basically happened was I developed cellulitis from the bite which spread across my hand and halfway up my forearm before receding completely. It was a little un-nerving to say the least, but it kind of goes with the territory. Since I was bitten before I already have had the rabies series and tents shots. (Rabies shots are not all that bad any longer.) I should have used more caution. Cats that have come from off the street have an unknown history. We do not know what may have happened to them and so they can sometimes behave unpredictably. I had previously noticed that Hunter is uncomfortable with motion around his head or body. If I walk past him, he may perceive that as threatening. So it is no surprise really to me in hind site that he bit me. What I learned----------never remove an e-collar again-------use sturdy gloves when interacting with cats who are injured and hurting.

Now if this was not enough, two days after I got home poor "Jingle" was bit AGAIN in his neck and shoulder. Worse bit than Hunter-------there was already a small abscess that had formed.

He required surgery also and is now recovering. It has been very difficult because he is so vocal. I can not walk away from him or he just howls and howls! I am at my wits end! Thank God I have a great vet who understands this predicament and will prescribe something to settle him down, especially at night just for the next few days when the stitches come out. Wonder if she can prescribe something for ME??? I need it too!   :-)

Things have been quiet around here for the most part. No ER trips recently------We have been having very mild, dry weather for this time of year and I think all of us Wisconsinites have been enjoying it as much as possible as we know what winter tends to have in store for us. Today there is very high wind so all the leaves and garden debris is being whipped around all over the neighborhood.

The other evening I had a moment or two of worry, looking for Kibble. Kibble is always around.......she stays either in the house or very near by so that when I call she comes running. Well after returning home from a small shopping trip, I left both of the garage doors open as I brought in a couple of light bags of groceries. Usually we try to keep the cats out of the garage for various reasons, but that night I didn't bother. Awhile later, I found myself noticing that I hadn't seen Kibble in over an hour. I hunted around the house, hitting all of her sleeping spots, but she was not in any of them. Then I called for her repeatedly outside, but she did not come running. I had a sick moment of panic---------I looked out to the street-----thank God, there was nothing there. I was worried because about this time last year she was actually trapped by a neighbor down the block and I found her at Animal Control, quite by luck.

About the time I was really beginning to panic, I looked out to the yard again and happened to glance at the  small door of the garage. It has a window about 4 feet off the ground. Well-----there, in the window, I saw a little head peeking out! Kibble had been closed in the garage and now she was literally hanging on the trim around the window so I would see her face in the window! It was the funniest sight (not to her I'm sure.....). She has been locked in the garage before, so you'd think she'd learn. Ha!! You'd think I'd learn!

That's all for today!

When Blossom passed away the potential owner who had been waiting all this time for her cat, was still interested in having a cat. Well, it just so happens that I came across another potential cat. My neighbor down the block has a new cat that has come around. He was named "Baby"by the family. Actually we did not know if he was a male or female until we took him to the vet. He is so beautiful and FRIENDLY that I couldn't believe he did not have an owner. We took him Baby since he is so friendly and really should not be outside because of that. We took him to her house over the weekend and so far, all is well. Seems it is a good match. If not though, Baby will come right back to my neighbors who will continue to watch over him.

We have spent time winterizing the porch for the cats. All is ready for the colder weather and even though the weather is still pleasant some nights, some of them do choose to sleep on the porch in a heated bed. The cats are really enjoying the daytime weather in the 50's and 60's with sun. They have been lying about the yard and keeping me company as I cut back some of the garden and take the last of the flowers before our first frost which should be any day now.

This week I helped a friend with a kitten who needed to be trapped and neutered. Her work schedule doesn't allow her to get the cat to the Humane Society for the surgery in the morning so we have worked out a plan. We keep the cat overnight at our house. Then in the morning, Marty loaded up the kitten and I drove it over. The kitten is a female and so tiny------her name is "Itty-Bitty." Now my friend has just two more cats to get, so that is the goal for the next couple of weeks.

This week that same friend also lost a cat she was trying to place in a home. This cat just showed up one day in her yard, but was clearly not a feral--------she was just way too friendly. She was all white with a long coat, but she had not been cared for in awhile. We named her "Blossom" for a lotus blossom which is pure white. We took her to the vet as we thought she may be pregnant. It was not possible to tell yet about a pregnancy, but we did find that she had a mammary tumor. These can form in female cats when they have not been spayed and in fact is one good reason why you should spay your female cats. Anyway, we found a foster for her to have her kittens if she was indeed pregnant. Well the time passed and there were no kittens so we made the spay appointment with the vet who was to remove the tumor at the same time. She came to our house on Wednesday night. She looked so beautiful------her fur had filled in so nicely and was soft, pure white. My friend came to see her and we were so happy she was to go to her new home soon.

The next day I drove her for the surgery and acted as a contact for my friend who's job kept her from being available for this. About 10 a.m. I received a call to tell me that Blossom was not doing well with the anesthesia...... a minute later we lost her. Blossom was not pregnant, but her cancer had spread to 7 or 8 mammary glands, and her respiratory system-------her heart could not tolerate the anesthesia. The vet said even if we had not brought her in for the procedure, she only had 7-10 days to live. The saddest part of all was the vet said one of her mammary glands had already been surgically removed in the past. This means that she belonged to someone at one point (which we already knew) and that owner basically turned her out when she became sick and the costs were probably too much. How sad....... I have a very difficult time understanding why someone would do this. It seems so intentionally cruel. Poor Blossom------all she wanted was to be loved.......