Monday, March 07, 2011

"Beasley"

Back in the rescue saddle after a blissful romantic weekend in New York City.  I don't know what I did to deserve such an amazing man, but I sure hit the jackpot.  We had a few rescues while I was away, and quite a few adoption phone calls.  Sadly, all the adoption meetings are taking place this week, so we didn't have any adoptions while I was out of town.

This post isn't about my weekend or updates.  It's about a very sweet grey cat named "Beasley".  Beasley caught my eye at the shelter because he was too big for a regular cage so they put him in a maternity cage.  Beasley had been declawed and was incredibly sweet.  I loved him, so couldn't wait to sing his praises to another foster Mom.  Fortunately for Beasley, he hit the "Foster Home Jackpot" and went home with Dori that evening. 

From a rescue standpoint, I don't mind spending money on a cat that needs it.  Sometimes I encourage the KNOWN sad medical cases, but at least I'm financially prepared.  But with Beasley, I was really unprepared for the diagnosis.

When we rescued Beasley, I knew that he might need some dental work.  Hell, he's a 5-6 year old cat so that comes with the territory.  It looked like Beasley had an ear infection or ear mites too.  No problem - we'll fix him right up...right? 

WRONG.

Beasley's ear was so badly infected that he requires expensive surgery.  The poor guy has no doubt been in excruciating pain for YEARS and nobody has bothered to take him to the vets.  How did he live like this for so long??  His surgery is going to be more than $600.00, BEFORE the dental. 

Poor, poor Beasley.  I can still see him sitting in that maternity cage with his feet tucked under him sitting on one of the homemade knitted blankies.  I had NO idea he had been in so much pain.  His foster Mom tells me when she went to pick him up that he wrapped his front paws around her neck and started kneading.  Bless his little heart.

Of course, Beasley will have his surgery.  The vet said the hideous infection needs to clear up first.  This surgery really cuts into my savings for kitten season, but once a cat is in our care, we do what needs to be done.   I just hate surprises like this.  It's so hard to plan for this stuff.

But look at Beasley's picture...how could we not want the VERY best for him??

15 comments:

hmacross said...

What a cutie. He looks just like my Shadow

hmacross said...

What a cutie. He looks just like my Shadow

Anonymous said...

Yay for Beasley :) He looks lovely!

I hope that the previous owners were more oblivious, but even being oblivious to conditions is equally as terrible. I guess one is just 'easier' to accept, ignorance in many cases isn't bliss as a pet owner.

As a vet assistant and future vet, we really need to inform people that cats DONT ALWATS show when they are sick. Some of the worst cases I have seen the cat doesnt 'act' sick so no one does anything. Thankfully, this is the year of the cat and hopefully veterinarians across the globe educate their cat owners. There was a study done by the OVMA that 56% of people would take their cat to the vet if they knew the cat needed it! It is important to educate people on what to look for with cats and this is beneficial for vets too$$!

One of the vets I personally LOVE has seen far too many 13 year old cats lost to kidney failure, and the cats were chronic inappropriate pee'ers whose behaviour was blamed on behaviour :(

YAY for Beasley and your wonderful hubby!

Faith J. said...

So glad Beasley is going to get the care he needs! Please let us know when he is feeling better!

Caroline said...

OMG Beasley is soo cute! I'm so glad you agreed to help him!

Kathie said...

Beasley is beautiful and I am so glad to hear you got him into a foster home and he'll be taken care of medically. Have you ever thought of putting a ChipIn thing on your blog? I think it would work for you, I have one trying to get donations to reopen our rescue we are a 501c3 and survive on donations, we had to close last fall, just no money for vaccines, treatment, spays and neuters. But we have cats and dogs and kittens and puppies already and we are ( 5 of us) doing what we can to get things going. Just a thought. Mine isn't doing well but you have lots more followers and are more known in the cat world.

House of the Discarded said...

Kathie: Thank you for the vote of confidence and some great ideas! I've thought about a chipin thingy, but don't want my blog to turn into a "need a donation" reader. I started the blog to vent and talk about rescue - so am REALLY hesitant to put a chipin thingy in it. *ahhh...I'll have to give it some thought..." Thank you so much, Kathie

Crystal said...

Bless his little heart:) He looks so at peace...Dori will take amazing care of this little man!

Anonymous said...

The worst part is that his ear smells soooooo bad.....even if they didn't look inside, the smell should have alerted his owners that something was wrong. Obviously he didn't get any attention from them. He is a fantastic "little" lovebug:)

Dori

Zippy, Sadie, Speedy and M'Gee said...

Beth, the Chip-in thing is a great idea. You could do it for things like this where the cat needs extra help. For us Facebook is a great place to promote it too! No one is going to leave you because you ask for a few dollars to help a sick or injured kitty.
My friends think I'm crazy for smelling cats ears and breath, but really, it is the first sign that something is 'off'. When those crazy ferals hiss right in my face I sniff it in and can tell you whether they have something going on in their mouths. My 14 year old cats ears smell a little bit like chanel #5 perfume, seriously, she has the sweetest smell to her fur too! It's just a shame she isn't all that cuddly.

havetailwillwag said...

What a sweetie he is! I'm so glad that he is getting the surgery he is and will no longer be in pain!

Emsworth Girl said...

He honestly looks like he's smiling he knows he's safe.
I'd put a donation button on facebook or blog just put the wording the way you want it. People will understand it's a rescue.

Lisa said...

Just looking at that face makes it all worthwhile.
I hit the similar 'jackpot' with my Tom...major dental surgery, infections, food allergies, and FIV.
When I see him sleeping comfortably and purring, it reminds me that there's no way I would ever say 'no' to alleviating suffering. The sight of a contented cat is better for my soul than any jewellery or pretty trinkets.

Brandon said...

For those interested in helping please visit our website for some information on how to send a donation his way. He will also be on our Facebook page as our featured cat.

Caro and 2 Bluecatz said...

I looove grey cats. Wonder if she's part Russian blue. It's criminal negligence to ignore this pet's health and not notice the smelly warning signs. Kudos to you and your crew, and to Dori. We know he's in safe loving hands now. I can only give a small donation but it will help in the long run. Less Starbucks to go...