So, our miracle kitty returned, literally staggering up the driveway toward the back door where we used to feed her, so bony that I marveled how she was managing to stand, let alone walk toward me. A couple weeks of love and feeding followed as we also tried several times to get her to the vet (an infected paw, a suspiciously distended belly, and a funny smell). Fourth time was the charm, as Joe was finally able to gently grab her and put her in the carrier, with nary a protest for her exhausted little frame.
Once at the vet, we received confirmation that her belly was full of worms, thankfully easy to treat. But what we weren’t expecting was an open wound on that soft little belly, something we hadn’t noticed since she won’t let us pick her up or hold her, which was also the source of the smell. Thankfully, nothing vital was harmed, and the vet said that the wound had already begun to heal, a fact that continues to amaze us considering her FIV status.
So, lil’ Snakey is now living in the basement, warm and comfy in a very large dog cage, for now. She is finishing up a round of antibiotics, and we want to keep her in until her stomach has healed completely. In the meantime, Joe will be building a house for her that will essentially be in the basement, but will provide her with access to the outdoors when she wants it.
What we’ve discovered with half-feral kitties is that, even though they may love you, they don’t want to live indoors with you. The house we’re building is the best solution we can find for keeping her happy and safe.
What is it about Snake that melts our hearts and keeps us trying to find a way to give her a happy life? I think it’s the fact that, as hard and fearful as her life has been so far, she still loves and trusts us, always returning to us for help and comfort. All of her suffering and sickness has never turned her mean. She continues to love in her feral way. How could we betray that trust? How could we refuse that love? Sure, some will say she’s just a cat. But caring for her has taught us how patience and perseverance are as much a part of love as joy and affection.
We’re so glad she’s back!
