I'd really appreciate some feedback on this.  Earlier this week I got a call from a client with a very ill cat.  I won't go into too much detail as I don't want to breach confidentiality but basically the client's an 80 year old lady.  She lives alone in sheltered housing and has no family.  She adopted the cat a few years ago and I understand that he wasn't terribly well cared for by his previous owner.  She didn't know his exact age but I'd guess he was at least 16 or 17, possibly older.  Anyway, he certainly fell on his feet in his final years - this lady gave him a wonderful life and he was one of the sweetest natured cats I've come across.  We went on a home visit as the lady (I'll call her Mrs Smith) is pretty much housebound, and when examining him there I couldn't actually hear his chest because he was purring so much!  His abdomen was very distended so we took him back to the surgery and hospitalised him.  I don't think I've ever wished so much for a happy outcome, sadly his abdomen was filled with fluid.  Once we'd drained that, rads showed a huge abdominal mass; completely inoperable.  The following day the ascites returned and the owner made the decision to put him to sleep.  It was very brave of her as we probably could have kept him going for a few weeks but she said she didn't want to see him deteriorate when ultimately there was no hope.  We took him back to her flat so she could say goodbye and be with him at the end (for which we didn't charge; I hope my boss doesn't read this).  Euthanasia is never enjoyable but relatively speaking it was as nice as possible.  He was curled up in his favourite place and slipped away very peacefully.

Whenever I have to put a pet to sleep I try to treat the pet as I would my own, whether or not the owner elects to stay with them.  While I understand how upsetting it is and have every sympathy with the owner, out of necessity I've had to learn a certain emotional detachment; otherwise I'd be in a mental institution.  However something about this case really got to me.  Mrs Smith was so brave but it was clear that her pet was the centre of her world.  She said that she'd been advised against taking on an elderly cat; her reason was "Nobody wants either of us so we're well suited."  I said that I thought it was wonderful that she made his final years so happy, and that he couldn't have asked for a better, more loving owner.  I say that quite often and though I always mean it, in this case it was especially true.  Extremely unprofessional behaviour it might be, but it was all I could do not to break down in tears in front of Mrs Smith.

I can't bear to think of her alone in that flat, yet when I suggested that perhaps she should think about getting another cat she said she couldn't bear it.  I said she didn't have to get an old cat but maybe a 3 or 4 year old in need of a home.  She said she was afraid to do that as she would worry about what would happen to the cat if she died.  I can understand that and of course it's a possibility but until a couple of years ago Mrs Smith lived with her mother, who died aged 102.  She certainly doesn't look as though she's going anywhere any time soon.  It breaks my heart that she could be all alone for 20-odd years.  She'd give a stray the best home imaginable and I have no doubt a pet would make her life far less lonely.

It's not that common but perhaps every month or so I end up with a stray, or a cat the owner can no longer look after, or one that's looking for a home because the owner is moving abroad, etc.  I usually call Battersea and they come and collect it.  Now I don't want to meddle with people's lives or behave in an unprofessional manner, but it has occurred to me that the next time I'm landed with a reasonably young, healthy, friendly lap cat, perhaps I could call Mrs Smith and say "This cat really needs a home and I thought of you.  Don't worry at all if you can't take on another pet, I can easily find someone else.  It's just that you're such a wonderful owner and I think this cat is perfect for you."  I would promise that if anything were to happen to Mrs Smith I would ensure the cat went to a loving home, and if I couldn't find one it would have a permanent place in my house.

Sorry for this rambling post, it's just that something about this has really affected me and I honestly believe a pet would make this old woman's life infinitely better.  Should I try to coax her into adopting another pet, on the understanding that I'd take responsibility for it if necessary, or should I leave things well alone?  I would appreciate anyone's opinions - my grandparents all died either before I was born or when I was very young so I don't have much experience with elderly people.  Although Mrs Smith is 80 she's as sharp as a knife and I don't want to come across as patronising or overbearing.  I just feel so sorry for her and I hope I can do something to make things better.

One positive thing to come out of this is that I've got organised and Cashie is going to be assessed as a potential PAT (Pets As Therapy) dog.  It's something I've been thinking about for some time as it seems a very worthwhile thing to do and I think Cashie might be ideal (after all, he must have some purpose!)  I do hope he passes and I'm a little nervous on his behalf.  I'd be surprised if he wasn't suitable as he's very calm, doesn't jump up or pull on his lead, doesn't snatch when offered a treat, has never to my knowledge shown any sign of aggression and is almost too well socialised, i.e. treats complete strangers like long-lost friends!  He gave a warm welcome even to the people who broke into my flat in the middle of the night!  He doesn't care in the slightest about people handling his ears, tail, feet, etc.  I'm actually able to descale his teeth when he's fully conscious, though admittedly he does sulk afterwards.  He's most happy when on someone's knee or sitting next to them on a sofa while they stroke him and sing "The Cashie Song" (don't even ask!)  The only element of the test which concerns me is that PAT dogs shouldn't paw anyone.  He doesn't do that as a rule but if someone has some chocolate or chips, it's not unknown for Cashie to sit in front of them looking mournful before gently placing a paw on their knee!  Hopefully the assessor won't offer him a McDonald's...

Anyway, I digress.  I would be grateful for any feedback on Mrs Smith's situation

Thanks

Mary-Caroline

Oh yes definitely :)  I hope you do end up with another rescue and can persuade 'Mrs Smith' to take it.

what a moving story ....and how lovely of you to want to help . My feeling is that as long as you are 100% positive that you can either keep the cat yourself or find it another good home if Mrs Smith dies, then go ahead and offer her another cat . Loneliness is a terrible thing and I'm sure that once the grief of losing her much loved pet has eased a little she would be grateful for the chance to share her life with another unwanted cat.
:)

Yvonne

The Cinnamon Trust is an organisation well worth remembering: http://www.cinnamon.org.uk

What is the Cinnamon Trust?

"Cinnamon Trust is the only specialist national charity which seeks to relieve the anxieties, problems, and sometimes injustices, faced by elderly and terminally ill people and their pets, thereby saving a great deal of human sadness and animal suffering"

Something else worth remember for those of you that volunteer at Rescue Homes etc, is that The Cinnamon Trust seek volunteers (for example to walk dogs) so that the animals can remain with the owners in their own homes for as long as is practical. A very worthwhile organisation I think you will agree :)

My Nan who is approaching 90yo this year idolises her cat.
Her cat is 10yo now.

Tiffy the cat was the one thing that kept Nan going when she
was hospitalised for 2 weeks. At one stage we thought we were
going to lose my Nan but she kept going for her cat...
(We lost my Granddad many years ago and although Dad lives with my Nan,
she hasn't had any company or much company during the day over the years
Granddad has been gone).

As other poster has said if you can reassure 'Mrs Smith' that you will take responsibility
for her cat after she goes to find a special home etc then I'm sure in her heart she'd
jump at having another companion.

The only thing that she may be worried about, is the vets bills - perhaps she's used up alot
of her savings? I know recently near last Christmas Tiffy had a £300 vet bill as she was attacked
and bitten by something which caused a large infection in her leg. Tiffy isn't insured but my Dad
after much 'moaning':rolleyes: picked up the tab.

Thanks for your replies, I found them very reassuring.  If anything were to happen to Mrs Smith I would keep my promise no matter what.  I have some fantastic clients and I'm reasonably sure I wouldn't have a problem rehoming a cat but if I couldn't find someone suitable I would look after it permanently.  Cashie would be over the moon; Baggy, my last cat died just before Christmas aged 19, he was old, fat, grumpy and left orange hair everywhere but Cashie really seems to miss him.

The veterinary bills are something I hadn't considered.  As far as I can tell Mrs Smith is reasonably well off.  One can never tell but she lives in a fairly expensive part of London and the cost of the treatment wasn't even mentioned.  We charged only for the actual consumables used; not for surgery time, home visits, euthanasia and cremation etc. (Really hope my boss isn't reading this!)  I felt bad charging anything at all, none of the staff minded giving their time for free but there's really no way round charging for drugs as they don't belong to us.  Although I want to help I don't want to be fired for gross misconduct!  If I manage to find a cat for Mrs Smith I shall advise her to get insurance.  In this particular case, I don't think anyone will bother too much if I vaccinate, deflea and worm the cat before handing it over.  If the practice manager queries it I'll point out how much overtime I do which I always forget to tell him about!  I'm sure it more than covers the price of a couple of vaccines.

If the worst came to the worst and the cat broke a leg, or got a blocked bladder or something, the RSPCA Harmsworth hospital is only up the road and I'd be happy to take him there.  Failing that, my best friend is a vet.  He works for a different company in South London but as I live above a surgery we could deal with most problems if needed.  If I explained things he'd treat the cat, as long as I bought him a few beers (after surgery!  He claims to be even more emotionally detached than me (this case is obviously an exception).  However when a stray was dumped at his previous surgery, despite it having numerous injuries after an RTA, being diabetic, missing half a tail and having a fairly unpleasant nature, he didn't have the heart to PTS.  The cat is now more or less fixed up though he looks a bit wonky, and living in my friend's flat! 

I know that veterinary surgeries and their staff get a hard time on this board sometimes (quite rightly, in some cases).  There are some crooks out there but honestly, we're not all heartless rip-off merchants!  Every person in my practice offered their time for free, without being asked, and there are quite a few pensioners who benefit from various samples we persuade drug reps to give us!  I'm sure Bayer won't go bankrupt for a few boxes of flea treatment!

I shall wait a month or so then start looking out for a sweet little cat.  I hope I can persuade Mrs Smith to take one on.  If I was really sneaky I could always say it was just for a couple of months, and see how it goes!?

I was nearly in tears reading this. Yes I agree with everyone else offer her a cat.

Good luck with you PAT test, it is a very worthwhile thing. We used to go to a residential home and high dependecy hospital for those who were unable to do anything for themselves after accidents etc. One guy there was the same age as me and covered in tubes etc and would be for the rest of his life. In his late twenties!!! I think I was shocked at what life was like for him as I had also been in a serious car accident and although badly injured I was able to continue life. Well he never smiled or anything but we used to place his hand on Brooke's head and he would move his eyes. She would stand up on the bed or wheelchair and he would look which was great. Anyway one day I took in River instead and he looked at her and smiled. The staff were over the moon having never had that reaction before and it was great to see. It is a very rewarding thing to do and even in the residential homes there were residents who seldom spoke to staff and other residents but would chat for ages to me because I had  a dog. We used to go for an hour and still be there 2 hrs later.

(through ALOT of tears :( ) DEFINTALLY the next time you get a nice cat in....Mrs smith is having it!! ok!!!

Most definitely - I agree with all the other posters here.

Years and years ago when I was breeding LHs, I had one little girl who lost her first litter, and then had to have a ceasarian with the 2nd - and I asked the vet to spay her at the same time (I'd only ever have 3 litters from a cat or dog, and thought she'd gone through enough trauma).    She then seemed to be picked on and bullied by my other girls, and I rehomed her - to my Dad's sheltererd accomodation complex - although nominally my Dad's, she would sit for most of the day in Reception, accompany all visitors to their destinations and was much petted and fussed by all the old ladies and gents who lived there.  When my dad died in 1992, I was asked not to take Carrie away, as she was loved too much - and for the next 10 years, I'd receive a Christmas card from "Carrie and friends", and she died, aged 16 - not a bad age for a persian, who probably, at the end, was fed far too much!

Margot

Although not old(he's younger than me)my disabled cousin has two cat protection ex feral cats & should anything happen to him they will go back to the CPL if his family can't take them, I would try to persuade her as cats are briliant companions for the not so fit & rescue cats on the whole pay back their rescuers many times. A PAt visit is a brilliant idea too & could persuade her into having another purring friend

Been there.  Got the T-shirt! :)

I would keep in touch with her - some clients always become more than just clients without actually becoming friends!  Tell her stories about the animals that you see in the surgery, and then when one really needs a good home - the sort of home that she could offer to the pooooooor cat, I'm sure that she'll oblige! :D

I was just wondering if places like Many Tears do the fostering schemes for cats like they do for dogs - maybe she could foster and then she would know that it could go back if things became difficult.

Maxine

Perhaps you could suggest that you share the cat - Mrs Smith looks after it while she is able to and if at a future date she is no longer able to do so you would ensure that the cat has a wonderful new home to go to.

It's so nice to read such a caring post as yours. :)

I agree with everyone else.  If Mrs Smith is assured that the cat will be looked after if/ when she is no longer able, I think she would probably be delighted to have a new companion.

I have worked a lot with elderly people in my job (generally visiting them in their own home) and I have seen time and time again the positive impact a pet can have :) 

Margot I loved your story about Carrie.  I think it's a wonderful life for a sociable animal.  When I leave Cashie at home (I don't work in the surgery where I live) he spends most of the day on a blanket in the waiting room being petted by clients!  He loves the attention and I don't worry about him getting bored or lonely.

I think I'll take him to see Mrs Smith on Monday to see how she is.  In a way I'm glad that such a sad situation has the power to move me this much.  I remember the first euthanasia I ever did, an old cat called Blackie, and afterwards I cried for hours.  It's not that I don't care or that it's just routine but now I understand that preventing suffering is an essential part of our job.  I think one reason this case has had such an impact is just how brave Mrs Smith was.  Though the tumour was huge and definitely inoperable with fluids and steroids we probably could have kept him going for a few weeks.  That would have given her more time to say goodbye and accept the situation.  That cat was all she had, and still she had the courage to act in his best interests.  She said "He's not going to get any better.  It would be selfish to keep him alive and watch him get worse every day."  She did ask how long he might have and as soon as she heard it would probably be only a few weeks she said "I don't want him to be in any pain, do it now so he doesn't have to go through that."  There are so many owners who hang on, hoping for a miracle, and while I understand it's an awful situation, I hate seeing animals with no quality of life.  Dogs which can't stand, are incontinent, blind, deaf, etc.  I don't think that's any sort of life. 

Often cat owners are worse.  They don't bring in their pets because they want them to die naturally at home.  I have no doubt that most of the time they think this is the kind option, there's no deliberate cruelty.  However the fact remains that it's rare for an animal to die peacefully in its sleep.  I see so many cats which are brought in only when they've collapsed; their skin is sticking to their bones, they haven't eaten for ten days, they're scalded because they've been lying in a puddle of urine.  It's hard enough for the owner; they don't need me telling them that their pet has basically starved to death and has suffered a great deal.  I don't exactly blame the owners but why don't people think?  When I consider how many young, strong people surrounded by family can't make this decision, I admire Mrs Smith even more.  I can't imagine how much courage it took to be so unselfish.  Thank goodness he wasn't scared or aggressive when we put him to sleep.  He was purring his head off and I don't think he even felt the needle.  I stayed for a while and had a chat, I told her that if all animals received so much love and care, I'd have a perfect job, which is absolutely true.

There's a charity called 9 Lives which specialises in rehoming older cats.  I did consider them as they pay all veterinary fees but though Mrs Smith is 80, she seems in pretty good health.  I don't think it would be fair to ask her to take on a 12 year old cat, only to go through this again in a couple of years.  I have a lot of friends working for other vet groups so I'll ask them to look out for a suitable cat.  I hope I can persuade her - it's a win-win situation.  Mrs Smith gets a companion, and a stray cat gets the best possible home!

I'll look into fostering but I feel that if I'm going to get involved in this, the responsibility should be mine.  There's also the fact that every charity I know does home checks on all prospective owners (though the Mayhew let me off when I adopted a cat a few years ago!)  Generally speaking, I agree with that policy but in this case I don't want Mrs Smith to feel as though she's being judged. 

Please, if anyone hears of a suitable cat then let me know.  I really hope I can do something for this lady.  The whole situation has made me think about how I treat other people and I'm going to do my best to be kinder in general.  I get into arguments about Big Brother, or tail docking, or how much I hate Jeremy Clarkson!  Not exactly life or death issues!  The next time I'm being so self indulgent I'll try to remember how lucky I am.  I'm going to try to start a trend where everyone does something nice every day.  If it catches on I'll probably be grateful when I'm old and have only a couple of whippets for company!

Mary-Caroline, I think you're a wonderful person and it's a lovely thing that you'd be doing for 'Mrs Smith'.  I'm sure knowing that you would take the cat if anything were to happen would relieve some of the doubt in her mind.  I really hope you find her a lovely cat to share her days with.  Good luck.

Simone

I think you're being wonderful! :) What location are you in? I can keep my ears open for any cat needing a home. (I assume a Persian would involve too much grooming for the old lady, otherwise I have one she could have, but I often hear of moggies needing homes.)

My grandparents lost their Papillon in 1979, and instantly said they were too old to get another dog as they might die before it. My mother and I both said if they got a new dog and died before him, WE would take care of it, guaranteed. But they didn't get one, and missed their dog so incredibly much for the rest of their lives. Never stopped missing him and talking about him. They both died in 1999 so could have had another 20 years of dog ownership. :(

Mary Caroline - your post has done two lots of good now.  As a result of this thread I have just printed off a volunteer form for the cinammon trust so hopefully will be accepted!  I would love another dog myself but as nobody likes to let working people have them that wont happen so if I can walk somebody elses, do the vet runs or whatever that would be just as nice...

Very inspiring - I'm ashamed to say I've never done any voluntary work before always too busy working full time and looking after my two kids, but this I know I can fit in......

Maxine

If I new how to get smileys I would put one on here...... 

Mary-Caroline, your post really moved me to tears. You sound such a nice, caring person. I say go for it :)

Dee

Thank you, everyone, for your messages.  I can't tell you how touched I am by your responses.  I'm so pleased to receive such support and now feel much more confident that I'm doing the right thing.  As I said I've never had a lot of contact with elderly people.  It's so sad that in our supposedly civilised society there are people frightened and lonely with very little support.  A couple of years ago I went on a visit to see a cat which belonged to a couple in their 80s.  There wasn't much wrong with it, I think it had fleas or something.  That visit sticks in my mind because I happened to be there at the same time as a social worker who treated them in a horrific way.  They were rather frail but mentally fine.  This woman, who was supposed to be providing support, was so rude.  She interrupted them, finished their sentences, spoke about them to me as though they weren't there and just humiliated them as much as possible.  After she said to me they should have their cat put to sleep as "they can't even look after themselves" I ignored her and spoke to the clients.  Why the hell she decided to become a social worker I can't imagine.  The husband had lots of WWII medals in a cabinet; I thought "this man went to war for our country - the least we could do is show some respect and kindness."  I was so shocked by the social worker's attitude I called my mother!  When I was small she was a social worker though she's now done a PhD and is a director of some sort.  She was disgusted and promised to investigate things as that behaviour is gross misconduct.  Unfortunately I don't know what happened as it's all confidential.    I'm going to have to make sure Mrs Smith's story has a happy ending now! ;-) 

Marianne - I'm in NW London.  I do think a long-haired cat would be a bit much but if you come across any short-haired moggies please let me know.  I think a perfect match would be 3-6 years old, very placid and a real lap cat.  I don't think sex matters as long as it's neutered.  Colour probably doesn't really matter either, her last cat was tabby and white but the only really important thing is temperament.  I'm not too keen on tortoiseshells as they're often rather highly strung (naughty torties is our highly scientific term!)  I'm reluctant to list too many specifications as many people who go to a rescue centre with a very definite idea about their ideal pet come home with an animal which is exactly the opposite!  Cashie plays with a dog in the park named Daphne.  Her owners had been burgled three times in a year and the police advised them to get a big dog, not to hurt anyone but which would make lots of noise and warn off burglars.  They wanted a dog anyway so went down to Battersea only to return with Daphne.  I have absolutely no idea how many different breeds play a part in her makeup - she has a foxlike head, a GSD tail, a silky coat and is about eight inches high!  Not your typical watchdog, though she makes a lot of noise for such a small dog.  Anyway, I'm straying off-topic.  I'm sure the right cat will come along sooner or later, they have an uncanny knack of landing on the right doorstep!

Maxine - I too have downloaded a volunteer form for the Cinnamon Trust.  I hadn't heard of them before now and it sounds such a worthwhile cause.  Perhaps our paths will cross - I see you're also in London?  If you really want a dog I can offer you a whippet.  He looks a bit green around the gills as he's just eaten half a pound of butter!:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:  Just when I was telling you all what a good boy he is - typical!  I'm not sure how much use I'll be to the Cinnamon Trust as I'm only really available at weekends and I don't have a car.  However I'd be happy to foster cats short-term and at the very least I can advertise the Trust in the surgery and have a collection tin at reception.

Before I get completely carried away with notions of my own saintliness I should confess that there's one client I'm in no hurry to visit.  Another old lady who couldn't give her cat a Drontal.  She lives literally a five minute walk from the surgery.  I nipped round at lunchtime as while the boss would consider that a home visit, I'm not charging a pensioner £70 for giving a cat a tablet.  I though "nobody has to know, and I can do what I like on my lunch break."  I got there and picked up this tiny cat which immediately went absolutely crazy.  Most cats just try to get away but this one was actually attacking me!  It shot out the catflap and I went back to work dripping blood.  So much for my stealth mission - I spent the rest of the day in the Royal Free Hospital and couldn't use my right arm for a week!  That particular cat can stay unwormed for the rest of its life!

I shall keep you all updated on Mrs Smith.  Thank you again for such positive comments.

Mary-Caroline

Hi

reading this with tears in eyes as I know how hard it is when you lose a pet.

But also looking at it from Mrs Smiths side.

There is a very elderly gent who lives near me. Up till recently he had a very elderly dog. They went every were together and I always met them on my walks. The old dog died and the old man still went out on his walks because he didnt want to give up and become house bound. I asked him if he would like another dog. He said no because he was going to die soon and didnt want to leave his pet homeless. I suggested maybe another oldie and he said he had thought about it but he just knew he could not cope with another death of a much loved pet. He said the grief of  losing them is worse than the lonleness.

If Mrs Smith is in residential care  wonder if the actuall home would be interested in a pet that every one can share. She can then get the benefit but not the worry about what will happen to it when she goes, Sorry not a nice way of putting it but is there ever a nice way.

Just a thought

Wendy

You are very perceptive MC, if you dont know much about older people.
I have always worked with them and the one thing I have learned is that growing old is not for the faint hearted.
The strength of character required to age is something I marvel at, and for someone to come along like you who can offer her comfort and the knowledge that she wont have to worry 'should any thing happen to her' is faaantastic.
Karen  :-)

I think you should ring her too  when you get a cat suitable.
Although I am not elderly :rolleyes:I have an older cat Cleo is 24 & 1/2 now and spends 97% of her day asleep yet she is excellent company and you don't feel such a "oddbod" when talking to the cat. An animal means you have to get up, carry on. So I would say make the call, and maybe drop her a card in to express your sympathies it means a lot when you have lost an animal. I know it did to me when Cleo's brother Oscar was PTS aged 23.

Karen

How lovely.  What a lovely thread.

My mum is 86 and is about to lose her lab who is now 14.  She walks him twice a day and I don't like to think of her without a pet.  I'd be very touched if someone as lovely as you did something as lovely as that for someone I knew.

Thanks.

My Mum is 81 and kept a dog until a few years ago.  She also adopted a stray cat that never came into the house but she cared for it all the same.  Now she lives in a flat where she can't keep a pet.  I know that she gets down a lot of the time and when she comes to stay with me she really enjoys my dog.  Keep your contact up with this lady - I am sure owning a new cat will give her a sense of purpose and company that folks need at that age - especially as you say she is on her own.  I do hope if she is fit and well that she takes on another pet - Good luck

Mrs Smith sounds a lovely lady, and no doubt she gave the cat a most wonderful home. I would just have some reservations until I knew her and her circumstances better before I offered her another cat. It may well be that losing that cat upset her more than you could know, being elderly and of the stiff upper lip age, she may not have showed that to you, and she may find it to distressing to have another cat. Not so much the having, but the losing, and to be honest, at that age she wouldn't admit to low financies because her age group didn't talk of such things, she would simply not have certain things for herslf to compensate. Could you maybe visit her, befriend her, and judge to see if having another cat is what she really wants, before she feels under presure to have another? If you went to her saying you have one, and it needs a home, and should something happen to her you could take it, she may feel unable to refuse. Although she looks in good health, you don't know her medical history, she could be suffering from something to which you are unaware, which could also make her unsure as to having another cat. She may also be under some presure from her family not to have another, perhaps if you know who they are it may be a good idea to approach them first, to see what they think of the idea?

Before I did anything else, I would go to see her, just to see how she is getting on, and see if she offers you in for a chat and a cuppa. Then see how it goes. What you did for her was wonderful and so caring, and I bet she will look forward to your visits.

Result!

To keep you all updated, I've been popping in to see Mrs Smith over the last couple of months with Cashie, who would live there if he could as there's a neverending supply of digestive biscuits!  I got to know a bit more about her situation and sadly she has no family; her husband died many years ago and they never had children.  She's not rich by any stretch of the imagination but she's not struggling along on a state pension either; she's reasonably comfortable.

Two weeks ago we had a cat handed in with no collar and no microchip.  She's clearly been a pet at some point as she has the sweetest nature imaginable but she looked as though she'd been on the street for a fair time; she was pretty thin and absolutely crawling with fleas, and had numerous cuts and bites, some of which were quite old.  She's a shorthaired black and white moggy, probably about 5 or so, with no problems a bit of TLC wouldn't cure. 

I kept her for a week to see if anyone would call to claim her but nobody came forward.  After that I called Mrs Smith and told her about the cat.  I said there was absolutely no pressure and if she still felt she didn't want to take on another cat I could follow normal procedure and call Battersea - they'd have no problem rehoming this one.  However she said she'd been missing her old cat so much it was unbearable so I suggested they tried for a week to see how they got along together.  I went along last night after work and the change in them both is unreal.  Mrs Smith is so animated and seems so much more content; she told me all about all the little personality quirks she's noticed already.  As for the cat, she seems to have put on about a kilo in a week and practically lives on Mrs Smith's knee, sleeping on her bed at night.  Her coat is shiny, she has lots of new toys to play with and adores all the attention.

I spoke to Mrs Smith and said that while there's every chance she could live to 100, if anything should happen to her or she becomes incapacitated then the cat will live the rest of its life with me.  Before I handed the cat, or Suki, as she's now known, over, I tested her for FIV/FeLV, vaccinated her, de-flead her, wormed her, microchipped her, etc.  Obviously I'm still not sure if she's spayed though I suspect she is - she doesn't have that look which suggests she's had lots of litters of kittens, however if not then obviously I'll do that too.  I considered what some of the posters had said about the possible worry of vet fees so I had a word with the local representative of a cat charity (who owes me a favour!) and explained the situation and they've agreed to pick up the bill, should she require any extensive veterinary attention, though she seems perfectly healthy.

I'm so happy with this outcome, I really think it'll be a new lease of life for them both.

So pleased for you both (or should I say the 3 of you ;) ) I'm sitting trying to see the keyboard for tears as I type. Not easy, as I wear glasses that have a pool of water on them :) It's so nice to have a happy ending :D

Fan bloody tastic!! :D  Well done Mary-Caroline! :D 

Being a Veterinary Nurse has many good days as well as the occassional bad one. ;)

That is so great to hear :)

Marvelous!!!!

An animal enjoying the life it deserves with a loving owner. Result!

Brilliant, I was only thinking of this storey the other day :D :D :D
That is wonderful tyo wake up to on Easter morning :) :) :)
Lea :)

Brilliant result for them both, :-D

I miss my cats dreadfully, but at least I have my dogs. Since I lost my cats it wasn't right for me to have another, but now I am seriously considering another later this year.

Fantastic news

Sounds like they are a match made in heaven and little Suki has well and truly landed on her paws :)

This is really good news, so pleased for the lady and the cat. Well done you! :)

Oh very very well done MC, great news :) :)

:::where are the tissues...sniff sniff

What a fantastic result all round. Mary-Caroline, you are a wonderful person, so many would have thought , ' oh that's a shame' then forgotten all about it, but you seem to have thought of and covered all eventualities. An uplifting post for Easter Sunday! :-)
Marion

wow! im crying!!!! so happy!

AWWW! that's so good to hear, I was hoping she'd change her mind as life can be so lonely without company.

You've made 2 people (one 2 legged and one 4 legged) very happy :) :) :)

Chuffed to little apples for you all