Everyone, Meet Burt!

If you follow my Instagram account or are friends with me in Facebook, aside from my work, or me twisting into knots, or inverted on a pole, I post my little critter friends, particularly cats and most especially, the cat we adopted two years ago, Candy (who turned out to be a boy, so he's actually a he) and from that skinny poor cat he became this fat squishable fluffy huge giant cat:

We've been considering getting another kitten so Candy won't be too lonely when we're out and also to give him a playmate so he can have a bit of exercise. A kitten would be good so he won't get intimidated and knowing he's a gentle giant, he won't physically be brutal to the kitten. I believe though that the perfect opportunity will come up, just like what Candy did, how he turned to be the perfect and low-maintenance well-behaved cat he is now.

A few months earlier, one of our usual stray friends, Princess (we theorized to be Candy's little sister) passed away and left behind her newborn kittens. We originally wanted an orange female kitten as our next one and among the five kittens in her litter, adopted one and named her Nutmeg. They were probably about a week old. However, a sad twist of fate happened. Nutmeg passed away a few days after we adopted her. Apparently, she had an anatomical condition that made her unable to poop. It was a very sad day for us when we buried our little girl. We were offered to adopt her other sister instead but we thought we'd wait out for a stronger kitten. Nutmeg's sister eventually got adopted though by another family.

We miss you Nutmeg, run free to the Rainbow Bridge.

The weeks following Nutmeg's passing was difficult and although I had lots of engagements that time, it was hard to accept that our little Nutmeg was gone. A lot told me, even cat experts and vets said that orphaned kittens barely 2 months old have very low risk of survival, since they have not been weaned properly and some may even be born with anatomical defects. Deep in me, I knew that there will be a kitten that would be perfect for adoption, just don't know when. I even went to a phase where I would have the urge to pluck a cute orange kitten off the streets. Of course, that would be like doing a rebound, so I had to restrain myself. Maybe a kitten would just walk our way.

Quite amusingly, that's exactly how it happened a month later. I was buying food at the neighborhood store when I saw a kitten pass by. It wasn't orange though but when I went near the kitten and reached out my hand, it didn't hesitate and allowed me to pet him (yep, it's a boy). I had some food in my bag, which he ate although he wasn't much of a fan of kibble. He liked tuna though when I ran to the house to get some. Since that day was the eve of my birthday, I named the kitten Burt. Burt wasn't a female orange cat but he's a really sweet kitten who loves people and would really play with you. We bonded instantly. Every day, I'd meet him in his spot where I would have some food for him then we'd play. He allows me to carry and hug him.

At the back of my head, I was considering adopting Burt, but I wasn't so sure. Friends were telling me that he might be a good match for Candy since he's an older kitten plus he can put up a fight and won't easily be intimidated by Candy. I thought I'd keep him on probation first and see what happens. If I start falling in love with this cat, then it's a sign to go on. Well, I did. And one time, after our usual playtime, Burt followed me home, all the way inside our apartment. 

Of course Candy, being the cat who's been here longer, fought for dominance. It was funny because he would just try to be bigger and then whack Burt and then run away. There was no bleeding, just whacking, Burt hissing and peeing on himself. I thought of the first few days of Burt entering the house was bringing a regular playmate for Candy. I'd clean him up first and then I'd notice their interaction, then when it was time for me to go to work or somewhere, I'd let Burt out of the house and then when I would come home, I'd pick him up and bring him back home and clean him up. Whenever he's out, that would be the time that he would get to poop and pee. Candy also mellowed down on his attacks and from the looks of it, he just wanted to play.

There were no more Candy's tail fluffing up. He was actually becoming more playful. Burt would hide at the bottom of the couch though. It's still a week though but now the two boys can be in the same place without trying to whack each other's butts. We would still let Burt out during the day when we're out but when I get home he's right by the place where I meet him and I'd carry him back home. Since the past few nights have been raining, we let Burt sleep in our house, where it's dry and warm. Burt was still on probationary status but we were enjoying his cuddles and hugs. If he would go out though, we would have to clean and wash him up thoroughly. 

Cat catchers would mysteriously show up in our condo complex (they're really not into TNR and me and my cat-friendly neighbors have gotten memos re feeding cats) as I've noticed that some of our kitty stray friends have been disappearing. Fearful that the same fate would happen to Burt, we had Burt stay 100% indoors to keep him safe. Then, as we all fell in love with Burt, we decided to adopt him as our own. 

Candy still tries to catch Burt's attention though, even while Burt is doing his business. They're sharing litterbox though, since we have a huge one. We're hopeful that from being civil and Candy trying to be clingy and play, They would end up hugging and loving. They are both eating normal and fine, Burt with KMR and kibble and Candy has his special Urinary s/o diet. 

As a milestone, Burt already had his first bath and also his first visit to the vet. The doctors and handlers at VIP Mandaluyong found him super adorable. Burt is very healthy, just a bit thin since he's newly-rescued. He had his ears cleaned already and dewormed. He will be scheduled for shots soon by Dr. Richard, VIP's house call vet and would be neutered when he turns 6 months (currently, he's 3 months old) 

So officially, Burt is now our cat, and Candy's new little brother. He may not be the initial peg next cat for us being a gray and white cat but this little boy won our hearts. It may be because he followed me home, or he snuggled up to me as I was reading. It may be that both cats still function normally eating and drinking the same. Or my anxiety when I'd let him out that finally made Burt our third cat. Nutmeg will still be his big sister, now an angel watching over her pet parents, big brother, and little brother. 

Expect a lot more fun and furbabies in my future posts, and a kitteh or two sneaking in my photos.

A Cat Rescue Story

As you all know I'm a proud and self-confessed cat lady and animal lover. I feed cats and I'm kept company by the neighborhood kitty friends. I keep kibble in my bag to feed strays who come my way. Let me tell you a story on a rescue mission we did on a cat that went through horrible things.

While I was pole-ling, the hubby got home with a worried look. He told me if he knew the situation that was going on outside. I said I didn't since the music was loud and I didn't hear any unusual noises. Turns out that on his way to our unit from the parking, he saw our kitty friend Chompy "meowing" at another cat. It was a gray tabby cat that looked like our other kitty friend, Jessie. This cat that looked like Jessie had deep gashes all over its body and it was severely wounded and it had a difficult time walking. The cat appeared to be malnourished and thin. At first, we both thought that Chompy and the cat had a fight. However, a neighbor who also saw both cats told us that the cats weren't fighting and in fact, Chompy was sort of "conversing" with the wounded cat. Besides, with the wounds of the cat, it could not have possibly been attacked by another cat. The wounds were so severe that you could see the intestines and internal organs. I couldn't look at it but then I decided that we had to do something.

A witness told us that he was walking that day when he saw the cat bound with plastic straw. It was bound so tight that it couldn't move and it was in obvious pain. That witness took pity and cut the string so the cat would be free. But the bounds weren't what just kept the cat in pain. It had wounds all over its body. The wounds were deep that some organs could be seen. The hind leg seemed like it was fractured then healed on its own but it didn't heel the right way so it's sort of bent. With all the traumatizing things, the cat cowered at people and it hid at the backyard. Two of our neighbors kept it company and tried to give it assurance that we were there to help it. (I do apologize that due to the high stress level at this time, I wasn't able to take photos for documentation as you'll see later why).

Since I was also online in Facebook, I immediately changed my status message asking for medical help for the cat. Since it was around 8:30 p.m., it was probably the time that people were winding down from Facebooking or being in front of the computer the whole day or trying to go to bed. I began calling my friends who I know have cats for pets who could tell me what to do. I called Arpee and he advised me to call CARA Welfare Philippines since they have experts who could help us in animal rescue. I checked their website and called their hotlines. Hubby also left a message in the voicemail, since it was off office hours probably.

I still continued contacting people. I googled vets near in the area. I also contacted friends who might know people involved with CARAPHIL or other animal welfare groups. Definitely the cat needed medical care and it's best to seek advice on how to handle this from the experts. We didn't have proper catching equipment since the cat has wedged itself further in its hiding place. Any DIY attempts we do could stress the cat and besides we didn't have a cage to keep it in. Finally, we were able to contact Reb and Tanya of CARAPHIL (thanks Gail and CD for giving us their contact info!) and they were able to direct us as to what to do. Basically, what we needed was to get the cat to be easily and safely transported for medical care. Fortunately, Reb sent me the contact information of Ms. Nancy Cu Unjieng, the president of CARA Welfare Philippines. She had her staff come over the house and safely catch the cat using a cat net. They put the cat in a cage, and we took her to the vet.

The cat was attended by Dr. Dan, the doctor taking the night shift. According to him, the gashes of the cats weren't fresh, so it could have been there before the cat was bound tightly (so the cat was mutilated then bound? how bad could her torturer be?). According to Dr. Dan, the cat would have to be confined and observed.

Kitty in the hospital, Day 1. Don't worry lil one, you'll be okay. See the leg that juts straight out? that's her injured leg. It fractured then healed on its own but without proper alignment.

While at work this afternoon, I was contacted by Dr. Riza, the surgeon. She gave me updates on the cat. As of the moment, she's responsive and she's been given antibiotics and dextrose and her wounds taken care of. Since the cat's in pain, it was difficult to examine her wounds while she's conscious. She would have to be sedated so that the wounds could be examined carefully and see what could be done. Her surgery would be tomorrow. I asked about the blood tests. She said that all results are within normal limits except for elevated white blood cells, which meant that the cat had an infection.

After work, we visited the cat to check on her. We found out that she's a girl. She doesn't have a name yet, though. She hasn't pooped or peed yet judging from the medical records. She was awake when we visited her.

Actually, if you do look at her, she's a very pretty cat. She's got long whiskers and expressive eyes. Her meow is really pretty though. And it's just adorable that when I do my "meow", she meows back. Her meow seemed polite and enunciated well. This cat seemed to be a proper aristocratic lady . Being alive despite the injuries, I could tell that this is one fiesty kitty who could still put up a fight.

She's been in that position all day since she's still in pain.

She must be scared of people because sometimes the doctor told me she hisses when approached.

From how it looks like, our kitty friend seems to be putting up a good fight. I don't expect her to be up and running the following day. We're taking baby steps but we're both hopeful that she'll be okay. Cats are hardy animals and this little one has been on the street for most of her life so I'm getting my hopes up high that she's gonna be in a good fight.

It breaks my heart that there are people who actually torture animals and subject them to all sorts of cruelty. I wasn't able to look at her wounds when she was found due to my weak stomach but the hubby and the neighbors told me it was really severe. here are some people who aren't fans of animals but if that were the case, it's best that we let the animal be instead of subjecting it to torture and mutilation. This cat had undergone all sorts of torture - it was starved, fractured, mutilated, and bound and strangled and left to die.

But with the presence of those who torture innocent animals in our community, I'm glad that we were with people with compassion towards them who helped us somewhat in helping the cat. Hope that someday, animal welfare awareness could be encouraged.

To those who have helped us bring the cat to recovery, Thank you very much. We'll constantly update everyone with regards to the cat's condition. We're currently looking for a family who would love to adopt the cat as their own when she gets better.