Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Rescue & Rehoming => Cat/s Needing Homes => Sorted/ Unknown outcomes => Topic started by: Ramona on November 08, 2012, 08:06:13 AM
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I hope you can help:
My neighbour has a special needs cat that needs rehoming. He was one of a litter of three, I had one of them and my friend kept two. He was born with hydrocephalus (water on the brain) and even though it did not continue to develop, he does have issues. Physical issues are that when he walks, his paws ‘fold over’ at the joint but it does not cause him any discomfort, he runs around and jumps like a mad cat. He goes outside but they do have a closed-in garden, I’m not sure he could cope with open plan as he tends to get himself stuck in trees etc when not supervised.
The main problem is that whatever they tried, they cannot house train him. Tried all tricks of the trade including different trays, litter, outside etc. He also does not always groom himself, so needs brushing even tho he’s a normal short haired house cat.
My friend struggles to cope with him as they have three kids, three dogs and two cats! She has spoken to her local vet, who said the only option would be to have him put down as they wouldn’t be able to re-home him. The problem with that is that despite his problems, he’s an otherwise healthy and happy cat, he is probably the most loving and fussy cat I’ve ever met and I’m sure he would make someone a good pet who can maybe spend more time and attention on him.
Does anybody have any ideas where we could turn to in order to get him rehomed?!
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Sorry, probably should give some more helpful details:
Mittens is 1 1/2 years old and now lives in Halesowen, just outside Birmingham. He has been neutered.
And here's a picture of the handsome boy:
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Hi Ramona
Isn't he a splendid looking little guy? He sounds a very plucky cat in spite of his disability, and you've picked a good place to spread the word about him being up for re-homing. Am not in a position to offer the kind of home this loving little chap needs, but am sure certain feelers may be put out when people read of her plight. Putting Mittens to sleep would be such a shame, and I'm sure some sort of compromise can be reached to enable him to have a good quality of life where the soiling won't be an issue.
Is the inappropriate soiling a case of missing the litter tray, or toileting at different (random) places in the house? It might help potential re-homers to know this, when considering options for a home environment. Somewhere without children may be more appropriate.
What area of the country is Mittens in at the moment?
(Hello Mittens - you're a very handsome little fellow, and no mistake ;D :welcome:)
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Oh gosh, he is handsome isn't he :Luv: I'm not in a position to be able to take him on but I hope someone can be found.
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Hi,
I think I'd be interested in adopting Mittens.
A few months ago I sent out emails to a bunch of animal rescue organisations and animal-minded people looking for a disabled kitty companion for my disabled cat Church.
We adopted a blind kitty called Tetley to keep him company. Two weeks later, out of no where, Church started deteriorating. He was in such pain. We took him to the vet today, and he went to sleep.
Someone must have got my email late because they sent me a link to your post a few days ago. I just opened it today and I know it sounds nuts but it almost feels like fate.
Mittens looks a little like Church. He was born brain damaged, he couldn't be toilet trained either, we was wobbly, he was strange, he had his own noises that he made instead of meows. He was completely dependent on us and looking after him took over our lives. We bottle fed him from five weeks of age, we had complete chaos organizing our schedules because we haven't left him alone in the house for more than half an hour since we got him, he slept in my arms every night, he was my baby, I loved him so, so much. He was an absolute nightmare but now there is this vast, vast hole in our lives.
We have a lot of experience with disabled cats, and we're willing to completely rearrange everything for our pets. We have two dogs who were amazing with Church and of course 3 month old Tetley, who is blind. I don't know if it's nuts to even be considering this so soon and I know, god I know, that no one will ever replace church, but I don't know, the email felt like a sign, and if Mittens is at risk of being put to sleep without a home then we want to save him.
The only problem is that we live in London, but maybe someone who travels between Birmingham and London could arrange transport?
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Firstly, very sorry to hear about you losing Church :( :hug: I think it's wonderful that you are considering taking on another special needs cat in his memory.
It seems that Ramona hasn't been online since a few days after her last post so it may be worth sending her a PM which should get an email notification in case she doesn't see this.
Fingers crossed for a happy ending for Mittens :)
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I am so sorry to hear about poor little Church and if you find you cant send a pm. let us know and we will do it for you :hug: :hug: :hug:
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A transport run can ALWAYS be arranged for a special boy like Mittens, subject to the appropriate home checks, of course. Just say the word.
So sorry to hear your sad news about Church. :'( He is now free to run and play at the bridge and you should be very proud of what you did for him. :hug:
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Thank you...that would be amazing of you.
I have managed to PM Ramona, but thank you, hopefully she checks this board.
I really don't know how to survive this.
Attached is a picture of my baby.
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I'm so sorry to hear about your loss :hug: What a handsome boy Church was.
I hope Ramona gets back to you.
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Church so beautiful :hug: :hug:
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What a lovely photo :Luv2: :hug:
Have you heard back from Ramona?
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Thank you...I don't know why but he really loved those Daisys, he'd sit in that exact place all the time and stick his face in them.
No nothing back yet :(
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I will send an email for you to her and hope he still needs a home :hug: :hug:
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I love the daisy on his head, that's the type of thing I would do!
Hopefully Ramona will see Gill's email - you sound perfect for each other :hug:
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Email just sent and have asked her to reply to your pms or my email :hug:
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Thank you so much.
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Someone just sent me an email about a disabled kitten that needs a home about ten minutes ago too. Someone trod on him when he was tiny and didn't get him any medical treatment :( Surely it would be nuts to consider adopting two special needs cats at once...especially so close to losing Church...but how can I say no?
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has anyone on here lost a cat before...i really just cant see how this will ever feel any better, i just want him back so badly
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Yes Rae most of us have and I lost my Ducha in August and his brother in May 11 and they both broke my heart and still have not got over Ducha (dooka).
When you can see the Purrs Birthday Roll of Honour........you have to move above kitten.......then you will see how many heart broken people mourn their lost friends on Purrs every year.
All we can offer is words and a shoulder to cry on and to say we understand and that in time, loads of time the pain eases but its a hard journey :hug: :hug:
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Hi Rae, So very sorry to hear about Church :hug: :hug: :hug: It is so very hard when we lose one of our beloved companions, heartbroken doesn't seem to cover the loss and pain we feel at their passing, but the day will come when the pain is a little less and you can balance out the grief with wonderful memories of the happy life you were able to share with Church.
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Hi Rae
I think we all have and there is no easy way to get over it. Time helps you get used to the pain and remembering the special times really helps. I lost my Chelsea to a brain tumour in March after eighteen years, many of which were spent with just the two of us, and all I can say is that you'll find a way if dealing with it. Some people on here write the most beautiful and touching tributes which they generously share and reading some if those makes you realise you're not alone.
Whatever your personal belief system can help as well as religion does give those who with faith almost a structure to help them mourn.
I happen to cling fervently to the hope / belief there has to be more than this so I had a session with an animal communicator which helped me understand my baby is still there and that maybe when I feel her snuggled up at night it's not just wishful thinking kicking in. I also tapped away on my phone, tears streaming down my cheeks, sitting on the bus going across London on my way back to the station writing her notes. I haven't added to them for a while as I'll then read the rest and start crying again.
Everyone said to me you will know when it feels right to get another cat. I waited a month as I couldn't stand the big empty hole at home.
In all this there is no right or wrong, only what's right or wrong for you :hug: :hug:
Church was beautiful and taking on another special needs cat is just as much of a tribute to your relationship with him than a thousand words and a million tears would be. :hug: :hug:
Louise
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Rae, as Gill has said, most of us here have lost beloved cats from our lives, and understand completely how lost and empty and painful the time of adjustment is. :hug: :hug:
Each of our cats is unique and special, and bring treasure untold into our lives, sometimes for a very short period of time and at others for much longer. Whatever the length of time we have with them, we're truly blessed by their love and companionship.
Everyone deals with the period of adjustment in different ways - there is no right or wrong way. And maybe adopting two special needs kittens now is right for you - if it is, then I'm sure circumstances will come together to facilitate their adoption.
If it isn't, then it will be because those wise old smarty pants of celestial cat Gods will be making other plans, and when he time is right, the cat/s that are just right for you will come. :hug: :hug:
The hurting does grow less with time - not because you forget, or grow less loyal, or take on a "replacement" - but because the good memories shine that bit brighter again, and you find yourself examining the past with tentative pleasure and rediscover the joy in things you'd forgotten. Often, the new cats who come into our lives help with that process in ways we never expect. That's the joy of our cat companions. They're so much wiser than we are. :hug:
We're all here for you, and ready to support whatever decision you make. :hug: Let us know how things go.
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most of us have lost one one way or another, you never replace them you just open your heart to someone else who needs your help :hug:
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That's true Dawn. You can go round all the rescues you like but at some point a pair of big eyes will say "I'm coming home with you" and then you're stuffed.
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and then you're stuffed.
Beautifully put, Louise :evillaugh:
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That's true Dawn. You can go round all the rescues you like but at some point a pair of big eyes will say "I'm coming home with you" and then you're stuffed.
but oh so true ;D
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Offer of a transport run stands. Halesowen is the "wrong" side of Birmingham for us (sorry Dudley-ites, that doesn't read well) but don't mind putting in some extra miles for this little guy.
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No response to e4mail as yet......so bloomin frustrating
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Thank you all so much for your kind words, they really gave me comfort, and I'm so sorry for all the babies you've lost. :hug:
Ramona got back to me, I gave her my mobile number to pass on to her neighbor, but haven't received a call yet.
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So pleased she has made contact, I never heard from her and hope that you hear about the cat soon :hug:
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Rae, do please let us know what you decide, even if Mittens isn't right for you? :hug: :hug:
What happened to the little fella who'd been stepped on? :scared:
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Mitten's owner has decided that she can't part with him so he's staying at home. I'm disappointed but at least it's a happy ending for him :)
There must be another cat out there for us.
I haven't got a response about the poor little kitty who got stepped on. :(
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Aw Rae - I feel for your disappointment, but I think this means that there's another catsomewhere who's going to need you and the home you have to offer that much more. :hug:
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Its great the kitten has a home and hope you will find another soon :hug:
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Can this thread be moved to sorted now?
:thanks:
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Yes it's sorted, but if anyone knows of any other special needs kitties in urgent need of a home please let me know :)
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I'm pleased in a way that Mittens owners have decided they truly love him, despite his problems. Everything happens for a reason, Rae. The good and the bad. :hug:
There will be a little needy soul with your name on him right around the corner, who you and only you can help. I'll eat my hat if this is not so. :cat rub:
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:shify:
(It's a big hat or so I've heard tell Rae - Sheila wouldn't make that vow lightly! ;) :hug: )
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:shify:
(It's a big hat or so I've heard tell Rae - Sheila wouldn't make that vow lightly! ;) :hug: )
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Dat's der wun! :rofl: :rofl:
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Have just received confirmation from Ramona that this is sorted so will move to that section now :)