7 replies to this topic

[Laura_E]

I received a phone call last night from a girl that I work with to say that a stray cat had turned up in her mother-in-laws garden and hadn't left since. Her mother-in-law, who also works at my place, recently lost her father after a long illness and has been incredibly stressed out with the whole thing. The cat first appeared in the garden last Monday, the same day that her father passed away- so he has been named Dennis in her dad's memory.

Apparently when he first arrived he was in a really bad way, but as they didn't want to encourage him away from his home they didn't interact with him or feed him, until it became apparent that he wasn't going anywhere! So for the last week he has been sleeping in their garden in a make-shift shelter. They have sent flyers round to see if he belongs to anyone but haven't had any response. Last night they took him to the vet for a check up. He wasn't chipped, but is neutered. Judging by his teeth the vet estimates that he is about 12 years old. As he is primarily white, he has some scaring around his ears and also a lump by his eye. The vet has checked this and said that it is just a cyst and not a tumour. He is currently on a course of anti-biotics to help get him back to health.

Unfortunately they were unable to find Dennis a rescue space, despite ringing over 40 charities. They also contacted the animal warden, but they claimed to have no duty of care. So, faced with the prospect of leaving him at the vets to be put to sleep, they decided to contact me- knowing that I wouldn't be able to turn him away!

So he arrived here early this evening and has been an absolute sweetheart. He is very, very sweet and affectionate and has been incredibly brave with Tess and the cats. It is clear that he has been neglected for quite some time, but it doesn't seem to have effected his temperament, he is lovely.

Bobby and Molly (my cats) haven't been particularly welcoming, but he hasn't reacted and has taken their hostility in his stride. I wasn't sure how he would react to Tess, but he has been very confident around her and was even rubbing himself up against her earlier. He loves a fuss and has been purring away.

At the moment he is very underweight, but he has a healthy appetite and is now on a good diet so should start to fill out soon. His nails are also quite overgrown, but once he has settled in I will get these seen to and also have him vaccinated.

If anybody is able to provide this lovely boy with a rescue space, or a home, please get in contact. He is in foster with me in Feltham (outskirts of West London) but transport can be arranged.

[Marie Claire]

Laura, hes beautiful, well done you for getting stuck in yet again and helping out another animal in need (hopefully your lodger will be a bit happier about a cat in the house instead of another dog!). I'll put the word out around my area and see if anyone can help.

M-C x

[Laura_E]

Thanks Marie-Claire

Unfortunately the lodger isn't very happy, but he never is so it's nothing new!

I have frontlined and wormed him today and got him a nice new bed and collar. Once he is off the anti-biotics I will have him vaccinated and see what the vet advises regarding the cysts on his eye. He is very small for a male cat, but I am hoping he will start to fill out soon. He is eating extremely well (he even tries to steal the dog food!) so I don't think it will be long before he is back to a healthy weight, I just want to make sure it is gradual. He has the runs at the moment, which is something the lodger has had a good old moan about! But he is bound to be unsettled considering what he has been through.

All of the rescues that I have spoken to have said that things are really slow on the rehoming front at the moment and don't rate my chances of finding a home for a 12 year old when people aren't even adopting kittens, but I am staying positive. He is such a lovely cat, and has obviously been well socialised- he absolutely loves Tess and follows her around everywhere. She is a bit confused by all the attention, but has given him the odd lick here and there!

[lil_angel]

Aww hes lovely

Laura if you want to put him on our website as a private rehoming contact the webteam.

[Laura_E]

Thanks Amy. Once he has been here for a bit longer and I have been able to assess him properly I will contact them.

He has grown a bit more in confidence now and seems more settled. He had been sitting under the dinner table for the first 24 hours, but last night he came and sat with us on the sofa and was still there when I got up this morning!

The lodger is coming round now too. I got these pictures of them last night.....





It's hard not to like him, he so chilled out and loving and asks for very little. I think he would be perfectly happy in a home that could provide him with a nice warm bed to sleep on, a decent meal and the occasional bit of fuss- a home with a dog to rub up against would be a bonus too!

I am going to Holland next week so had hoped to find something for him quite quickly, but I am sure the lodger will be able to take good care of him whilst I'm away, and then the search will continue.

If anyone is able to cross post for me I would really appreciate it.

[Laura_E]

We have decided that it would be unfair to move Dennis at this stage in his life and with all the upheaval he has had recently, so he is going to stay with us.

Unfortunately Bobby and Molly are still being incredibly hostile towards him, but he does at least have one friend.....

[Trallwm farm]

He looks just like Icabod my very special oldie who went a few years ago. I always knew where he was in the dark because he sounded like Darth Vader.

[lil_angel]

Aww I missed that. Welcome home Dennis