Being a Responsible Pet Owner

When we brought Zoey into our home, not only did we have a very active and curious kitten running about on full afterburner, but my wife and I had some thing else to worry about; a precious creature to call our own: a kitten to love and to cherish.

I had signed a promise when I got Zoey from Cat Rescue that I would have her spayed. But upon Zoey's first visit to the Vet's office, it was discovered that she had a heart murmur. The Doctor explained to us that putting her under to do the operation could prove fatal. For me that was a deal-breaker. Sure I signed the papers, but I wasn't going to risk her health.

My wife on the other hand was certain that we'd be served with court papers because Cat Rescue would surely check up on Zoey, and find that we didn't honor our promise. They would then, she insisted, take Zoey and probably our two other cats because we had proven to be unfit pet owners. They would also see to it that we could never own a pet again. When my wife worries, she really worries!

I tried to reason with her that by forcing us to have Zoey spayed while facing the possibility that the operation could take her life, this defeated the very purpose of Cat Rescue's entire mission. I was certain that with a simple explanation, we could avoid any conflict. I also told my wife that there was a possibility that Zoey would grow out of this condition. Then we could proceed with the operation. Turned out that I was right on both counts, but not before my Zoey went through a dreaded heat cycle.

I was almost asleep when the racket began. Zoey and I were thousands of miles from home. Both of us were tired after a trying day on the road.

At first, I had no idea what that noise was! It sounded like a cross between a huge piece of a metal-bridge-support failing, and a tire with the air rushing out of the valve stem. I've never in my thirty-eight years heard such a horrible sound. I sat bolt upright in bed to find out what this noise was. I was shocked to find it was coming from my own dear, sweet kitten. Zoey was in heat for the first time.

When I called my Wife to tell her, she laughed at me. I guess she was thinking at this point, "Better you than me buddy-boy!" Getting no sympathy, I hung up in a quandary wondering what to do? Foolishly I thought this heat cycle would only last for a day or two, boy was I wrong!

Finally it got to the point that I started calling vets in the areas we would stop in. Several staff members brought forth opinions on how to curb this heat cycle (besides the routine spaying) that bordered on absolute lunacy! Some of these ideas could very probably have resulted in criminal charges, or at least some very bad press coverage. So I just sat in my truck, my head buried under layers of pillows and endured the nightly heat serenade.

As luck would have it, Zoey did grow out of her heart murmur and with much trepidation; I allowed the spaying to commence. Aside from a minor infection in the incision area, everything went fine. I was having an anxiety attack on the day of the operation, which would have assured the makers of Prozac or Zannex a great profit. But I got through the day without chemicals.

I was so stressed out the vet said to me, "Zoey is going to be fine, Mr. Frost. Can I get something for you?"

I admit that I considered briefly letting Zoey have a litter of kittens before the spay. But I had made a promise to a great organization, and I know full well that there are enough cute kittens waiting in cages for homes, just like my Zoey was waiting for me. To even let her have one litter, would rob someone else of the joy of adopting a kitten in need.

But more importantly, I wanted to be a responsible pet owner. I wanted to be one of those people who make it a point to license their pets, provide any medical care required and have all records up to date and in order. I also wanted to keep my word to Cat Rescue. By taking proper care of Zoey and getting her spayed this lets them know I am a man of my word.

I've since become more involved with Cat Rescue and I do what I can to acquire food and other supplies for them whenever and wherever possible. Corporate America is getting difficult to work with on this point, but if I'm persistent, maybe I can convince some company to donate a whole truckload of cat food! Then I can truck around this wonderful country of ours, and drop off these donations to cat shelters everywhere. Now that is a responsibility I would look forward to!