Ari came to me a little over a year ago as just another foster baby. Emaciated, ridden with fleas and shaking like a leaf. When the shaking didn't stop, I brought him to my personal vet. and he was diagnosed with cerebellar hypoplasia. I was told he would never be able to jump...never be able to run and his condition would never get better but possibly get worse ending in seizures. My vet. explained that this little baby had contracted CH in utero and the part of his brain that is permanently damaged controls motor skills & coordination.
I lined his foster cage with bumpers so he wouldn't hurt himself if he fell into the cage bars, I purchased a small ferret mock-litter box for him so he could lean...which eventually grew into a cat carrier with entrance completely cut out so as a growing adult he could lean against the sides for balance...and he was taken off the adopt list...he was already home. After some research, he was given the most fitting name I could find...Ari..."Lion of God" in Hebrew.
My home became Ari-proofed...no sharp edges anywhere, a twin size mattress on the floor by my bed just in case he fell out during the night...large water & food bowls so he could peck without hurting his mouth area...and tons of love & attention.
My feline crew of 11 never played with Ari too rough somehow sensing there was something "special" about him...but instead they played with him gently groomed him and slept with him...adopting him immediately.
Ari grew into a beautiful 1-year old with determination as powerful as his name. Nature and pure will allowed those long giraffe-like legs to get him onto the first level of our two 8-feet high cat condos. An accomplishment that truly brought tears to our eyes. He zig-zagged down the hall with his brothers & sisters during play never realizing how different he really was.
2-weeks ago, I noticed Ari wasn't really present during the day. I had a family death and was in & out from early to late and figured it was just a change in routine for him. One night last week when I was cuddling him up in bed...a routine that the two of us did every night where I placed him in bed with me and he rolled & rolled and bonked & bonked until we both fell asleep...I noticed how thin he felt.
The next day I brought him to my vet. and upon examination, he immediately felt a large mass w/adhesions to Ari's intestine. Ari couldn't eat. A diagnostic surgery was discussed but this would simply be a diagnostic & risky for a CH cat...not a treatment. I asked my vet...who has been my vet. for 22-years...if this was his cat, what would he do?...he told me that he would not let any of animals suffer.
With no option, I sat in the examination room soaking Ari's fur with my pain and repeatedly told Ari what a good boy he is...how much I absolutely adored him and how proud I am of all his accomplishments over the last year.
Ari's message is clear and simple...all obstacles can be overcome with love, trust & will.
I have an inside crew of 14...I have had many feline & canine companions since I was a kid...I have fostered over 85 kittens in the last 14-months & I have cared for a feral colony for years...But...I have never had a relationship with an animal like the one I had with Ari. This was a true exchange of trust and love that was 1000% unconditional. I feel truly blessed to have experienced that unique relationship for his 1-year of life that I hope everyone at least once-in-a-lifetime can experience.
Ari...my sweet, loving, strong-willed baby can finally jump & run...
I lined his foster cage with bumpers so he wouldn't hurt himself if he fell into the cage bars, I purchased a small ferret mock-litter box for him so he could lean...which eventually grew into a cat carrier with entrance completely cut out so as a growing adult he could lean against the sides for balance...and he was taken off the adopt list...he was already home. After some research, he was given the most fitting name I could find...Ari..."Lion of God" in Hebrew.
My home became Ari-proofed...no sharp edges anywhere, a twin size mattress on the floor by my bed just in case he fell out during the night...large water & food bowls so he could peck without hurting his mouth area...and tons of love & attention.
My feline crew of 11 never played with Ari too rough somehow sensing there was something "special" about him...but instead they played with him gently groomed him and slept with him...adopting him immediately.
Ari grew into a beautiful 1-year old with determination as powerful as his name. Nature and pure will allowed those long giraffe-like legs to get him onto the first level of our two 8-feet high cat condos. An accomplishment that truly brought tears to our eyes. He zig-zagged down the hall with his brothers & sisters during play never realizing how different he really was.
2-weeks ago, I noticed Ari wasn't really present during the day. I had a family death and was in & out from early to late and figured it was just a change in routine for him. One night last week when I was cuddling him up in bed...a routine that the two of us did every night where I placed him in bed with me and he rolled & rolled and bonked & bonked until we both fell asleep...I noticed how thin he felt.
The next day I brought him to my vet. and upon examination, he immediately felt a large mass w/adhesions to Ari's intestine. Ari couldn't eat. A diagnostic surgery was discussed but this would simply be a diagnostic & risky for a CH cat...not a treatment. I asked my vet...who has been my vet. for 22-years...if this was his cat, what would he do?...he told me that he would not let any of animals suffer.
With no option, I sat in the examination room soaking Ari's fur with my pain and repeatedly told Ari what a good boy he is...how much I absolutely adored him and how proud I am of all his accomplishments over the last year.
Ari's message is clear and simple...all obstacles can be overcome with love, trust & will.
I have an inside crew of 14...I have had many feline & canine companions since I was a kid...I have fostered over 85 kittens in the last 14-months & I have cared for a feral colony for years...But...I have never had a relationship with an animal like the one I had with Ari. This was a true exchange of trust and love that was 1000% unconditional. I feel truly blessed to have experienced that unique relationship for his 1-year of life that I hope everyone at least once-in-a-lifetime can experience.
Ari...my sweet, loving, strong-willed baby can finally jump & run...
