My "Little Love"

This is Constantine:

The thing he's on I got in the clearance isle at Petco for $8.00, originally over $30.  All my cats just love it and take turns laying on it and playing with it.  I don't get it, but they do.  I think they make the same kind of things of human babies.

This is Constantine's story.  He came into the shelter where I volunteer in February of 2010.  Shortly thereafter I became acquainted with him, and before long I was totally in love with him.  Over time he became one of the most popular cats in the shelter, with both staff and volunteers, because of his outgoing and affectionate, good-natured manner.

I really didn't want any more cats, but I was so smitten with him, that last fall I said I'd adopt him by February of 2011, if no one had by then.  But at that point he had eye infections and eye ulcers.  They took him to a vet ophthalmologist and found he had eye lashes under his eyelids.  They did a procedure to freeze them off.  Then, a few months later, the procedure had to be repeated.

Also, he always had excessive urination. He was in a cage, always, unless volunteers took him out for a while, so they knew this.  He had all kinds of tests to try to determine the problem.  All were negative.  But in July, just when I was ready to adopt him again, as his eye problems seemed over, some vet radiologists came to the shelter with a mobile ultra sound and found he has enlarged kidneys - some kind of nephritis.  This scared me off again.  Also, his eye problems seemed to have returned.

So, I brooded about it all for a while and finally decided that I would propose to the foster manager at the shelter that I be his long term foster guardian.  What this means is that he will live with me indefinitely, but the shelter will be responsible for his veterinary care (as long as they have the means to do this).  The foster manager and the clinic staff at the shelter went for it. They have several cats and dogs living in this situation.

However, when I was ready to get him, he needed to go back to the vet ophthalmologist.  He went and it was found he had conjunctivitis.  Because of having 5 other cats, and how contagious this condition is, I waited another week to bring him home.

But, now, he has been home with me for 2.5 weeks.  He spent 3 days in the bathroom, but he wanted out from the start.  He has settled in very, very well.

I had to come to terms with the knowledge that he probably won't live to be an old cat, because of his kidney problems.  But, I decided to give him a home, for as long as he has.  He is only 3 or 4 years old now.  Besides the kidney and the ongoing eye problems, he had a crypt neuter - meaning his testicles where internal and had to be removed after an incision, in order to neuter him.  Also, he has a damaged ear, from a hematoma, It is fully healed, and he came into the shelter with it. He had been a stray, so it may have been from a fight (though he is a lover not a fighter).  It may be the reason he didn't get adopted, but those of us who know him think it is just cute! The ear is all there, it is just curled up.

I had to take him back to the vet ophthalmologist last Saturday.  They love him there. They think he is adorable. He never said a peep as the numbed his eyes with drops and then plucked out more eyelashes.  He gets eye meds once or twice a day, and has for a very long time.  He is very good about it.  He didn't make a sound all the way to and from the vet - about 40 minutes each way.  He has to go back there Dec. 3.  I know the shelter may not support his medical needs, particularly the needs for specialists, indefinitely.  But, I'm going to use their resources and generosity as long as I can.

He is fully integrated into my household.  I never had such an easy introduction between cats before.  He never has a cross "word"' for anyone.  They all play with him nicely, even my jealous boys.  Only Tonya growls and hisses at him sometimes, as she does with all my cats (except Lily).  But even she plays with him and growls/hisses at him less and less.

He would sleep on top of me all night, with his face pressed to mine, if I let him.  He does sleep next to me all night.  He is a real lap cat, too, even more than my Lily.  She has to compete a little bit to get my lap now.  She doesn't like that.  But she plays with him, as all of them do.  He is very playful, very happy, and happy- go-lucky.  I love him so and feel so glad to finally have him.

BUT, my house is now totally full up with cats!

Robin

Thanks for the kind words.  You all are making me blush.   

I told you, Laurie, that he looks like Chumley!  Like Chumley's younger brother, or son.  Maybe . . . . .   

I feel privileged to have him.  I know there are people at the shelter that are jealous that I got him.  Too, bad!  They had their chance.

He'll sit in my lap and lick my face until I make him stop.  What a funny, boy!  

Robin