Lessons from a Blind Cat

Hello! I posted notices in Cat Rescue about a blind cat, Cora. She has been adopted and is in her new home, now. I've been thinking a lot about her, and I thought perhaps I should write my musings in Cat General.

Here's the story I first presented in Cat Rescue:

"I took in a wonderful stray cat a few months ago. She came to my home begging for food. She is completely blind in one eye, and has such bad cataracts in the other eye that she is functionally blind in that eye, too. She is a small, grey tabby who is resilient, affectionate, and playful. I call her Cora.

"I am on disability and have had to move to a rural area recently that provides no rental housing options for someone with pets. I have to find a home for Cora and a home for my dog.

"Please help me so that Cora can live in a loving environment with folks who will treat her tenderly and with consideration for her blindness.

"She is spayed and is current on her shots. She tested negative for feline leukemia. She has no known health problems. She apparently had kittens at some point, because her belly skin is loose. She seems to be young, though, given how much she likes to play. She weighs in at 7 pounds.

"Her sense of hearing is astounding to me! Also her survival instincts. She knows if I drop one grain of rice on a carpeted floor 5 feet from where she's sitting. The way that I've found she likes to play involves me dragging string along the floor, which she chases by listening for the sound. She rejoices in that game. (She also rejoices whenever I'm tying my shoes. I have to lift my feet up high if I don't want to spend my time entertaining her rather than getting my shoes tied.)

"I absolutely hate having to give her away. She has won my heart. I am sure she would win the heart of any cat lover.

"The tenderest moments with her are when she seeks me out to sit in my lap or to lie down on my stomach or on my back, if I'm lying down. She prefers to be close and connected like that. I think she feels safer sitting or lying on me than not. She sometimes uses that time to clean herself, as if finally she can completely relax and tend to self-care if she's on my lap, since nothing and no one is going to come too near to her or threaten her there; she feels protected.

"But she is not shy or timid around other people or other animals. She is undaunted. Outside, though, she'll run away from people and from animals unless she can hear that their voice is familiar or that their snuffling nose is familiar.

"Thank you for any help you can give. I have three weeks to find a home for her. After that, I will have no way to take care of her, unless someone else takes her in.

"She gets along great with other cats and with dogs. She is able to get around very well, considering her handicap. When she bumps into something, or something or some pet bumps her, she shakes it off right away and just keeps on going.

"She is a number one cat, a true hero among cats. She survived the Michigan winter eating out of garbage bags, keeping clear of the cars which travel 55 mph along the adjacent road, and avoiding fights with the many feral cats which eke out a living in this area. The first time I caught a glimpse of her, she was feeling her way through the 4 feet of snow in the yard to get to the food I had left for her at the back door. This cat is amazing."

Cora has been adopted by a lovely woman who rescues blind cats. She and her daughter are now giving Cora an excellent, loving home.

Iwas thinking about Cora today, and how she is completely blind, and how much courage and determination and guts and will to live she must have had to survive in the wintertime so far north. I wonder whether it was her wailing meow that I heard the very first night I spent in my rental house. That night, I went out into the 3 feet of snow to look for the source of the meow. I met a cat by the side of the road. I couldn't see it and it wouldn't let me come near it. I put some food down for it. Could that have been Cora? That was more than a month before I saw her in daylight and took her in.

I heard that same kitty wail again the next night, but after that it was silent each night. A month or so later, Cora started meowing at my back door, and I began leaving food out for her. I didn't see her in daylight until a couple more weeks had passed.

so, I think about that little cat, and I remember how scared she was when I first tried to approach her. But when i had coaxed her to come up to me, she responded right away to being petted. I took her inside and she got into a terrified ball in the corner of a room and howled. But after several hours -- and me crawling on my belly toward her so that she'd be less frightened -- she came out of the corner and accepted some affection.

that night, I slept on the floor in that room. (I of course was keeping Cora in a room separate from my other pets.) I got into a sleeping bag and let her approach me if she wanted to. She spent a good 3-4 hours nuzzling my face in a very earnest and passionately grateful way.

I wonder about cats like that. I think they show more courage and determination than a lot of people. Cora's story is a very good lesson to all of us, and especially to me. I struggle with depression. When I consider how Cora kept persevering and struggling to stay alive in spite of the apparent hopelessness of her situation, and when I consider that in the end there was hope for her, I think how much i want to follow the example she set, and how much I want to hold onto hope no matter how hopeless things seem. Cora may be "just a cat", but I want to learn the lesson that her story teaches me.

I am sure that all of you who read this have learned important things from your cats.

I love little Cora. In addition to all the other wonderful things she gave me -- her affection being the most of all that she gave -- she has taught me something. I thank the Lord for our precious kitties who teach us so much!! They offer us more than we could possibly give back, sometimes. they can be moumentally inspiring.

Thanks to Pet Talk for helping me to find a home for Cora, and for providing a way to talk about our miracle-pets with others who can appreciate them just as much as we do!

Sara

Sara your story makes me sad and happy at the same time. Sad because little Cora couldn't stay with you although you love her so much and happy because I agree: we can learn a lot of this kitty:)

Check out the threads about Magoo and Queen Scoopalot's Kirby. I had not much ideas about special needs kitties when I joined Pet Talk but here I learned a lot about them and how good they are in surviving and being happy:)

You are so right that special needs kitties can teach us a lot. She came to you through the snow out of desperation, and I'm so glad you took the time to allow her into your life & heart! Cora's life was saved by your simple act of kindness, and she in turn showered you with thanks from the moment she let her guard down. I'm so happy you got to experience the specialness of a special needs cat, as not many have such a chance (or desire one). Kirby was going to be euthanized, though my vet I think pulled a few strings to allow his adoption to go through. He was slated for euthanasia, and has now been the Little Prince of the bedroom for the last few years! ;) Glad to see you're sticking around Pettalk too! Jan

What a wonderful story about Cora and I so agree that there are many lessons for us to learn from our animals. The "special needs" kiTties can really teach us what life is all about and just how lucky we really are. I'm so glad Cora found a good home and I'm sure she will thrive. Thank you for trusting and believing in her. If you had not stuck by her then she would not be so lucky. I would have a house full of special needs if I had any space left!;) :D

I can truly relate to your story. This is Mr. Scrappy Magoo who was rescued from the shelter in april of this year. He and I went down a long and not so easy road for a few months but now I wouldn't trade him for ANYTHING!!! He taught me patience and perseverance for sure!:D

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...7/f75af277.jpg

Magoo thanks you for caring for Cora!!!

That was definately a heartfelt story. I'm so glad she took to the time and patieince to get to know Cora, and then took the measures it takes to ensure she found a new home. Cora sounds like a wonderful, loving inspiration. We should all carry her determination.

Sara, I'm so glad you told us Cora's story! Who knows if she was the same kitty crying a month before she finally came to you? no matter, she came to you and that's what counts! The pictures of her that you posted on Cat Rescue were so sweet- her running toward you and the camera because she could never leave your side! How darling! Well, we shall soon hear from alana about possible surgery and you have been blessed by her prescence in your life and she has by having you in hers! You both needed each other! I can tell you will always never forget her (as winnie the pooh would say) and that is how it should be. We look forward to Alana keeping us in the know and you too! Nice to hear from you and thanks for sharing your heart felt feelings!

Soooo glad to see you are hanging around and still posting Sarah. Magoo and his story has help me through some rough, presonal times so he is not only helping kitties, he helps humans too. Tell Cora's story to anyone who will listen and spread her story all over the web to help other kitties like her who would otherwise be overlooked or PTS.

Cora was in your life for a reason, never forget that. They teach us lessons we would otherwise, never learn. She came to you so you could find the place where she belonged on this earth and my, my, my.... You sure did that job well.

What WONDERFUL news for this precious creature! Thank you so much for finding her a forever home, and keeping us updated!!!:D

That is such a wonderful story! I ahd a Cat,Ebony,going on Ten Years back,taht wasblinded,in a Lab1 He hid in the Bthtub,in a shelter,that I made for him,and although i Hardly ever saw him,Misters Scarppy,and Fluffy,tended to his needs,as he would never come out,when i was home! Then one day,he was ill,and The Animal Rescue,said that it was the exprementsm,catching up with him. And although I only had him 2 years,I will never forget Ebony!

thank you all so much for the stories you have shared and your heartfelt responses to Cora's story!! I wish I had a computer so I could spend more time chatting with you all, and start to give back the love and support you all have given me and my pets!!

I am wondering about the lady that took Cora. Is she from Fayetteville Nc? And does Alana work for The Haven animal rescue? If so I have worked with her before. I was just wondering because if it is the same lady I worked with, She is a very nice person who TRULY care for cats. And Cora was very lucky to find such a loving home FOREVER. I am glad that you have made so much out of this situation. Good luck with your other animals =) And I am glad that you have came back with updates. *kisses for Cora*

Wow what a very touching and heartfelt story Sara. You were blessed to have Cora in your life and she in yours.
I'm glad you turned to us for help and that you were able to find a wonderful home for precious Cora.

hello! 'just wanted to be sure you all heard that Cora's new owner took her to a feline eye specialist who diagnosed her left eye as having a detached retina and the right eye as having glaucoma. the eye with glaucoma will be removed soon, since it might be causing Cora to experience headaches at this point. Isn't that wonderful that her new owner is taking care of these things for Cora?!?

i'll update you again after the surgery!

also, there are pictures of Cora at Alana's website, blindcatrescue.com

sara

What a warm, happy feeling I experienced when reading your account of Cora's story, Sara. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being such a good friend to her. :)

Sara - you have written such a heartfelt story about Cora! I am also very glad you are her and hope you are able to access a computer now and then to talk with us:) Thank you so much for taking such good care of Cora. I also battle depression and kitties are my very best therapy!! Take care!!