Temptation, temptation!

[Lizzie]

We all know better than to cruise Petfinder while eating lunch at our desk, right?

Well, I ignored the logical part of my mind yesterday and cruised, hitting the special needs and senior cats buttons. The second cat on the list was this one:

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/19916668

I spent the afternoon clicking on his profile then telling myself I couldn't afford to adopt a cat, then trying to work. Finally, I called the pet grooming salon where they have a small adoption center for pets from animal control. The person I talked to didn't know much about him but it was obvious he was truly special needs.

I slept on it. Now, like the rest of us here, I'm very used to seeing scores of cats I can't adopt or even foster because my financial resources and time are very limited, but this guy would not leave my mind.

I called Animal Control and spoke to someone who knew a great deal more about him, and she was thrilled after she talked to me that I had an interest in Smokey. She put me in touch with the Animal Control Officer who had picked him up originally.

Apparently, he's the subject of an animal cruelty case because his coat was so matted he could barely move. He was an outdoor cat, but owned. They have been trying to help him and find him a home for 3 months because, in spite of all his problems, he's such a sweet natured cat they can't bear to give up on him even though they are crowded. He was seen by a local rescue group's vet who hoped shaving the mats would allow him to walk properly but he has neurological damage of some kind in his hind end so he's really wobbly.

He's mature, about 12, wobbly, can't always use the litter box properly, so OF COURSE he's my kind of cat. I'm going to the adoption center tonight to visit him. I wonder what will happen.......

Is there a way to block being able to open Petfinder on your computer?

[Lilith Cherry]

He sounds like a darling and deserves a loving home like yours Good luck~

[Karen]

I wonder if he's a CH kitty, and has always been a bit wobbly, that would account for not only the wobble, but the tendency to get matts because he couldn't groom himself properly. Anyway, he is gorgeous, let us know how it goes!

[Queen of Poop]

Oh, I think there's going to be a new addition to the pet talk family!!!

[kuhio98]

Awwww...... Sweet Smokey, you might not know it yet, but your life is going to get a lot better real soon. Your last years will be with love and dignity.

[Freedom]

I too was thinking CH as a possibility.

A cat who doesn't use the litter box, or can't, does need a special home.

[phesina]

Oh, please..... !!!!!!

Lord, please bring this kitty home here!

[cassiesmom]

I wonder if he's a CH kitty, and has always been a bit wobbly, that would account for not only the wobble, but the tendency to get mats because he couldn't groom himself properly. Anyway, he is gorgeous, let us know how it goes!

That is what I was thinking too... maybe he's a CH kitty. He is so beautiful! Hi, Smokey!

[Randi]

Lizzie, thank you so much for giving this special boy a chance. In spite of his issues, he sounds like a real sweetie and I'm sure he'll thrive in your care!

Kisses and purrs to Smokey and hugs to you... from Fister and me.

[Catty1]

Welcome home, sweetheart!

[phesina]

Kisses and purrs and God bless to you and Smokey both!

[Medusa]

Oh, a meezer! No wonder he's such a luvvie! He and my Coco would get along great! He's so lucky to have you for his cat mom. Can't wait to hear all the positive updates.

[catmandu]

We are so honored to know someone who will take in a Cat that most people would ignore and put down.

I had an 18 ish Stray Smokey, and he was such a great Old Cat, and despite being mostly blind and deaf, he was a Great Cat who lived for over five years.

I trust that you can help your Smokey get better and give that poor Dear Old Cat a good home where he will know love, probably for the forst time in his life,
Good Bless You for helping the helpless.

[chocolatepuppy]

Such a gorgeous cat! He's so lucky to have found you!

[Lizzie]

Thank you, everyone, for your good wishes. It's great that a cat who was so severely neglected now has so many people pulling for him.

"Smokey" is now Sazesh. It means someone who adapts to everything life throws at them. I nearly called him Raha, which means free, but Sazesh is easier to say and less likely to cause problems at the vet.

He's eating well, loves wet food, and is very affectionate. That's the good news.

I let him out of his bedroom into the main living area downstairs on Saturday because I thought it would help him exercise his atrophied back leg muscles. He did enjoy it but he moves very fast and his back legs kept coming together so he was dragging them behind him locked together and skewed to one side. It was very sad to see because this is the way he must have moved around until he was rescued. Also, his litter box habits became much, much more random. I was well prepared for mess, going over the side, using newspaper, etc. but Sazesh pees all over. I'm wondering if it was because he wasn't able to urinate easily when his back legs were welded together by matted fur. In a tiny space, like a cage, he uses a litter box mostly. In a bedroom, he uses the litter box rarely, pees on newspaper and over onto the floor. In the large living room he simply stops and pees. It's quite a small puddle, as though his bladder is small or has lost some of its tone.

So, he's back in the bedroom for now because he was causing too much damage. I sit with him as often as I can and he kneeds heavily all the time I fuss him. He doesn't purr at all, just breathes heavily.

He's a very sweet cat and I'm so glad I looked at Petfinder that day. He'll see my vet later this week; it will be good to get a professional opinion. Once I know whether or not it's a good idea for him to be in a large space, I can start saving to put down a large expanse of linoleum. His eyes don't look quite right, either, as though his vision isn't great.