Thursday, January 2, 2020

An Old Photograph


A friend (“A”) sent me a photograph of Cammie. She found it on her telephone; it had been taken five and a half years ago. Some of you reading this may not be aware of the awful adventure my princess underwent in the late spring of 2014. You can read of it in detail (https://ihavethreecats.blogspot.com/2014/06/cammie-isback-with-me.html) but in short, what happened was that Cammie was adopted by someone from Regina, five and a half hours away from my town. I had my reservations, and not just with the distance that Cammie would have to travel. The adopter wasn’t quite right, but I knew that Cammie would have a hard time being adopted, so we in the rescue-group thought this would be her chance.

It wasn’t. The adopter was reluctant to report on Cammie’s progress - something which isn’t necessary for new adopters but which we wanted because of the cat in this case, and the distance involved. She was difficult to get contact. Fortunately, “A” travels to Regina now and then on personal business. The adopter had borrowed a large carrier from “A” to make Cammie’s journey more comfortable, and it was intended that “A” collect it later. When she did, she learned that Cammie was, to put it bluntly, not being appreciated. Cammie was returned.

The picture is of my Siamese girl in the bathroom of a bed and breakfast, on her way back to stay with me - stay permanently, as it turned out.

I will always be grateful that “A” stopped by Cammie’s new residence while in Regina, and grateful for the miraculous set of circumstances that allowed her to bring Cammie back. The little cat didn’t suffer any lasting effects from her ordeal, and was her old self quite soon afterward.

That was before her battle against severe food allergies, and of course her stroke and blindness of last year. If that abortive adoption had proven permanent, I don’t think Cammie would have survived her allergies. She likely would have been euthanised. If not, she would certainly have been following her stroke. Her short-term adopter did not put in the effort to acclimate Cammie to her new environment; she would not have done any more to save her from the possibly deadly effects of her allergies, and the outcome of her stroke.

But Cammie has adjusted to every calamitous event in her existence. Her world is very circumscribed now, but she has worked out a new life, and is, at least, comfortable. Because bumping into another cat is startling to her in her blindness, and results in hissing and growling, the others stay out of her way; even Neville has learned this, and keeps a wary eye on the princess when she is roaming. She is not the top-cat of the household - she cares little for arranging the others’ places and managing their behaviour - but she is a force in the cosy apartment, as may be judged by this series of photographs, which may be entitled ‘Waiting Their Turn’.

I am happy that my Cammie was brought home and that she is still here, at home.

12 comments:

  1. I have always been grateful that Cammie was returned to you. I agree, she would have not have survived the health crises that occurred since. Thank goodness for A!

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  2. While I am sorry that Cammie didn't get 100% from that adopter, the fact that she has a loving, furrever home with you is simply the bestest thing!

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  3. Ditto both comments!

    Looking at those photos, though, it's hard to imagine that she's NOT the top cat. :-)

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  4. Sometimes it's a challenge to get to the RIGHT forever home, I know, I was abused at my first home.

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  5. Thank goodness for you and "A"! The important thing to remember is that you've provided Cammie with a home where all of her needs are met and where she is loved. She deserves to be treated like a Princess.

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  6. I remember that incident vividly. (It was nearly five years ago?!) The Cat Gods were really with Cammie to have her rescued from that awful situation so quickly. I just pray that woman didn't get another pet.

    That's the scary part about fostering--seeing some of the people who want to adopt, and shouldn't. My mother is currently fostering four kittens (not counting her four perma-cats AND the Saint Bernard.) She told me that so far, all the people who have shown interest in the kittens are "People I wouldn't let adopt a rock!"

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    1. Ha! Your mother has a way with words (and I am impressed with the number of kittens she can handle.)

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  7. I remember Cammie's adoption so well. If I was asked I would have said it was 3 years ago maximum. Where does the time go?
    I am so glad that Cammie came back to you. No-one could give her better care than you have.
    She may be small but she is resilient. Resilience wouldn't have helped her in her short lived adoption home though.

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  8. Cammie is obviously in the right home now. So glad you were able to rescue her again and keep her safe.

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  9. I am grateful for this news of Cammie's return. She is home where she's loved and safe. It would become a blog if I keep on. I will say that when I have gone to adoption fairs...I offered money on one account to keep a very wrong man from adopting a kitten. She kindly told me she knew the person and would not let the kitten go.

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  10. Sometimes that which seems to be an answer turns to to the opposite and this can be doubly so in adoptions. We are so glad Cammie has a home where she is appreciated for the little lady she is. It is amazing how cats fit into each others lives

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  11. Reading this all over again today Jan 13, I am so very sorry Cammie had to find herself in such a quandary and so exceeding grateful that 'A' went to get her! And that she came home to you. A princess.

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