To the rescue: cats and dogs : In Memory of Woody

In Memory of Woody

Posted by Cindy

Posted: March 7, 2008 - 12:40 am

Being in rescue has it ups and downs. It is great when you are able to rescue an animal, get that animal healthy and adoptable and into that purrfect home. It's exhilarating when you make that connection that is positive for both pet and owner.

Most of the cats I pull out of Animal Control are at the request of volunteers, or cats that need that special touch...that have medical issues.

One such cat was Woody. I pulled Woody out 1/22 after being dumped by his previous owners because of "allergies". They marked on the personality sheet that he had a slight heart murmur. He was a 10 month old orange and white tabby with lots of personality. But, Woody had a handicap. He was born with deformed front legs, both turned inward so that he walked on the sides of his legs near his elbows. That didn't stop him though, from scaling the cat poles, to jumping up on things, Woody thought he was like any other cat and his handicap did not slow him down in the least.

Woody Woody

Woody got along well with everyone, human and other animals. When you came to visit, he would stand tall and be the first one to say hello. He was extremely affectionate and would be in your lap the moment you sat down and talk your ear off.

I nursed Woody through upper respiratory as I do with most of the cats I rescue. He finally got healthy enough to withstand his neuter. The vet called to inform me that Woody didn't have a slight heart murmur, it was quite serious. It seemed he also had a deformed sterum and fluid in the chest. She told me he probably wouldn't have a very long life...maybe a few weeks, or even a few years. That was when I made the decision to make Woody a sanctuary cat. I knew he would end up breaking my heart at some point in time, but I was going to enjoy him for the time I did have him and make him feel wanted and loved.

Well, Woody did break my heart. The vet was right, he didn't have a very long life. Woody died March 5 in the wee hours of the morning. I checked in on him before going to bed and he seemed fine, but started going downhill rapidly. I was able to be with him in those final minutes. I held him for awhile, laid on the floor beside him, stroked his soft fur and told him how much he was loved. I held him for a long time after he died. I didn't have Woody for very long, but in the short time I did, he made an impact on me and he is the reason I do rescue. This is the sad part of rescue. It is for him and cats like him that make it all worthwhile.

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