Cat saved from imminent death, with move of one small paw

A cat's life hung in the balance through circumstances out of it's control.  Did he know his future was in jeopardy?

We hate to hear of cats losing their lives. The small move this cat made, saved his life. 

Read his story below:

In Memory of Barbara

I met Bernard and his traveling companion at the park one day, when I noticed his RV parked at the curb on a beautiful day.

My wife, Barbara, and I had been married for over 25 years. We raised a beautiful family together and never let a day go by without saying “I love you”. My wife loved cats. Me personally, I couldn’t see the value of cats. I couldn’t take them on walks, play fetch or other manly things. That aside and being a smart guy, soon after we met, I convinced Barbara I was a great guy when I adopted a cat for her from the local shelter. 

Molly was definitely my wife’s cat. It was a beautiful vision to see my wife curled up in a chair having dozed off from reading a book, and Molly tucked in at her side. Molly was on her lap when we watched TV; watched us from her feeding perch while we ate dinner; and slept near my wife’s feet during the night. My wife spared no expense taking care of Molly. If it made my wife happy, it was all right with me.

I have never been a cat guy, but sometimes I wondered if my wife had to make a choice between me or Molly, how would I fare? When my lovely wife was diagnosed with cancer, I did my part to be supportive and do what I could for her; and she went through all the treatments. Every day I would stay by her side, giving her anything she asked for or needed. Next to her at all times, was Molly. Barbara always had one hand near Molly and she seemed so peaceful when Molly would purr. 

 On a sunny summer day, cancer won and I lost one of the most special parts of my life, and half of my soul. I have never felt so much grief in my life. Family and friends rallied around me for days after her death making sure I had food. When they could find her, they fed Molly and cleaned up after her. Molly was either MIA in the house or she was on top of my wife’s side of the bed. I knew at some point I would have to do something about finding Molly another home or give her to the local pound who would put her to sleep; but this was all I could do for now. 

After the crowd of people dwindled to only visiting occasionally, it was my turn to take care of Molly. It seemed like such an inconvenience in my grieving state. Some days when I really didn’t care, I could hear my wife’s voice reminding me to feed Molly. And I would. But we would just look at each other. My wife used to croon with Molly all the time, but I had never talked to a cat, and I wasn’t starting now. So I fed her in silence. My home was overly silent and sad and Molly was too much of a painful reminder of what I had lost. When I came in the bedroom Molly would look at me and slowly get off the bed and hide somewhere. I didn’t have a connection with Molly, and it never occurred to me that she was grieving too.

One night I was sitting on the couch and overwhelmed in my grief, sobbing for my wife, I felt someone touch my knee just like my wife used to. At first I thought it was the memory of my wife reaching out in some odd way through death to comfort me. I opened my eyes and could barely see through the tears. It was Molly sitting next to me and she had placed her paw on my knee. When I looked at her, I felt her sadness too. Nothing could stop the tears. I held Molly and cried into her fur for the longest time. Something changed in me and I saw Molly differently. Our relationship changed and although we aren’t the close friends she and Barbara were, she and I are kinda buddies. 

I recently sold my home and bought a RV. Molly and I travel around the country doing whatever the day brings. She likes to sit in the passenger seat as I drive, and I talk to her all the time. She doesn’t answer back, but then again Barbara didn’t much either when I was rambling on while I was driving. And that’s all right with me.

Contributed by Bernard J. In Memory of Barbara

Excerpt from: Stress Out for Cats, Dogs and their People ©

Proceeds from Book Sales benefit selected animal rescues and charities.

This book is a collection of real life stories from animal lovers and advocates who have learned something about themselves through the cats and dogs in their care. They have also learned how to better care for their animal companions which can then reduce the stress for both. In these personal stories you might read something that helps you to understand your animal companion’s stress and their needs, or find a way to prevent accidents, injury and some illnesses. We hope to inspire you, educate you and provide solutions to some of your frustrations.

SUPPORT ANIMAL RESCUES AND GET YOUR COPY FROM AMAZON, HERE: Paperback or Kindle
To learn more about the book, and different purchase options, visit the website


Special editions are currently available and support specific charities:
PETS OF THE HOMELESS
CATS AT THE STUDIOS
ACE OF HEARTS FOUNDATION

We also ask, that after you have enjoyed reading this book, that you take a minute to go back to Amazon and leave a review. Thank you.

Cats & Dry Food

This morning I received a call from a dear friend who was quite upset because his sweet 5 year old cat had just been diagnosed with cat diabetes. His vet told him that the carbohydrates in cat dry foods have been shown in studies to have detrimental effects on the health of cats and increase the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is an endocrine (glandular) disorder in which cats either do not produce insulin or are unable to respond to its effects.  As a result, there is too much sugar in the bloodstream, which can damage the kidneys, eyes, skin, and cardiovascular and nervous systems. My friend was following the trend of dry food only for cats without any clue that such a diet could lead to health problems.

Diet plays an important role in pets’ well-being, just as it does ours. For years studies and reports are made on the diet and health of cats. In 1994, an epidemiological investigation reported evidence for an increased risk of obesity in cats fed commercially available, high-carbohydrate, dry-expanded diets as opposed to commercially available, canned, high-fat diets.

Many cat guardians simply feed their cat companions the cheapest or easiest food on the shelf, but is it really safe and cost efficient?   When I started to feed my cat companions a more natural diet, their vet visits decreased. The small amount of time and cost of improving their diets was actually a savings since I was no longer paying high vet bills and lab tests. Their fur has more shine, their bathroom schedule and output is normal and their energy levels are still a lot of fun.

If you are going to feed a commercial cat food, the product name says a lot: “Chicken Cat Food” is far different from “Cat Food with Chicken” in terms of how much chicken the product actually contains.
If the product name reads “Chicken Cat Food,” then it must contain at least 95% of the named ingredient, not including moisture content.  If the product name contains two ingredients (for example “Chicken and Fish Cat Food”), the food has to contain more of whichever one is named first, but together they must add up to 95%.

If the product has "Dinner", “entrée,” “formula,” or similar in the name, then the product contains less than 95% meat or fish, but more than 25%

Check the ingredients list closely in these cases to make sure you’re feeding your cat what you think you are. The ingredient in the product name may only make up a quarter of the product.

Know what the label means when is says "Meat". You may be surprised to learn what the most common ingredients really are:

Meat: Cleaned flesh from chicken, lamb, turkey, cattle, and related animals that have been slaughtered specifically for animal feed purposes. However, flesh means more than skin. It may include muscle, fat, nerves, blood vessels from the skin, the heart, esophagus, and the tongue.

Meat by-product: Clean, nonflesh parts from the same animals mentioned above. This can include the blood, bone, brain, liver, lungs, liver, kidneys, and emptied stomach and intestines. There are no hooves, hair, horns, or teeth in meat byproducts. Chicken by-products are feather-free.

Beef tallow: A fat made from beef.

Meal: Finely ground tissue.

Bone meal: Finely ground bone from slaughtered feed animals.

Fish meal: Clean, ground undecomposed whole fish or fish pieces. The fish may or may not still contain fish oil.

Ground corn: Chopped or ground corn kernels.

Corn gluten meal: A product that forms after corn syrup or starch is made.

When it comes to pet foods, there are no official definitions for the terms "natural" and "organic." But the two are not the same. "Organic" is about how a food source is grown and processed. The FDA says cat foods flaunting terms such as "premium" or "ultra-premium" are not required to be made of any better or healthier ingredients than a regular complete and balanced cat food.

If your cat is obese or has developed health problems work with your Veterinarian or Animal Naturopath to regain your cat's best health.

California
Featured Adoptable Pet:

A121560
Yuba County Animal Care Services
Olivehurst, CA
compliments of Petfinder.com

SOURCES:

ASPCA web site, “Cat Care”.

HealthyPet.com web site, “Your Cat’s Eating Habits”.

The Pet Food Institute web site, “Pet Nutrition”.

Web Vet web site, "Understanding Pet Food Labels".

Defend Our Pets web site, “Home Page”.