I think calico cats are beautiful. So, about a year ago, I decided to adopt one.

I know, with four cats (then), most folks thought I was crazy. And, given the conventional wisdom, I’m sure they were right. Why would anyone want 5 cats? Heck, my family, who are NOT cat lovers, thought even one cat was crazy.

Anyway, over the next few months, I started looking for calico cats. Petfinder.com was an excellent help.

I came very close to adopting a calico kitten out a shelter in Maine. I spend a week in April on the Bangor ANGB teaching CAP cadets in the Maine (cadet) Airman Academy. But, the kitten turned out to be ill and not overly friendly, so I passed on it.

Eventually, I ran into a group down on Long Island that works to find home for cats and kittens in high kill shelters in Southern and Midwestern states. I decided to adopt from them, and I choose a cat. However, it was too late; she had already been sent to the bridge.

A few weeks later, I saw Patches on the website. I fell in love with her and started the adoption process.



Patches was, we though, pregnant. She was quickly transferred from the shelter in Virginia and taken to Long Island. The group would let her give birth, wean the kitten and, at the 8-12 week mark, depending on how the kittens were doing, then adopt her out to me. The group would then adopt her out to me.

Well, Patches was not pregnant. She had a condition called closed pirometria (sp?). Patches' womb was filled with an infected fluid, which simulated pregnancy. The rescue folks caught on to the problem right away (when they could not “feel” any kittens).

To make the long story short, Patches did not make it. She was so week from the problem that she could not withstand the surgery to remove the infected womb (much like a spay operation). The vets tried to treat her with antibiotics, in the hope to get her to the position that she could withstand the operation. However, this did not work. Patches went into septic shock and had to be helped to the bridge.

I adopted Dusty from this group. She was the only cat who “wrote” to me asking me to take her home.


Funny how life works out – when I brought Dusty home from her first vet visit, the “breed” notation on the vet bill was “calico”.

Dusty, as it turns out, is a dilute torbie. She is mostly gray with a few flecks of gold and cream. At first, her colors were not very noticeable, But, as she “fattened” up on good food, the hidden colors came out.


Dusty has taught me something very important. Love conquers all. She was so skittish, always hiding and running away. Now, whenever I am at the computer at home, she is the first one trying to climb in my lap.

Mark


Mark

Mark,

What a touching story - complete with pictures. Thank you for sharing about Patches and Dusty. I felt very sad reading about Patches, and know it must have been very painful for you.

I'm so glad Dusty is such a loving companion, and looks so sweet in the picture. You certainly do have a heart full of love, and won Dusty's heart. She has such a beautiful face.

Maria

Oh Mark..... Patches was so beautiful - I could see how you wanted to give her a home....such a sad ending though.... I have my heart on a calico for my "next" kitty too ((( Don't tell Neil.....))) because I think they are just GORGEOUS.

Very sad about the other kittys you mentioned too...the kitten who was too sick and the one you wanted to adopt but had already been PTS.

Dusty is very pretty too however, and you can see her "colors" in the bottom picture. Very nice.... Lucky kitty. Guess she needed you the most!

Mark, what a beautiful story. I was so sad to read the others went to the bridge before they got to know the kind of love you could give them. But Dusty is so pretty and needed you so bad. I am glad things worked out for her.

The photos are fabulous!

Too bad Patches had such a bad uterine infection, that she died. That is another big reason to get female cats spayed, so that can't happen to them.

When I wrote up Patches’ story, I forgot a few important things.

Patches was, literally, in her last few minutes of life when I made the call. She was in the euthanasia room at the shelter (they use gas there).

The best way to contact the rescue agency is to use e-mail – as someone is always watching for incoming e-mail (all the rescue work is done from people’s homes). After I sent my e-mail, I immeditely received a phone call back from the rescue agency. She though it might have been too late, as Patches time had run out. In fact, we cut our call short, very short, so she could do her stuff.

Patches was in the gas chamber. The call to the shelter made it in time. The rescue agency had her pulled and, within 24 hours, had her in Long Island. I don’t remember what state the shelter was in, but it was a trip of over 500 miles (one way). (Dusty came from a shelter in Tennessee.)

The rescue agency did there very best to save Patches. She was brought to Long Island on Saturday afternoon. Right away, they saw something was wrong and had her at the emergency vet. On Monday, she was hospitalized at the regular vet. She went to the Bridge on Thursday.

For a while, they thought she might make it. Things finally started looking up on Wednesday. But, Wednesday night things took a serious turn for the worse and after a conversation with the rescue agency, the decision to help her to the bridge was made.

I must admit; I was crushed. That week was a real emotional roller coaster for me. Joy, concern, worry, resignation, hope and finally, well, I don’t know what name to give the last one.

For all that happened, I just did not want Patches to be one of the forgotten and unloved. At least the rescue agency gave her some comfort at the end.

Oh what a sad story.... I have to say though - you and the rescue people sure did go "above and beyond" to pull her out of the gas chamber and try to give her a good home. She was absolutey a very beautiful little girl. I can't imagine how you made it through that roller coaster of emotions in such a short period of time....I'd have been a complete and utter basket case.

Perhaps, because of all the emotions you had invested in Patches, your last emotion was "heartbreak and loss". Sure seems like it.

Mark,

So Sorry to hear about Patches. She was certainly a real beautiful cat. Glad to hear things did work out with Dusty. I really like the way her Tortie colors come out now that she's healthy. She's a real beauty too.

Jim

It took me a while, but here is the letter that Dusty sent me.

Mark

Dear Mark,

Barbra has told me what a very special person you are. I wanted to contact you, because I *need* a very special person in my life for the rest of my life. I don't know how it happened, but I am pregnant and the vet said I am ready to give birth any day now. I am in a shelter and they told me if no one helps me by the end of the day then I and my unborn babies are going to be put down. It's so unfair and I am so very scared. I am such a good girl and so very pretty and do not understand why this is happening to me. Could I spend the next 20 years or so with you? I promise to love you and comfort you and will spend my life being eternally grateful. Barbra said if you will save me then she will come and get me tomorrow and let me stay at her house while I have my babies and can remain there until they are weaned. Please think about it as I don't know where else to turn.

Purrs,
Dusty

Oh my gosh,

That's a letter that would most definitely be hard to say no to.

Jim