Update from Deb S:
Still need a home for Shakespeare. He got sick over the weekend, and the timing was good because we found out after an ultrasound and before the planned adoption that he has two chronic conditions. The first is a slow-growing benign liver tumor that will only become a health issue if it gets large enough to put pressure on something important.
The other condition is either inflammatory bowel disease or a slow-growing bowel cancer. Treatment for both is the same: monitor for symptoms and treat as necessary.
All of this makes the adoption more difficult as he must now be considered a special-needs cat. The jackal who had planned to take him has no means of transportation and has reluctantly backed out. I would still like to get him adopted out of NYC if possible rather than take him to Maine with me where I think I’ll have a harder time finding a home. So if anyone is interested he is still available. Thanks.
Hello Juicers. I’m a long-time lurker, from the days when B-J was on the Dkos blog-roll and John was still a republican.
My mom is in home hospice in Manhattan on the Upper East Side, and neither my brother nor I can take Shakespeare, her part Russian Blue mix. He is the best cat to ever own her. Typical Russian Blue personality, his goal in life is to be on a person. Vocal and loving, if he’s complaining either his food dish is empty or you need to SIT DOWN THIS MINUTE so he can jump into your lap. The picture is of him homing in on my lap like a heat-seeking missile.
My mom got Shakespeare about 10 years ago from a rescue connected with her vet’s office, after losing her prior cat to old age. He is at least 13, and maybe older.
He has a tilt to his head and is a bit asymmetrical, we think he might have been hit by a car or suffered some other traumatic injury before my mom got him. And he has a nervous habit of over-grooming and pulling out his own fur that has gotten worse as my mom’s condition worsened and she could no longer give him the attention he was used to.
He needs a lot of love and would probably do best with another shut-in, or a family with one or more older children who can dote on him and give him the affection he craves. He loved visits from the children who used to live next door. I don’t know how he would do with other pets but safest would be a home with none.
Steeplejack would probably attest — for someone who works from home, a senior cat can be the perfect pet.
If you’re interested, or know someone who might be, leave a comment or contact me via the link in the blogroll.
Deb S:It’s hard to get a good picture – if he’s awake and you’re near him he’s heading for your lap. In this pic he’s reaching for my hand because I’m not petting him as I should be.
RedDirtGirl
I’m sorry things have gotten more complicated at an already challenging time.
JPL
I’m so sorry to read about the poor guy.
satby
Not just a special needs, but potentially an ongoing very expensive adoption keeping up with vet visits and treatments. It’s good that you’re being honest about his health, but with two potentially fatal conditions is adoption still a good idea for this boy? Because sometimes the kindest thing is to gently let them go rather than put them through stressful changes that could also exacerbate health problems. But an adopter who understands this is what they’re taking on may be found.
zhena gogolia
I’m sorry about Shakespeare. I’m going through something similar with the cats I’m considering adopting — the older one has a lot more problems than I knew about (although they are more chronic than immediately life-threatening, I hope).
I’ve always had strays before — they don’t show up on your doorstep with a dossier of all their health problems, so somehow it’s less daunting to find it all out on your own . . .
I hope he finds a good home.
Cheryl Rofer
Agreeing with satby here. Before Ric and Zooey came along, I adopted an older cat. We didn’t know at the time that he had an abdominal mass, which the vet found when I took him in for a checkup. He lasted three months.
satby
@satby: and apologies for sounding unsympathetic, because I’m really very sympathetic. Over the last three years I’ve had 6 pets die from various causes; but the main cause was that they had been picked up by our rescue and then never adopted for multiple reasons, usually chronic health issues. I’m a foster/adoptive home of last resort when we have unadoptables. It’s hard to take on a senior animal who’s healthy, so the unhealthy ones are very difficult to place.
Another Scott
I’m sorry to hear this. He has had a good long life. Medical care is amazing these days, but sometimes there are no good options. I hope that he finds a good home for his remaining days.
Best of luck.
Cheers,
Scott.
satby
@Cheryl Rofer: You gave him three months as a beloved pet though, more than he would have had and all that they ask for. That, and sparing them unnecessary suffering are the way we can return that devotion they show us.
Ohio Mom
I can imagine the suggestion that you let Shakespeare go gracefully and gently might be daunting at the same time you are losing your mom. That is a lot of loss all at once. Life can be so f*cking hard!!!
Know that we are all pulling for you. You are doing the hardest work.
JPL
@satby: Quite the contrary, you sounded kind but realistic.
Deb S
He is not so unhealthy that I would consider putting him down at this time. His symptoms are just moderate lethargy and appetite loss. He is eating again and is more active but he has not bounced back completely. I would never give up on any pet this early in the process – we only got the diagnosis on Monday. He’s maybe a year older than one of my cats at home who has IDB and I’ve nursed her through easily a dozen flare-ups. The vet here has not treated nearly as aggressively as my vet at home, tomorrow I’ll take Shakespeare back in if I don’t see a better appetite and suggest more aggressive treatment.
mad citizen
New York City is a huge place, and has brought us great Americans like Lou Reed and Michael Bloomberg. Surely someone will take Shakespeare in.
We had years of 3/4 cats throwing up, excreting, etc., and have been enjoying our one cat who doesn’t do anything bad. I’d be tempted with Shakespeare if I lived in that area.
Maybe post on Kitten Academy (popular Youtube and website kitten channel). They are all about adopting out kittens, but who knows? They moved from IL to Connecticut, so are close to NYC I’m guessing.
Aleta
I trust that Deb S and Shakespeare’s vet are the right people to make good decisions for Shakespeare, since they know him and are smart and caring and experienced. A potential adopter will have his health info and his vet’s advice before making their decision.
Mnemosyne
Are there any rescues in NYC that specialize in special needs adoptions? They may be able to get the word out about this guy.
And, as always, I’m sure the jackals will be willing to pitch in for transportation and/or vet costs.
Nicole
Here’s a list of rescue places from the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC Animals webpage:
http://www.animalalliancenyc.org/adoption/groups.htm
debit
I adopted Kelpie knowing that she was: a senior dog, not house trained, blind and with neurological issues related to distemper as a puppy, and a cancer survivor with an estimated six months before it returned. The idea at the time was that she was essentially a hospice dog, and after a lifetime of neglect and then six months in a kennel at the Humane Society, she deserved a gentle end to her life in an actual home.
She survived two and a half years before I had to have her put to sleep. Not because of cancer, but because her neuro issues were getting progressively worse (she was falling and unable to get up, then finally unable to even get up most of the time).
I don’t regret adopting her, or the medical costs, or even the emotional ones. She was, despite all her issues, a bright and happy dog who brought smiles to everyone she met.
As satby pointed out, adoption is not easy and not always feasible in cases like Shakespeare’s. Nevertheless, if treatment is possible and his condition is stable, I hope someone can find a gentle place for him to land.
And, as always, I’m in for funds for vet care or transport.
Lord Fartdaddy (Formerly, Mumphrey, Smedley Darlington Mingobat, et al.)
I can still help getting him where he needs to go, as long as it’s somewhere I can drive to and back home from in a day.
It’s no big deal to drive up to Philadelphia or southern New Jersey and meet him, if somebody in Maryland, Delaware or Northern Virginia can take him.
ghost cat
I’ve emailed a few rescues in NYC that assist special needs cats and will let you know if any respond with offers to help.
http://www.citycritters.org/index.html
https://www.anjelliclecats.com/
https://frankiesfelinefund.org/
https://zanisfurryfriends.org/
https://poshpetsrescueny.org/
I’ll contact more as I find them.
JAFD
OK, I’m here in Newark. Am retired. Could take cat carrier on train, or possibly rent car and drive him away.
But schedule is complicated. Summoned for jury duty Monday, conference to attend week of 9th. Busy month.
Keep in touch.
Deb S
Thanks everyone.
Emma
Before we jump the gun on OMG bowel cancer, just know that vets usually give both those possibilities with cats that present those symptoms, just like how a doctor will tell you when you have symptoms that probably are something relatively minor, but it cooouuuld be cancer or something else bad. Covering all the bases. I’ve volunteered at a cat shelter for several years, and all the cats I’ve known with the IBS diagnosis have never turned out to have bowel cancer, for what it’s worth. And with IBS, the main thing is finding a diet that doesn’t irritate the GI system, maybe adding probiotics, but no scary meds I’ve encountered.
blackcatsrule
@Emma: Yes, thank you for saying this, it is so true. My little buddy has this and diet and love made a huge difference.
blackcatsrule
@Deb S: Thank you so much for looking out for this little guy at such a difficult time. I know it is not ideal, but if you consider a shelter the Animal Refuge League in Westbrook, ME is phenomenal. They will take care of his medical needs, assess him for compatibility with other cats/dogs/kids, and most of all, LOVE him until he can find his furever home.
Deb S
My mom passed away last night. I’m at the vet with Shakespeare now getting more aggressive meds and a tranquilizer for the trip. Hope to head back to Maine with him later this morning for what looks like a long drive in bad weather. He will still be up for adoption but now from the Blue Hill/Ellsworth area.
Thanks, everyone.
Emma
@Deb S: so sorry to hear that. Good luck with the trip, you and Shakespeare stay safe on the roads.
LuciaMia
Oh Deb, Im so sorry. All the best for you and Shakespeare.
Elizabelle
@Deb S: My condolences, Deb. I hope you will be safe and warm on your trip to Maine, and wish you all the best with Shakespeare.
I’d suspect you are a bit numb with all that has happened, but please stay in touch with us.
Again, so sorry about the loss of your mom.
debit
@Deb S: I’m so sorry, Deb.
Betty Cracker
@Deb S: So sorry to hear this. Best of luck to you and kitty.
Aleta
@Deb S: I’m very sorry.
You’re probably having a rough drive on the roads right now. If you need a cat friendly motel or home between Augusta and Ellsworth, or in Portland, to stay over, please leave a comment. Or else I hope you’re home or almost home.
tam1MI
@Deb S: I am so sorry to hear about your Mom’s passing. Safe journeys to you and Shakespeare.
RedDirtGirl
@Deb S: So sorry to hear that. Holding you in the light. My sister is up on Mt. Desert island. I’ll let her know about Shakespeare.
rikyrah
Deb:
so sorry about your mother’s passing. {{{{HUGS}}}
lurker dean
condolences, deb :( how you’re dealing with all this is incredible, i hope you get home safely and are able to decompress a bit. take care.
JAFD
I am sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. May she rest in peace, and her memory be a blessing.
Take care of yourself. This can be more stressful than it seems.
I really should have reached out more after my parents died, been less ‘stoical’.
Kristine
@Deb S: I am so sorry.
Safe journey to Maine.