My two-week walkabout seemed to fly by, a joyful blur of driving and mountains and sunsets and writing and Giants baseball and solitude and theater and books. The only negative was this nagging heartache I had that Big Mike was shut away in a pet hospital after his surgery, almost certainly in pain and wondering where the hell I was.
Almost daily texts with a very tolerant Dr. Sue assured me that he was doing fine. And when I picked him up yesterday, she reiterated that he had taken well to the surgical procedure and was mending well. When asked if she could hazard a timeline for his being healed enough for adoption, she shocked me by saying, “optimistically, one month. Probably closer to Christmas.” After five months of his moving forward by mere inches, this seemed like an Olympic long jump. Still, she cautioned, he has a ways to go yet.
(Given Sue’s penchant for modesty, I was lucky to run into her assistant Carrie on my way out. “Did you see??” she enthused. “The skin grafts are really working! It’s amazing!” My heart again leapt up.)
My heart also cracked a bit to see him in his cage. His leg is now in a solid cast, as if it were broken, and if he knew me he was too bashful or anxious to show recognition, and merely curled up in the fetal position as he used to do when feeling scared. But within an hour of being home, he was open to cuddles and purring, and by later in the afternoon, he was standing behind the bathroom door demanding more food and attention. Today, he was his usual affectionate self – tho clearly wiped out and not wanting to stand for too long – and it’s hard to get any work done for wanting to lavish him with time and attention.
Realizing it could take a while to find his perfect home, I put his first video on Youtube – something I never do unless I have a kitty ready for adoption. I have heard that special needs / physically challenged kitties actually have an easier time getting homes, but in case it takes me a couple of months, I thought I should start showing the world his gorgeous charms. Note toward the end when I ask him a question and he chirps. That’s how human he is and how connected we are.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVMyxFAHHaE&feature=youtu.be
St. Francis, thank you for watching over my sweet boy and helping him heal. I look for your guidance in finding him the perfect home with someone loving and gentle and kind. I won’t settle for less. But not too soon – it will take me a while to detach and prepare myself for saying goodbye.