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| Rufus, the Formerly Feral Feline. |
All of our cats are (and have been) rescues of one sort or another, but Rufus is unique in that he's the only one who volunteered to become an indoor cat.
He'd been coming to the food bowl we put out for the neighborhood ferals for a couple of years. And then he turned up one day with an enormous abscess on his right cheek. He sat down and waited for us to bring a carrier out.
All through his recovery--and he needed multiple surgeries to remove all of his teeth--Rufus was amazingly helpful and courteous, taking his medications without protest and making no effort to escape.
When he turned out to be FIV-positive, we made the decision to bring him into our clowder, and it's worked out beautifully.
He's not much of a reader, but he often visits me in my office while I'm writing and force me to take petting breaks.
Rufus is especially fond of heavy metal, and often leans against the subwoofer when I put some on as writing music.
10 comments:
That is a wise feline who knows where to go for help!
I'd take him in too.
I love that look, it says: see to my needs...now!
What a clever kitty (almost wrote pussy but I corrected myself to Americanese) to know which house to pick for help.
Am I the only one who wants to know who all these precious critters live with? Thank you, Rufus's person, for stepping up to help this boy when he was suffering with an abscess. He sure is a handsome fella.
I'm with AJ. That is a look of...you are in my power hooman...you will feed me hooman...feed me...feed me...
[Raising hand] I'm Rufus' hoomin. Or rather, my wife and I are.
Actually, nightsmusic, that's the "you will rub my tummy" look. The "feed me" is similar, but comes with a grunty little noise.
Rufus is still one of the politest, most considerate cats I've ever known. He rarely demands food before dinner time. He does start nudging us when it's time, but quietly. And, of course, he has to have his cuddles before eating.
How and what does Rufus eat?
"With his mouth..."
No, but seriously, mostly he gets wet food, and he's learned to handle it relatively well--very little spillage. But he loves the krunchiez and demands a small serving every day, which he gums a bit before swallowing.
(For the record, every Friday I blog about the cats who share my home. Y'all are welcome to drop by. Early posts about Rufus' transition from neighbor to house guest to resident may be found
here,
here,
here,
here, and
here.)
Last week, my daughter Liz had to put down Theo, one of her two cats, after giving him five years of constant medication and treatment for diabetes. Liz told me that Cooper, Theo’s brother, quietly hovered around Theo during the failing cat’s last few hours before the final trip to the veterinarian. There was no doubt in Liz's mind that Cooper sensed the seriousness of the situation. Now Cooper wanders the house, looking for his friend and playmate.
My sympathies to Liz and Cooper. Always the hardest day.
Casey, I love that story. Lucky Rufus to have you to take care of him, and lucky you to have the pleasure of his company.
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