In March, 2000 our local shelter called to see if we would take a long-haired flame calico named Missy into our Older Cat Program. We were new to sheltering and already had our hands full with the 8 cats we had already rescued. Since Missy was "young" by our standards -- only 7 years old -- I suggested they place Missy up for adoption and if, after a reasonable time period, no one adopted her to let us know. The Director hesitated because they had 4- and 5-year olds that no one would adopt, but agreed to try anyway. Two weeks later I got the call to pick her up -- Missy had an upper respiratory infection so they could no longer house her in the adoption shelter. If we would take her, they would not euthanize her. Cats, like people, often develop colds when they get stressed out and, although they are normally treatable with SQ fluids, antibiotics and hand-feeding, many shelters euthanize them instead saving the extra cost, time and attention needed to cure them.
We nursed Missy back to health and put her to work through our Older Cats for Older People foster program. Her first assignment was to provide love and attention to a house-bound elderly woman living alone. Missy would live with her so long as the woman wanted her there and could provide Missy with love and care. Since her daughter lived next door we felt this would be a good foster -- and had our own volunteer visiting them monthly to make sure.
Missy proved to be a good match and they lived happily together for more than three years. When the woman's health diminished, her kids moved her to a nursing home and returned Missy to us. A few months later the woman passed away. At the funeral home Missy's 8x10 photo was prominently displayed on the casket -- testifying to their strong, emotional bond.
Missy stayed with us for a few months before finding a new assignment. This time she was fostered to a geriatric married couple living in a retirement community. The wife suffered from Alzheimer's and shortly after Missy moved in, the husband had a serious stroke. But with the help of their adult children, the apartment staff, and our visiting volunteer, Missy was able to stay with them and provide them with someone to love and care for.
A year ago we took Missy in for her annual physical, the blood work pointed to liver disease. To control it meant taking daily medication, which the couple could not reliably give, so we brought her back with us for treatment.
Now 16 years old, Missy is retired from active duty, but I think she misses her role as Queen Bee although she has many fond memories of the people that were in her care. Her liver disease is well-controlled through mediciation and we hope to enjoy her company for many more years to come.
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