My most-recent addition (and Petfinder alumna!) has not had an easy life. Adopted from Friends of Homeless Animals of Northern NJ, 10-year-old Gretel is missing an eye and part of an ear, is FIV positive and had been shifted through several homes due to unforeseeable tragedies.
Gretel joined my senior-focused household in March and shares the space with a tabby named Lucy (adopted at the age of 18) and a 13-year-old German Shepherd mix named Dexter (adopted at age 10).
While Gretel seemed to fit in seamlessly (she LOVES Dexter), something was brewing underneath. Her blood work kept coming back anemic and finally two ultrasounds determined she had mast cell tumors in her spleen. Shortening a very long story, off we went to see the fine folks at NYC Veterinary Specialists.
After Gretel had consultations with the oncology and surgical departments
(and did all three bodily functions in the car while driving through the
Lincoln Tunnel), she had her spleen removed on Thursday.
The surgery went off seamlessly and she's ready to come home by Friday evening. She's back to eating like a horse and harassing her cat-sister. While we're still waiting on further test results to come in, so far all looks well.
Despite being down an eye, an ear, an immune system and a spleen, Gretel takes it all in stride and is just happy to have a home with a windowsill where she can people watch. She even wanted to show off her splenectomy incision for the camera. Senior pets are the best!
Thank you PETFINDERS, and the great people who staff your organization.
Together, you made it possible for us to find the best home ever for Gretel, and even reached the family who was touched by tragedy, that led to Gretels homelessness.
Every day you make it possible for miracles for pets just like Gretel.
Thank you again for all the magic you generate for pets.
Sincerely,
Linda
Friends of Homeless Animals of No. NJ, Inc.
I want to thank you so much for the great care Gretel has been
given. She was my daughters cat. My daughter & husband were killed in an accident almost a year ago, I was so pleased when my neice Heidi said she would take the cat & find her a home. My heart was so heavy before that, as each time I would go to my daughters house to do what I had to do, the cat would come to me crying. There was no way I could bring her to my apartment, or I would have.
Thank You to ALL of you for taking care of this special cat. I know God will Bless you all for it. Loretta