Mercedes comes home

Some weeks ago we read about a 20-yr old cat at the NEGAS shelter in GA. She had been cared for by the same couple her whole life and as they got older, they could no longer care for her. Their daughter came to settle their affairs and that included dumping Mercedes at NEGAS.

We watched her saga carefully, praying someone would adopt this poor cat who had obviously been treasured and well-cared for her whole long life. I had high hopes that her vet would take her since he said she was the best old cat he'd ever seen, health-wize, but no go. We waited and we watched and then she was listed as urgent and we knew. We knew there was no way we were going to let her die in NEGAS.

So, we contacted Barb at WCR and said we'd take her. Barb pulled her and got transport for her down to Griffin, and we began planning the long 800+ mile trip from Central PA to GA. We left on Friday afternoon (Oct 23) and 1700 miles & 28hrs of driving over 2 1/2 days later, Mercedes, two black kittens bound for Wisconsin, and two other cats we adopted from WCR (it's cat math - y'all understand. They're all fixed, but they multiply, it's amazing. Ferret Math is the same way. Defies the laws of nature, it does.) came home with us.

Mercedes' vet visit last week said possible kidney failure, which, if it turns out to be true, is not a surprise. We went into this knowing the trauma and stress of the ordeal might kill her, but at least she will die in a home where she is loved and cherished as she has been her whole life. She has an appt w/ my vet this Thur and I will be running blood work to check her kidney/liver/CBC etc to see where we stand.

Right now I have her in a large crate with a cat house, litterbox, food and water and I have it covered with a blanket so she will feel secure. She refused all food and water the whole 14-hr trip back to PA so I gave her sub-q fluids when we got home. I gave her more this morning, and she even ate a little bit of food, which is a very good sign.

It is understandable that she is confused and scared and has no idea what has happened to her. We will keep her in the crate until she relaxes and begins to show signs of wanting to be let out. We'll let her tell us when she is ready. Right now, all she wants to do is hide in the cat house and she growls and nips at us when we try to handle her. She will need much patience and time. We have the patience, and we will give her the best shot she has at having the time.