A True Tail of Survival |
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T.L.C. – Hmmm, what could that be? Tender loving care, or a Three-Legged Cat with legs one, two and three? The first time I saw him from my kitchen window my heart went out to him. There, hobbling across the street, was an orange tabby cat and it appeared as though his back left foot was missing and what was left of his leg was badly infected. I couldn't believe he had survived the injury. I could only imagine the pain and discomfort he endured on a daily basis. He lived, or should I say survived, this way for over a year before I was able to rescue him. My neighbor told me she had seen the same cat almost a year prior with his bad leg. I started noticing him early in the morning or late at night, scrounging around for food. I started putting food out when I would see him. He was so afraid that it would sometimes take more than an hour for him to get brave enough to come back and eat. I would try and get a better look at him as he ate. He would take off running in fear if he hea On the rare occasion when I would get the chance to look him in the eyes, I could see the pain and suffering he endured every day. But there was something else too. There was a sweetness and a desire to live. It touched me deeply. There was so much life in those eyes, regardless of what had happened to him. I knew I was on a mission. That night I decided it was time he have a name and before I could even finish the thought, it came to me. Three Legged Cat...T.L.C. And that's how he became "Mr. TLC". He obviously needed a lot of tender loving care as well, so what better name than that! The following day, I contacted Animal Control and asked to borrow a trap. I set the trap the same night. After a few hours of tossing and turning I tip-toed to the window to see if "TLC" was out there. Sure enough, there he sat on the driveway. It was as if I could see the question mark above his head as he contemplated going into the trap for the food. I knew I had to leave him be to make his decision. I somehow managed to fall asleep and when I woke in the morning I went straight to the kitchen and peered out the window to see if he was in the trap. There he was! I couldn't believe it. I wasn't sure what to expect but I'm sure we were equally nervous about what lie ahead. I slowly opened the door and sat quietly on the top step as I talked softly to him, constantly assuring him that it was going to be ok. I had to wait for the vet's office to open and while I got ready for the short trip, I had to prepare myself for the worst. I drove to the vet's office breathing through the top of my shirt. The odor the cat gave off was horrendous. I truly believe infection would have ended his life more than likely sooner than later had I not gotten to him when I did. I walked into the vet's office and was not prepared for the reaction I received. I had spoken to the girls behind the desk prior to capturing Mr. TLC and told them my plan. I guess no-one informed the vet. She was not pleased that a "feral" cat was brought into her office. In my eyes he was not feral, he was fearful. I understood the cat would have to be sedated in order to be examined. I left TLC in their care and headed for work. I received the phone call later that afternoon from the vet. She suggested Mr. TLC be put down but really didn't give me a reason. I couldn't believe it! After all he had been through and to have someone tell me he needed to be put down was not acceptable to me. He had too much life in his eyes. My heart told me "no". I instructed the vet to test him for all diseases and until I had the results, I just couldn't agree with her. It didn't take long for the results to come back. They were negative! There was nothing wrong with this cat except for the badly infected leg that needed to be removed. I told her I wanted a second opinion. I had to make arrangements for someone to pick up the cat and get him to the local Animal Emergency Hospital. A good friend of mine was available and jumped at the opportunity to help. He called me from the Animal Hospital with the good news. After an extensive examination and three more rounds of testing, they decided the cat would be fine once the bad leg was amputated. The surgery took place the following day and I was allowed to take Mr. TLC home with me the day after that. When I picked him up at the hospital, he already looked so much better. He had been cleaned up, neutered, and was given all his shots. He had no more fleas, no more bad leg, no more bad smell. I still hadn't touched him and I wondered how he would react to me once I got him home. When I arrived home with him, I sat his carrier down on the living room floor and encouraged my other two cats, Amber & Savannah, to get acquainted with him while I prepared the spare room. I placed food and water and a litter box in the room and put up a baby gate in the doorway. I then placed Mr. TLC, still in his carrier, in the room and gave him some quiet time to adjust to his new surroundings. I had opened the door to the carrier and constantly went in to reassure him that everything was ok and there was nothing to be afraid of anymore. I spent an hour or so going in and out of the room and then brought him some food. He ate hungrily and seemed to have relaxed a bit. I figured now was as good a time as any. As I talked softly to him I slowly slid my hand over his head and started scratching behind his ears. He seemed to like this very much and within seconds he stretched one paw in front of him and then the other and slowly came out of the carrier. The next thing I knew he was trying to climb onto my lap as he rubbed his precious little face against my chin, all the while drooling and purring in contentment. Tears of joy streamed down my face. All he wanted was to be loved. His gratitude for what I had done for him poured out in buckets. TLC now has full run of the house and plays like there is no tomorrow. I often wonder if he thinks he has died and gone to heaven. He has definitely come to the right place! Smack dab in the middle of my heart. To be updated on Mr. TLC's progress and his latest adventures watch this space...PHOTO GALLERY updated weekly.
See T.L.C. live via Skype. If you have a Skype account (which is FREE), you can contact TLC via Skype. E-mail me at tlc3legs@bellsouth.net
Personal donations, memorial gifts, wedding favors and honor gifts can also be made. Once you've made a donation, you can send TLC an e-mail with a photo of you and/or your pet to be posted as a supporter on his Photo Gallery. Meowy Thanks! |
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rd me at the window. For about a week I spent many nights on the screened porch with video camera in hand to try and get a better look at his leg 
