We like to share this story around Thanksgiving to remember a very special little boy named Taylor! Written by Taylors mom, Michelle While all of my cats are very special, Taylor is receiving a little extra attention because he is truly my miracle boy. His story is quite unbelievable, as well as inspirational. He is very bravely fighting oral cancer and its cathartic for me to tell his story and remember what an exceptional, brave little soul he is. He is living proof that we can get through any obstacle with happiness, some laughs, and a good attitude. In 1994, I moved into an apartment complex that was inhabited by a tremendous feral cat colony. People would move out of the apartments and leave their unaltered cats behind, thus creating a colony of almost one hundred cats. Over a period of five years, myself and a friend spayed/neutered and rehomed as many of the cats as we could. Some were tame enough to find great indoor homes; others were relocated to barns. Relocation of ferals is a last resort, but due to the amount of cats in this one area and its proximity to a major highway, relocation was a good option. When I moved out of the apartment complex into my home, there were a few cats left in the colony. I could not leave behind these cats who were dependent on us for food and shelter, so we rented a U-Haul and all moved to our new home. My once feral cats learned to live safely indoors as a family. Sometimes life throws you a curve ball and you just have to go with it! Taylor was one of the cats who moved with me. Taylor originally came to me as a kitten. He arrived in December of 1994 with his cat mom and dad. He was a little guy and very friendly, so we found him what we thought was a good home. Despite all of our reference checking and the home check we did, Taylor did not end up in a good home. One night, I looked out my apartment window to find Taylor dumped on my doorstep, in the cold. He was very skinny, and, for some reason, shaved. We immediately took him to an emergency vet where, luckily, nothing was wrong with him that TLC and a few good meals wouldnt cure. We went to the home of the people who adopted Taylor to talk to them, but their house was cleared out and they were gone. The only kindness they provided Taylor was dumping him back on my doorstep. After his horrible ordeal, we decided that Taylor would not be adopted out again, but would stay with me. Something terrible turned into something wonderful -- I cant imagine my life without Taylor. He was a happy, healthy kitten and developed into a strong grown-up. But, one day, I found him laying on his side, crying in pain. Taylor was blocked -- he had to be rushed to emergency vet where they were able to unblock him, but that evening it happened again - and the next day, and the next day. It was obvious that Taylor needed more help, so he had a Perineal Urethrostomy, which literally saved his life. He made it through the surgery like a trooper. The day for his stitches to be removed arrived and Taylor was given a local anesthetic. Within an hour, Taylor fell into a coma; he had a rare reaction to the anesthetic. I was told by the vet to put him to sleep because he would not wake up. I refused to believe that my little guy went through so much, and survived it all, only to be taken by something so stupid! I sat with Taylor every day and held his paw. The people in the vet office looked at me like I was crazy, but I honestly did not care. Taylor was not dying in a coma. Whenever Id say his name, his paw would move and knead in my hand. Finally, he woke up. But -- he was blind. I was told by the vet that this would be a permanent condition due to the coma, but I didnt believe it. Id read about temporary loss of vision and knew if anyone came out of blindness it would be my Taylor. And he did. His sight came back in two days. Now, at the age of 16, Taylor has been diagnosed with Oral Cancer. It is the same horrible disease that took his mom, Bruiser, and sister Casper. He was diagnosed right before Thanksgiving, 2010, and given days to a week to live. Its now New Years Eve and Taylor just ate his lunch. Hes relaxing on the couch with his cat family and sitting on his favorite green poofy blanket that belonged to his dad Ginger. I know this is his final battle -- I accept that. I think he does, too. But hes fighting as hard as he always has and has already beaten the odds. Most important, hes enjoying his life despite his illness. Whatever happens, whenever Taylor decides that it is time to go, I am already blown away by his strength and will to live. He has brought me more joy in the past 16 years than words can explain and I hope Ive done the same for him. Whenever you come across a hopeless case, remember my Taylor and know that happiness, laughter, and love can be found in the most hopeless circumstances. Sometimes, thats the best place to find all three. I love you Taylor, forever. Love, Mommy xo *Taylor passed away on February 23, 2011. I was with him along with the rest of his family and his doctor, Dr. Anna. Before he passed, I kissed his head and told him, You made it, dude! And he did.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 02:48:22 +0000