Average Jane and Izzy

It's been nearly a year since we took in Izzy, née Sooty. Once we learned that he had chronic kidney disease, we pretty much gave up on the idea of getting someone else to take him. He's long since been assimilated into the household to live out his life as happily as possible.

We support his health with kidney supplements and all the meals he wants of his favorite food. He's at a reasonable weight under the circumstances and you wouldn't know he had health concerns if not for the fact that he pees quite a lot.

I've gotten several reminders this week that he's been with us for a year. The first was a postcard from the veterinarian's office associated with the shelter where he was discovered informing me that 24182036 was due for a rabies shot. It was a rather stark reminder that if not for the person who called him to my attention on Facebook last year, the poor numbered cat's number would have been up.

The woman who found him at the shelter and shared his story re-shared it on my Facebook wall this week. I'd forgotten how rough he looked in that early photo. He's looking much handsomer today.

Finally, my own vet's office sent me a reminder postcard about the same rabies shot, but they still have him in their system as Sooty. I'll correct their records when I call to make an appointment for this weekend.

There in no doubt in Izzy's mind that I am his person. He sleeps next to me every night and spends as much time on my lap as possible. Even the dog gets a little jealous of him and sometimes crowds him off my lap when he feels the cat has had enough of my attention.

He's really quite well-behaved except for occasionally testing the boundaries of my least social cat, Trillian. He and Dr. Jones sometimes play, and he enjoys catnip, toys and cardboard scratchers even though he doesn't have front claws.

Of course, you could say that he pushed our cat population from "too many" to "way too many." Or you could say that he raised the number from "numerous" to "what's one more?"

So Happy Gotcha Day, Izzy! I'm glad you're with us.

Comments

[Yvonne DiVita]

Oh Celeste! What a treasure you are. Not many people would take in a cat with kidney problems. I relate... while our Molly does not have health issues, she was 8 when her Mom had to give her up and if we had not taken her, I fear she would still be languishing at the shelter. People are not fond of adopting adult dogs or cats.

Izzy looks fabulous. Our Molly is totally Tom's cat. Which makes me want to get a kitty of my own. Hmmm....