Smog in the Garden



Back in September, I found a pathetic starving injured kitten stumbling alongside of the road. We kept him our bathroom, until he was strong enough to be exposed to other cats, and to nap in our garden. He was a bony, bald mess of a cat, who stumbled instead of walking. When we let him out of the bathroom, he would roam our house with a strange zombie-like intensity. He was terribly feeble, unstable and slow, but he'd never stop moving. We wondered at the time if the cat would ever display any personality. He seemed to exist in a sort of haze. This was one of the reasons it took so long to name him.

Because his pelvis had been so badly damaged, because he was starving, and because he was anemic from his flea infestation, Smog was incapable of using his hind legs normally. When he wanted to get up on our bed, or the couch, he would haul himself up with his front paws. It was almost scary to see him do this. For being so weak, he had a ferocious intensity. He was like a paraplegic mountain climber. It was freaky to watch.





Today, Robb was walking past our persimmon tree, and noticed that our chubby frisky kitten Smog had learned to climb trees. (Pardon the camera-phone picture) Smog was playing a spirited game of "Chase Me" with his Big Uncle Sleeves.

Smog has transformed into a hilarious playful teenager, and quite a cuddly ball of fluff. We'll never lose the joy of experiencing the improvement in this cat.

And, nope. Linguine still hasn't warmed up to him. Smog tries to snuggle up to her, and she producing the most uncanny repertoire of menacing growls. There's no fighting. Smog desperately wants to play, and Linguine just wants to be left alone.

Comments

Sarcasmo said…
Hats off to you guys for rehabilitating that kitten. He looks fantastic! I recently rescued a Boxer pup (BIIIG 7 mos old baby) who's owners had no time for her. I have also watched her gain weight, gain some confidence and learn to sit, shake and working on stay/wait. It's a great experience.
-Di
A/Q
Mel said…
Despite the camera phone fuzzies, he's got such an engaging Chesire cat sort of gaze. I'm so glad you're getting to enjoy him and his ambitious climbs!
Sue KuKu said…
I was so worried when Smog was stuck in the fence space by your neighbor's yard!

From my page per day cat calendar:

"I love cats because I enjoy my home, and little by little they become its visible soul." Jean Cocteau

KuKu
Anonymous said…
This guy we know from work gave one of our kittens a home. Our cats are climbing fools- our friends found out that the cat they got liked to climb up onto their roof, and their neighbor (a retired fire chief) would repeatedly call out his former firefighters to come "rescue" the cat from the roof- the cat thought the funny looking humans on the roof wanted to play and led them all on a merry chase. I suggest if your cat makes it to the top of the roof, or a tall tree, let it be- as the fire and police departments say "you never see a cat skeleton at the top of a tree". The fire department also like these calls as they seem to like saving critters as well as people!

Annalisa
Sheila said…
Wow, he looks so much better. Lucky cat to have found you!
Jamie said…
Thanks for the update on Smog...He barely looks like the same cat!!
Jamie said…
Thanks for the update on Smog...He barely looks like the same cat!!
You've done a great job with Smog Lisa. We had a similar emaciated rescue cat. Well, we still have the cat (he's 21 years old now), he's just not emaciated any more ;) He was diabetic, and got down to under 4lbs, but we fixed that. He isn't as strong as he used to be, and he's losing his sight, but he does do that 'pull-yourself-up-with-the-front-feet' maneuver, and you're right, it's freaky to watch, and often doesn't go well!
Lisa said…
Wow, I'm so impressed at his improvement, and kudos to you both for helping that along.

He's a lucky cat.

Lisa

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