Sammy came to me scared, scarred, and immensely feral. It was evident that she had a very difficult life in the wild before I took her in as a foster; she was ill, had parasites, and her scarring evidenced a lot of struggle. When I brought her into my home, she would run to the most secluded spot of the room, hide behind her fellow fosters Rue and Lil' Bro, and avoid any contact if possible. However, on the first day, she tolerated a bath after I brought her inside and found she had popped on herself. Even then, scared and feral, there was a glimmer of hope that she may one day come around and become an adoptable cat.
Three days before her scheduled spaying, Sammy had three healthy, beautiful and perfectly normal baby boy kittens. They have all been weaned off, placed into homes, given a clean bill of health, and are living happily with their new families.
Sammy was spayed on Monday, June 13th, 2011 with much success. However, she hadn't been eating and though she was still a tad uncomfortable from the surgery (and shots, and the experience altogether of even more change in her life), but she was still letting me pet her, she was still using the litterbox, and was otherwise in good shape.
On Sunday, June 19th, I found an open wound on one of Sammy's teats. I brought her to the veterinarian immediately, and she received excellent care. The following day, Monday, June 20th, 2011, I took her in that evening for a follow-up visit, where she was given further treatment, but I was advised that with care and continual first aid, she'd heal over time. Unfortunately, two days later on Wednesday, June 22nd, things took a turn for the worse and the infection had spread to two more of her teats, abscesses had formed, and the infection was rampant. It had spread to her entire abdomen, and though two surgeries, drain tubes and constant care may have provided her some relief, there was no guarantee that it would cure her altogether. Not to mention that after three consecutive visits to the vet had drained my resources, so taking on continual, extensive care that would only prolong her suffering seemed incredibly inhumane to her, and unbearable for me.
After consulting with the veterinarian and staff, personal friends and animal advocates, I felt it my responsibility to do the compassionate thing and release her from her suffering.
Her transition was very quick, she passed peacefully and without struggle, and with dignity.
This has been a heartbreaking experience, though amazing and rewarding to see how far she had come along in the three months that I had her. Sammy went from being homeless, ignored, threatened, without a family and sick, and transformed into the cat she always was, but never had the opportunity to be in the wild: free from threat, had a loving home, companionship, nutritious food, a clean place to go potty, and to come out of her shell and be affectionate, allow people to get close (and not just me - she loved on my friends, too!), and brought those lovely babies into this world.
Sammy struggled her entire life, but for three months, she knew happiness. I did my best to give her a clean slate, a fair chance, and a fresh start, and for a while, things were good.
I took on these fosters personally. I'm one woman, caring for their medical, nutritional, and day-to-day needs out of my own pocket. Sammy's care was all in love, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
However, right now, I am personally exhausted of all resources, and I'm not a woman to ask unless it's a last resort. It is, at this point.
I'm asking for any help to help me recover financially from this undertaking, and any proceeds go toward my debt from the veterinary care. If there's any left over, it's going toward charity in Sammy's name.
Please help out if you can.
Thank you!
