For the love of cats
Taz's Tale
by Steve Bunker
Steve Bunker 
The first time My wife and I set eyes on Taz at the veterinarian's adoption center, we fell in love with him. He was a skinny little yellow tabby kitten who couldn't take 2 steps without falling down. It turned out that he had some neurological damage due to birth difficulties, and his legs seldom did what he wanted them to do, and it didn't help the situation that he was cross-eyed! But he tried his best to keep people from helping him. His attitude seemed to be "I'd rather do it myself! Even if it does take a bit longer". What a kitty!
We decided right then and there to take him home with us. The vet's adoption coordinator knew that we were capable from prior fostering cases, so there was no trouble adopting this special needs boy.
He seemed to really hate to accept help, and insisted on doing everything he could for himself. We did have to steady him when he ate and drank, or he'd wind up with his face buried in the food or water.
About the only time he'd accept help was when we picked him up to hold on our laps in the evening. He loved that.
We kept working with him day after day. Her never did really get full control over his body, but he DID learn that when he heard the refrigerator door open, he could get a treat of ham, turkey, fish, or whatever "people food" happened to be there. And he would race down the hallway to the kitchen, bouncing off the walls all the way, to get his treat.
We finally gave him up to Best Friends in Kanab, UT, a cat rescue organization with about 600-700 cats, and a special section for "special needs" kitties.
They named him Julius (like Orange Julius, I guess) and he eventually became their official greeter, welcoming guests to the facility.
We are very glad that we had the opportunity to know him. We learned a lot about courage and determination from him. He has since departed this life, but we are confident that he is waiting for us at the Rainbow Bridge, playing in fields of grass and chasing butterflies.
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Mar 2nd 2008 18:36
The first time My wife and I set eyes on Taz at the veterinarian's adoption center, we fell in love with him. He was a skinny little yellow tabby kitten who couldn't take 2 steps without falling down. It turned out that he had some neurological damage due to birth difficulties, and his legs seldom did what he wanted them to do, and it didn't help the situation that he was cross-eyed! But he tried his best to keep people from helping him. His attitude seemed to be "I'd rather do it myself! Even if it does take a bit longer". What a kitty!
We decided right then and there to take him home with us. The vet's adoption coordinator knew that we were capable from prior fostering cases, so there was no trouble adopting this special needs boy.
He seemed to really hate to accept help, and insisted on doing everything he could for himself. We did have to steady him when he ate and drank, or he'd wind up with his face buried in the food or water.
About the only time he'd accept help was when we picked him up to hold on our laps in the evening. He loved that.
We kept working with him day after day. Her never did really get full control over his body, but he DID learn that when he heard the refrigerator door open, he could get a treat of ham, turkey, fish, or whatever "people food" happened to be there. And he would race down the hallway to the kitchen, bouncing off the walls all the way, to get his treat.
We finally gave him up to Best Friends in Kanab, UT, a cat rescue organization with about 600-700 cats, and a special section for "special needs" kitties.
They named him Julius (like Orange Julius, I guess) and he eventually became their official greeter, welcoming guests to the facility.
We are very glad that we had the opportunity to know him. We learned a lot about courage and determination from him. He has since departed this life, but we are confident that he is waiting for us at the Rainbow Bridge, playing in fields of grass and chasing butterflies.
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Mar 2nd 2008 18:36
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Comments
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Arthur Webster
 Just plain honestyHi, Steve, If only more people could see the value of being owned by a small furry animal! My latest owner, Chap, is a non-descript white dog. Because of a cataract in his right eye, he is virtually blind on that side - a situation I shared until quite recently. One of the amusing aspects of walking with him was that we would tend to walk into the same things! Mar 3rd 2008 02:58 |
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Steve Bunker
he he, I enjoyed your post about Chap. I had a dog who lost an eye. his name was Bandit. He actually lost the eye after we adopted him. We had just moved to Utah, and one morning we woke up and found him on our doorstep! When my wife opened the door, he just looked in and looked around and walked right into the house, as if to say, "Yep! I think this place will do" he he He was really a good dog.I wish we could post pics here in the message section. If you haven't already seen my website. You have an open invitation to visit and read Princess' Story. I think it's in my sig, but, if not, it's: http://www.freewebs.com/petrescuesupport Mar 3rd 2008 09:43 |
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Margaret Elmendorf
Steve, love the story of Taz. You are a super person, to take care of that kitty. Great story. Mar 5th 2008 16:20 |
That's a great story! Thanks for posting
Mar 2nd 2008 20:22