Bumpus

So I've been sick with a cold. (AGAIN)   I've had like three colds this year - one a month - which is highly unusual for me.

Because of this I've been more tired then normal.  In fact as I write this it's just after 9:00 pm which... in light of last week's time change - could still be considered 8 pm... and I'm tired.    Thus I've spent a few nights reading in bed.    I dug out some of my "Chicken soup for the soul" books and have been going back over the wonderful short stories.    I came across one in the "for the cat & dog lover's Soul" book that made me go "OH THIS ONE!"    This story is one of the reasons why I am AGAINST euthanizing injured animals just because they are injured and the owner/shelter thinks they can't afford it - or think they understand suffering.   Animals CAN (with the right care and love) live through horrendous injures and still live productive quality lives.    Obviously there is always an exception, and there are extreme examples out there (and I shutter to think of them.)  Also - I know sometimes people can't afford it.  (BUT many people who say they can't really can - and have thousands of electronics in their homes or a high mortgage or fancy cars)

 But this is one story where lots of people would have thought this cat had hit that extreme injury mark.  And I want people to think twice.  

As this story is no doubt copyrighted, this is a synopsis... or paraphrase (not sure which term to use.

Bumpus was a large cat with long orange fur found by firefighters on Father's Day in 1996.   He had lived through a wildfire.  He was badly scorched and barely alive.   When the vet saw this cat - he cried - he had never seen an animal with such extensive injuries.   But still this cat purred when touched.  

Most other places would have put this cat down - "ease his suffering"   but not this place - they gave him a chance.

He lost his rear paws and all his front toes and it was thought he would not live long.   But the cat survived, and fought, and struggled to learn to walk again - which he did.

He was friendly and spirited and helped raise the spirits of the rescuers.

One of the volunteers - who happens to share my name, :)  fell in love with him and adapted him.

After awhile - she fostered some injured kittens.   Now this is where it gets interesting.   Two of the kittens had to have one of their legs amputated.   One, a female - had no problems - she charged out of her carrier raced across the room and jumped on the bed without a care.   But her brother- became depressed.   Now to be honest I have NEVER heard of this happening.   All the stories I've ever read/heard about a cat or dog losing a leg has been they quickly adapted to it - so I was surprised.

He had trouble walking and would either hide or bite things out of frustration.  

The kittens were originally isolated from the rest of the household, but Sharon wondered what would happen if she let Bumpus - who had been through this - have access to the kitten.

So she opened the door.

When Bumpus heard the kitten crying - he ran right to him.   He walked right up to him and wrapped his paws around the kitten and rubbed his head against the kitten's head and licked his face.   The kitten started to purr.  

The kitten was able to warm up to the love of another cat - a larger version of himself (both were orange)  rather then a human.   Bumpus' attention on the kitten allowed him to recover and eventually find a new home.

After that whenever Sharon takes in problem foster kittens - she lets Bumpus work his magic on him.   Bumpus also became a therapy cat for humans - she takes him to the hospital where he helps children.

This never would have happened had the vets, when they first saw him - decided for him that he wouldn't have the quality of life they believed he should and put him down.

There is more then the injuries or sickness in an animal to consider, it is their will to live.


- Well now it's almost 10 so I'm going to sign off.
Night.