My little palm helper: Tommy the blind rescue cat

[PalmatierMeg]

This afternoon I was taking photos for future topics when I was inspired to start this topic by my little palm helper. Next time you want to bring a pet into your home, consider adopting a rescue animal rather than buying your pet from a breeder or store. You won't be disappointed. And if you feel even more daring, consider opening your home to a handicapped animal.

We adopted our blind cat Tommy (the shelter was channeling the Who's rock opera) in August. The No-Kill shelter took him in from the county pound in Feb. to save him from euthanasia. I was drawn to his website mug shot because I am visually impaired. But what really swayed me was learning that the shelter had trouble placing him in its cat cottages because the other cats beat him up mercilessly (cats communicate to each primarily by sight, so a blind cat is unable to see and respond to visual cues, thus inviting a mauling). Shelter vets spent 6 months patching him up and injecting him with anti-anxiety meds. The first time we visited the shelter, the same huge cat clobbered him twice.

So we adopted him and he's been a delight (and put on an extra couple pounds to his scrawny frame). He patrols the house so expertly we can't tell he's blind. Only if startled or frightened does he sometimes run into objects. Not content to be an invalid, he has assigned himself the job of "supervisor". Wherever we go in the house, Tommy accompanies us and checks out changing the bed, folding clothes and, in my case, keeping tabs on what I'm doing with my potted palms on the back lanai. Today he supervised how I photographed several of my palms.

Of course, after all that hard work he has to clean up before taking a well-earned nap next to my husband in the recliner. See the photos below.

[DoomsDave]

Well!

Always nice to have a nice kitty around the house . . .

[Scot from SC]

Meg,

Bless you for taking Tommy into your home. It is incredible that he can do the things that he can considering his blindness. I am sure he adds a richness to your family. Animals and plants to me are a source of relaxation. I second your idea about adopting a pet from a shelter if possible.

Scot

[Palm crazy]

Meg

Thank goodness you saved that poor little tomcat. You have a big heart and I take my hat off to you… I’m a big cat lover too. He looks very happy next to your husband. Any idea how old he is?

[PalmatierMeg]

The shelter pegged him at 2 years old last Feb. so he should be about 3 this Feb. But he's grown during the 6 months he's been with us, so I wonder if he might be younger than we think. He had "radioactive" breath from gum disease so we had his mouth cleaned up; he lost 16 of his 30 teeth. The shelter couldn't afford that expense. We don't know where he spent his early years or why he was dumped at the pound because he couldn't have survived as a feral cat. Maybe the previous owner didn't want to pay to have his teeth cleaned - some people treat animals as throw-aways.

My husband thought we were getting him for me but he absolutely adores my husband like a toddler adores his daddy. Tommy sleeps close to him at every opportunity. He's not a lap sitter but needs to be touching, perhaps to feel safe. Our niece went to the same shelter last Nov. and adopted a 3-legged cat named Magnolia. She now runs that house. Their yellow lab just shakes it head.

[DoomsDave]

I got three out of four cats from the shelter. Cuddling by the fire.

Home is where the cats (and the palms) are.

[The Silent Seed]

Lovely! I have a few blobs myself!

[Kim]

Aw, what a sweet companion. I am so happy that Tommy found you.