On the subject of Chatty (Part 2)

(continued from Part 1)

Our girl was diagnosed with a fractured pelvis, a direct result of a car hit. The vet said that of all the things that could have gone wrong on impact, her type of fracture was probably the most easily treatable type as it involved no operation but strict cage rest for at least 6 weeks; restricted movement was the key. Ironically, her agility and her light frame had worked in her favour to minimise the damage.

It took me a few minutes to realise and start dreading what lay ahead: the cat that would not stop meowing when she got bored or frustrated or simply wanted attention, had to come back to Catcuddles and spend the better part of two months in a crate!

Yet, once again, Chatty surprised us all. She was the model patient. We put her crate in the main living room so she could be in the centre of all activity for much of the day. She would only be heard when she was hungry or early in the morning when she could hear me up and about but not yet with her downstairs. She kept a low profile all the way to the end of the 6 weeks, by which time someone had become a big fan of our bengal girl.

Chatty had been spotted by a lovely just-retired gentleman with a 15 year old tabby boy, a long time cat lover. He came to visit when Chatty was in her crate, then kept calling to see how she was getting on with her recovery. Once Chatty was all healthy and strong again, the decision had to be made. A home visit had to be done and I had to do it. The rest  happened on automatic pilot, so I did not have to think too much or process the homing emotionally. All I had to do is remember that Chatty was happy at Catcuddles, but she was obviously not safe. She was too adventurous and the busy road was a bit too close...

Today, a good three months after Chatty's successful homing, she is still in my mind. I wonder whether she remembers her stay at Catcuddles. We are due to pay her a visit at her new home. I hear she is settled, has been proven -yet again- to be a very smart cookie, very lovable and is really not meowing much anymore; keeping her dad great company and co-habitating peacefully with the other family feline.

A happy ending one would say, however bitter-sweet it may be to me. I wish her wholeheartedly a long, happy, healthy, car-free life... I will be keeping an eye on her.