Elam

Way back in 2004 I was nothing but bones and a bit of skin stretched over them. Bad eye even back then, but I just tried to keep it closed- don't even remember anymore how I got it.  Fleas everywhere, but hey it wasn't my fault!  A little embarrassing I know.

I hung around a house where they tossed out leftovers once in a while, but really the pickin's were slim. I did have one friend, his name was Salem . He was worse off than me, but he at least had two eyes and could spot that food as soon as it hit the ground. He was usually on it in a heartbeat and since I was his bud, I got to get a few bites of it too. That is how I survived- because of Salem and the bugs.

Then one day, Salem was gone. My best friend! Where was he??

Not long after Salem disappeared, I was trapped and taken to a place people talked to me in soft voices.. I began to fade out.....but there! In my dreams….did I see Salem ????

When I woke up I was wrapped up in a blanket and feeling a bit groggy. What the heck, my bottom hurt and so did my ear. I knew it - they were Aliens!  Well, my eye felt better anyway. Maybe they used their magic radar on it.

When the next day arrived, the door to my prison opened and guess who arrived to make things all better!! It was Salem ! Wow! It's all ok now.... World is complete.  Someone just like me.

Postscript:

Salem and Elam lived as clinic cats because they had too many medical issues from their years of malnutrition and neglect. They were fairly social and became more so. Salem passed from the effects of his hard life soon after but had a wonderful 8 months where he was loved and nurtured and his belly was always full.

Elam missed him terribly and we had to give him time to mourn his loss and a lot of extra attention. He has lived at CTCH for the last four years and is the Official Greeter. His right eye was removed and he has no teeth, but make no mistake, he is BossMan. He wears his tie with aplomb and good taste.  You may find him waiting to check you out at the reception area and if you are a good listener and have a calm way, he might just tell you some of his tales of adventure. More probably though he will merely look at you with his one half-good eye- sizing you up I am sure- and go curl up with his newest friend, Chessie, on a nice, comfy pillow, to snooze the afternoon away.

I think he is dreaming of the good life now and in his way, thanking all of us at Central Texas Cat Hospital for making a difference in his life.... although we still think he believes we are Aliens....

This Happy Ending brought to you by Central Texas Cat Hospital.

Zeta

When Zeta was rescued by Shadow Cats from the Z Tejas restaurant area (hence her name- Zeta) and brought into CTCH for care, she knew in that instant that Dr. Smith meant the difference between life and for her and that she has never forgotten.

So if you notice a gorgeous long haired cat sitting quietly in Dr. Smith's chair or resting calmly next to him, you'll know who it is, and that she was rescued from the street life and is repaying her guardian with devotion. 

Make no mistake, this is an independent and headstrong and she does not feel that way about the rest of us!

Chessie

Chessie was found at an apartment complex very sick.  Her eyes were matted closed and her body was one big scab.  With the care and kindness of Central Texas Cat Hospital Chessie was diagnosed with mange and treated with a series of Lyme sulfa dips.

Her fur coat will never be lush again, but she is a very happy cat these days.  Still a little shy around people but with a little coaxing and gentleness she loves to be pet and loves attention.

Chessie has also found a new love here at Central Texas Cat Hospital, his name is Elam.  Elam is the hospitals Official Greeter and now apparently Chessie's Official Boyfriend.  On most days you can find them both snuggled up together on the couch in the reception area.

Iris

I had lots of brothers and sisters and we were all sick when we first came to Central Texas Cat Hospital though Shadow Cats. We had lots of things going on, but we knew one thing at least, we were lucky!  A Shadow Cats volunteer found us and decided we needed help bad!  So she scooped us all up and helped us get the care we all needed. Everyone got much better and eventually everyone found their own purrfect home, all except me.

My name is Iris and I am the last one left here.  No one picked me. I know I was the tiniest of the litter and I had some issues, but really, they weren’t such big deals! My eyes are a little cloudy because of the terrible respiratory infection we had and now although they may look ‘funny’.   I can see just fine, thank you very much!  I play and run and do everything just like any other kitty.  Being so sick when I was little has kept me small. Everyone thinks I am about six months old!  I am really about two years old!

Tumblelina

Tumblelina was found as a fully grown cat so we do not know her true age. She has been with Dr. Smith through the making of 2 hospitals in his career.

Little “Tumby” is a good girl. You will never find her getting into trouble. “Tumby” never has any trouble with any other cat in the hospital. Mostly you will find her up on top of something that produces warmth, such as a computer or a printer. She is very affectionate but never in the way. I guess some may call her a loner. Who knows, maybe this is the reason she was found where she was. 

She was found one night in the middle of a vast parking lot in Dallas. No cars, no anything just lone little “Tumby”. Dr. Smith scooped her up and brought her home to his hospital in Austin. She lived at the hospital in Austin for at least 6 years then she moved with him to his new hospital, Central Texas Cat Hospital here in Round Rock.

Tumblelina may be a very small but you will notice her name is “Tumblelina” or “Tumby” not “Thumbelina”. Well when Dr. Smith brought her back he observed that whenever “Tumby” was being petted she would begin to roll around where ever she was. She would often get so carried away at showing you how cute she was that she would just “tumble” right to the floor from where ever she had been perched.

Sebastian

Sebastian came to CTCH through Shadow Cats and their Trap, Neuter and Return program. He, along with his brother Harley and sister Sabrina were trapped nearly 3 years ago. These sweet cats were not released back into their environment. Instead they went into foster care and became docile love monkeys.

Harley and Sabrina were adopted but before Sebastian had a chance to find his forever home he became violently ill from a viral infection. His legs swelled, his joints hurt, and his once plump body became emaciated. Despite intensive treatment, he continued his downward spiral. 

Sebastian steadily became very ill, but when he lifted his head and looked at you with those great amber eyes, he seemed to be saying, "Hold on! Wait! Give me a chance!" So that is what we did.

Now would you look at our sweet, very healthy boy? You are sure to see him hanging out at the front desk or just sleeping tucked out of the way somewhere near.

Gypsy

Hi!  I'm Gypsy and I am amazing!  That's what Dr. Smith tells me.  I was abandoned at CTCH in December 2006.  I was having seizures and was very weak and unable to walk more than a few steps without falling over.  I was determined to keep going though and the staff could see my determination.  After months of tweaking my meds to find the right balance and lots of love and care my seizures subsided and I my physical strength caught up to my emotional strength. 

I still have neuromuscular problems as the people like to call it and I wobble when I walk and sometimes fall over.  I can't always move very quickly and I do not like being stepped on so please watch out for me when you visit the hospital.  If I seem to be having trouble and you put a hand out to help me do not be offended when I give you a dirty look and an angry meow.  I can handle it myself thank you very much.  If you are still concerned about me please let a staff member know I am having trouble (preferably Rebecca, she is my favorite). I will be on meds for the rest of my life but I don’t mind, I get treated like a princess here.