This is one of the tougher blog posts to write. Something I was not expecting happened three weeks ago. I was crossing the street after shopping at my local Family Dollar store on a scorching afternoon. As I looked to my left, I noticed a black and white furry lump sitting in the park...is that a fucking cat? Yup, it was a cat. Covered in thick matted fur, meowing for help, and could barely walk. I had purchased food for my cats at home, so I tried to see if this kitty would accept some food. They only meowed and tried to move. Oh, I was sweating...overheated. I could not leave this poor creature here, sitting in the sun that obviously needed help. I ran back home, where I ate and hydrated to have the strength to capture her if she ran. Grabbed my carrier and off I went. To my surprise, the cat wasn't in the same place but had moved over by the apartment complex behind a column. I kept asking people that walked by if they knew this cat, but only one person responded, saying that they had seen it there in that same spot in the park all day. I was there about 2pm. I just went for it, grabbing her by the nape of the neck and placing her feet first into the carrier that I had standing upright next to the column for support.
I brought stinky home. So stinky, of pee. A space was made in my room for this big ol' kitty. With clean food, water, and a litter box. Took a look at the butt and we have a GIRL! She was terrified and confused. She had a belly that was hanging and she was so heavy, ohmygoodness! Thankfully, she ate something. I left her to be alone in the quiet room to acclimate her to her new surroundings. Her ear wasn't tipped, and she was so incredibly sweet so I know that she used to belong to someone. That's such a sad realization. It happens a lot more than people think. People will have pets that get sick, realize they can't afford to take care of them and just dump them on the street to fend for themselves. It's scary and terrifying for the animals. Especially when cats have never had to learn how to fend for themselves. Now they are outdoors with other animals that are competing for food. I spent hours online, reaching out to rescues in Brooklyn for help. Finding Parker during the weekend for me is the busiest time of work for me. I wasn't able to get her to a vet or a clinic to start her healing journey.
There were a few rescues that reached out who put out the word I needed help, but only one was able to actually take the time. Bushwick Street Cats sent me a message on Instagram that they were available to pick her up at my home and take her to a clinic visit. What a coincedance, because weeks earlier I had taken their online TNR (trap, neuter, release) certification course! Crazy how things come full circle sometimes. Chris from Bushwick Street Cats picked her up early on a Monday morning to the clinic and dropped her back off later in the evening. It was determined that she was indeed a girl and had a hernia which was causing her belly to drag on the ground. They were able to take care of some of the massive, matted fur on her body as well. Chris was able to set up an appointment with a veterinarian to tend to her hernia that Saturday.
She stayed in my room; getting more comfortable each day with her new situation. Eating a little bit more...accepting more pets. It took her a few days to finally leave me a few poops to scoop in the litter box.
Isn't she a beauty?! A week later she was at The Neighborhood Vet. I waited nervously all day, to get the call that I could pick her up. Halfway through the day, I get a call that what was thought to be a hernia by the previous clinic visit, was actually a large mass. It took over an hour to remove! Parker's coat was disgusting and full of matts, so they gave her the lion's mane shave. Hahahahahahaha! She looked so silly, but much better! When I brought her home, she had a long incision on her belly, with lots of stiches. It didn't seem to deter her or bother her at all. She was a cuddly baby and slept with me in the bed, her head snuggled into my chest. It took another week to get back her test results and thank goodness the mass was benign! And then, another week had to go by for her to get out her stitches. Then.......Parker was all set, well, until we can get her in for her rotten teeth. Poor girl was a mess when I found her. Still no clue how old she is though......I'm thinking she is at least 4 or 5 yrs old. Definitely isn't a kitten thats for sure!
Parker has been home for about two months now. She primarily stays in my room as Fiona and her do not get along at all. Fiona is scared of her. Big Man is curious, keeping to himself when she comes into the living room to hang out. Fiona and Parker have gotten into about 4 fights that are incredibly ferocious. It's scary watching them scream, watching their fur go flying into the air. I do my best to keep an eye on them. Parker will charge at Fiona. That cat is fearless. That cat is a tank. That cat is a sweetheart. That cat is home. Welcome Home Parker.