Charlie – Hewwow

Poor Charlie's Nose, 6-2-15 — Poor Charlie’s Nose, 6-2-15

Sunday evening we noticed Charlie’s nose looked split and raw. The wet, squishy part of his nose. He looked like he was in a little pain, but it didn’t prevent him from running for his food bowl or jumping in the litter box while it was being cleaned. So I followed my 48-hour rule. If things get bad, if blood is gushing, if drinking of water stops, all bets are off. But otherwise we wait 48 hours before going to the vet.

Monday didn’t show much improvement. Worse. On Monday evening, the Dude started doing something weird with his mouth and caterwauling randomly. So I called for a vet appoint first thing on Tuesday. We won a 3PM spot.

I was sitting working when Charlie crawled into my lap to have a nap. I thought he was purring but on closer inspection, he was shivering. I called the vet for a sooner appointment. At 11AM I wrestled the two boys into their cat carriers and hauled them into the car. Charlie started freaking out, rolled onto his back panting and legs waggling in the air. Meowing and the works.

This was their first vet visit and they were super nervous. Charlie went first for a weight (about 11.5 pounds!) and then the Dude (10.5 pounds). Hearts, gums, temperatures, internal parts. Everything got checked.

There was some back and forth about possible problems. The deal was to get Charlie’s infection under control, and The Dude was a mystery. They got worming meds. Charlie got an antibiotics jab. We got some antibiotic wash to go home with for Charlie’s nose and the Dude’s mouth.

On his release, Charlie crawled into his brother’s carrier and curled up behind The Dude. We had to sort them out before I could schlep them out to the car because they are big boys. Arriving home, the slunk out of their carriers and departed. Charlie promptly found a hiding spot in a closet where he hid the rest of the day. The Dude slunk around, hiding in doorways and around corners, glaring.

This just adds to the feeding and health regimen that fills my day. I sometimes get weary of the constant work, but I feel like these kittehs are going to be the beloved pets of wonderful people one day and I woe it to the cats and the people to take care of them as if they were my own. Plus, credit cards, right?

Temporary Name:

Temporary Charlie

Gender: Male
Color: Black & White
Fur: Short
Born: Approximately 4/17/14
Mom: Lil Mamma
Family: 6 kittens

Currently available for adoption.

Charlie was the smallest of the litter. A little crusty-eyed kitten that could barely compete for a milky nipple. Of course I’m a sucker for the underdog (undercat?). In the first week of holding them and cleaning their crusty eyes three to four times a day, he broke my heart. Not only did he have such a hard time with being tiny and crusty, but he started to have a personality, and he reminded me so much of Tom, a neighborhood cat that had passed away only a few months before.

He has a very large and lanky frame making him quite a big boy. And he has the short, black and white, coarse fur that makes him seem aerodynamic and almost waterproof. Before I knew he was a boy, I told him he had better be a guy because of the distinct mustache and soul patch on his face. Fortunately he has turned into quite the goofy, cuddly, sweetheart. He loves to talk and purr, and he has the sweet, gentle-giant voice that I knew and loved in Tom.

Charlie (as in Charlie Chaplin mustache, right?) is sweet and playful. He’ll probably do best in a house as an only cat, but he doesn’t seem to mind dogs. He just wants all of your kitty attention for himself. He’s looking like he’s going to be a giant throw pillow of a cat – sweet, mellow, and talkative.

Update 10-21-14: We’re learning to wear a collar now and don’t seem to mind it that much!

Update 4-7-15: Charlie lived up to his ‘Temporary Charlie’ name. After a few months, he came back from his adoptive house. After talking with the family and observing him back home with us for a few weeks, we’re confident that he’ll be successful in a new home now. He needs more attention than he was getting, and he would probably be happier as an only cat because he wants to be the center of your world 🙂 Probably not a good roommate for another dominant male cat.

Health history:

8/27/14 – Neutered, rabies vaccine, flea/parasite treatment, and microchipped. (No More Homeless Pets: Operation Petsnip, www.nmhp.net)

When these kittens came to us, they had very crusty eyes. It took a good week or two to get that under control. This little boy hasn’t shown signs of any returning issues.

Quick Details

Litter box: A+ [He’s a large-framed cat who will need a big box, but he likes one of the covered boxes we have]
Other cats: B+ [Best with non-aggressive males]
Cuddling: A+
Food: A+