We have a lot of happy days at the Centre. Kittens arrive and are nursed back to health, old cats find new homes, and humans find new family members. But, there are also sad days. Today was one of those days.
When Mowgli arrived at Ten Lives in August 2021 he had suffered a horrific injury to his tail. He was found by the side of the road in Dromedary. We’re not sure of the exact cause but his tail had a laceration extending most of its length. The 11 month old was in immense pain.
With the injury not being able to heal itself, he was booked into surgery and the tail removed. We now had our own Mowgli bunny boy complete with stumpy tail.
The vet nurse comforted him as he woke up from surgery, sitting with him, stroking the back of his neck as he became aware. We don’t tally up the expenses. Or the time. Mowgli now had a second chance and that was all that mattered. Without his tail he could finally heal.
He was placed in foster and over the next 3 months three amazing carers looked after him. He was now ready to find his furever home.
Back at the Centre, it was now that everyone got to know this boisterous cat and the personality that hooked into your heart and just didn’t let go. He was placed in our Welfare area which also serves as our daily Toolbox meeting room. As the staff and volunteers arrived, Mowgli would greet them one-by-one, letting them know that he did indeed run the place.
When Mowgli wanted to go outside we would hear about it, and hear about it again. Staff and volunteers would take him outside on the harness where he would soak up the sunshine (and washing).
Mowgli loved to play rough and you sure had to watch where your hands were when playing with him. The memory of him chasing a cat toy around in circles with his legs spinning behind him like car doing a burnout will always bring a smile to my face.
During the day, if anyone passed through to visit the toilets you could be sure Mowgli would try to sneak in to explore the ‘forbidden water room’, succeeding more often than not. In fact, it was Mowgli’s desire to sneak out the main door into reception that got him into strife.
One time he was met face-to-face with Sam, our office cat, who was not happy about his venture into his territory and his want to contest it.
I share with you these fond memories because the rest of this story is hard to bear.
Mowgli didn’t like other cats. It was for this reason – and his demanding nature – that made the task of finding him a home difficult. Weeks and months passed by with the only certainty being that when I arrived to work I’d see his furry face at the morning meeting and hear his purrs as I picked him up into my arms.
As much as Mowgli had made Ten Lives his home, it wasn’t his home. His home was out there somewhere, with a family that could give him the life he deserves.
And, so we waited.
This is usually the part of the story where something special or good happens, but I’m afraid that’s not the case today. A few weeks ago I walked into our Toolbox meeting on a Monday morning and Mowgli wasn’t there. I hear that on the weekend a staff member walked in and found him on the ground convulsing and foaming at the mouth. Mowgli was having a seizure.
He was brought to the after hours vet where bloods were taken, medication administered, and he was monitored over night before being returned to the Ten Lives Vet Team later on Monday.
Seizures can be indicative of a range of conditions with isolated occurrences commonly related to toxicity – the Vet Team wondered if Mowgli had eaten something he shouldn’t have on his walks.
Then a few days later he seized again, and again, with the episodes becoming more intense. The Vet Team continued to medicate him but it was to little use.
Coming out of his seizures Mowgli was confused and disorientated, pacing up and down the room. On one occasion he seized during a Toolbox meeting before being rushed into the Vet Room. Oh, how he hated it in there – everyone poking and prodding him when he just wanted to play with his toys.
The medication wasn’t controlling his episodes, and Mowgli was becoming increasingly distressed and disengaged. The seizures were taking their toll and Mowgli was suffering greatly.
A decision had to be made on whether to leave Mowgli to suffer or to put him to sleep. A second opinion. A third.
Last night I spent some time with him. I picked him up and cradled him. He was docile and nearly falling asleep. I held him for 15 minutes. When I put him down he nipped my wrist, that spark returning for a moment.
The next day many of the staff and volunteers dropped in to visit him, to give him a pat, to hold him, his sleek, black fur soaking up the tears their eyes couldn’t hold.
When I walked back into Welfare that afternoon he was gone. On my wrist a small tooth mark that will heal long before my heart will.
We are sharing Mowgli’s story and celebrating his life today because he meant so much to so many people, each one with their own unique connection with him. We are remembering those happy memories and are at peace that he is no longer suffering.
Today was a sad day. But there will be happy days. From my office I can see the Vet Team bringing over a new bunch of kittens to the Adoption Room. Tomorrow they will be let loose, jumping and climbing all over the place as people wander through to meet them, and for many of them, that evening they will fall asleep in their new homes.
But, we will always remember our bunny boy Mowgli.
Words and images by: Rich East, Ten Lives Creative Team
* * *
Ten Lives cares for thousands of cats every year. We rely on support from people just like you continue to provide care to cats in need.
What you can do to help…
Open your heart and home to become a foster carer.
Bring your skills to Ten Lives and become a volunteer.
Check out our current cats and kittens awaiting adoption.
Support us by making a donation to the centre.