Ash

Meet Ashford, he has been here for a few months-dumped out at a friend’s home who literally lives in the middle of nowhere on a ranch in Eastern Oregon.

He was a tom, pretty beat up so he was vetted, neutered, tested, vaccinated and came back here to live with us. He wasn’t eating for the longest time, I would be assist- feeding him trying to encourage him to eat. Then he would decide to eat but sparingly. I took him to the vet several times, and all they could tell me was he is an old guy and I should continue to do the best I could for him.

I tried him in several different cages some outside some inside, but he still was unresponsive and his lack of appetitie alarmed me. Appetitie stimulants did nothing for him.

Yesterday, I decided to just go ahead and let him outside despite the dangers that lurk out there.

I sat down on the bottom stair, he was nestled in my arms and gently released my hold on him. He looked up at me as if to say “Really? I can go now?” Tears fell on his fur, but I nodded my agreement and he jumped off my lap and headed for the barn.

In a few moments, I followed him only to discover to my delight that he was eating out of the feral feeder. He now has made the upper hay loft his home and is eating well. His drooling has stopped and he no longer trembles.

His problem was not only old age, but also confinement. Sometimes kitties don’t want to live on carpet, get their water out of pet fountains and poop and pee in pans and containers. Sometimes, they would rather feel the grass beneath their paws have multiple escape routes planned should predators venture into their territory. Sometimes, but not always, what WE think is best for them is not in their best interest.