Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Settling in Nicely

Ratty has made himself at home again very quickly. 



For those of you new to the Ratty saga, he was a street cat who we had been feeding and looking out for with his little sister 'LG', formerly Little Guy, since September 2010.  They were a particularly appealing pair due to their mutual devotion and long-standing companionship.

Then in early October 2011, Ratty was found with what appeared to be a serious head injury, possibly the result of a knock by a car.  I took him to the Vet with the intention of putting him out of his misery, but instead, after a few days on the Vet-bills, he came home to be nursed in the High Dependency Unit  (you can read all the heart-warming details in earlier posts from that time).  After making a significant recovery, he had a relapse in late November and we thought we would lose him, but once again, with intensive nursing, he came through.

Then we went to Australia for Christmas, returning to exile on January 10th.  Ratty was living inside with our other three (groan) cats, but took off the day before we returned.  And was not seen again until last Friday night, an absence of 25 days.  That is why, especially after the poisoning, we didn't expect to see him again.  We really thought he'd had a further neurological relapse and had died because there was no one to look after him. 

We would like to know what happened to him.  I think he might have been trapped or caught some how as his paws are not worn and his only injury is this one around his mouth:


which looks like somebody bit him - prey perhaps?  He has none of the classic cat-fight injuries.  He has been eating like a champion and filling out again.  His hind legs look a little odd when he walks, which is probably a result of his neurological traumas but his reactions are lightning-fast.

Ratty is very clingy, calls out if I am upstairs for more than half an hour or so and remembers he is not allowed upstairs by Macc and Ming.  He likes to sit on my lap or at my feet.  I think whatever happened while he was missing was quite distressing to him.  He spends most of his time asleep or eating and has not yet begun to play again.

We still can't quite believe he is back.

Thank you to you all for your kind comments welcoming him home - the Miracle Cat has used up a few more of his lives.

x

9 comments:

Susannah said...

Oh I am SO, SO pleased to hear that Ratty is back! What absolutely brilliant news! It has really cheered up my morning. :-)

Give him a stroke from me (a kiss too if he will let you!)

Wonderful! x

Anonymous said...

It's good to see him settling back in so quickly.

Jenny Woolf said...

Good lord, he really does seem to have nine lives. Or perhaps ninety. I am glad he is back!

jabblog said...

I think Ratty is going to be a very cautious cat from now on - could even turn into an indoor cat;-

It's heartwarming to hear of his return.

Anonymous said...

Sorry leaving a comment here on a totally unrelated subject - those offices belong to some sort of religious organisation so his cover is pretty good! I won't be lulled into a false sense of security and let my guard slip.

hyperCRYPTICal said...

He certainly seems intent in clinging on to life. All power to his whiskers!

Anna :o]

chiccoreal said...

Dear Isabel: With those amazing amber eyes, Ratty's determinedly one lucky cat! Especially to have such lovely people looking after his many misadventures. Typical Tom cat behaviour to be a roustabout.

Liz Rice-Sosne said...

How wonderful that he healed and could come home ... do to your own loving kindness and a good vet.

Amanda said...

Catching up on my blogs, so pleased to see your Ratty is back, lovely news!