Category: Pet Rescue

The Greatest Cat in the World

Tortoise Shell Cat drawing by BZTAT
“Slick” drawing by BZTAT

All of my cats are great. The best EVER.

But Slick is extra special. She has been my faithful companion for 18 years, and she is truly the greatest cat in the world.

Slick, my tortoise shell cat
Slick with her buddy Bub

Slick has been with me through the loss of our other feline companions, Bub and the original Beezie. She has been with me through relationships that did not last. She was with me when I went to Texas to bring my mother back to Ohio, and she was with me through the challenge of coping with my mother’s Alzheimer’s Disease.

She has been with me through different jobs, a career change, the eventual death of my mother, and other events that both challenged and enriched our lives.

It is hard for me to imagine that such a fun and loving animal came very close to a shortened life due to abandonment before she ever had a chance to bring her immense love to someone.

Slick was found along a riverbed when she was about 3 months old. She was rescued by state wildlife officers who were engaged in a wildlife rescue on the Tuscarawas River. An oil pipeline had ruptured and sullied the waters, threatening the wildlife that lived along the river. I was a volunteer with the rescue effort, and was surprised to find that the officers had rescued a domestic animal.

tortoise shell cat bztat
Slick as a youngster, making a tree out of the cabinet tops.

Slick has tortoise shell markings, which were mistaken for oil by the officers back then. She did not have oil on her, however, she did have an injured paw, which decreased her odds for survival if she had been taken to a shelter. So this wonderful cat came home with me, and what joy she has brought to my life. (Read more about her rescue story here.)

Slick is in the waning years of her life, now. She was diagnosed with chronic renal failure 2 years ago, and her illness has taken a turn for the worse this week. She is not keeping enough fluids in her body, so the vet says I need to give her subcutaneous fluids daily.

I am not looking for a miracle, and I am not looking to perform heroics with her. If I can keep her reasonably healthy and comfortable, though, while she lives out her remaining days, I will do what I can.

Anyone who has pets that are receiving intensive veterinary care knows that this does not come cheap. In order to finance her care, I plan to offer some special deals and arrangements to sell artwork rapidly. Stay tuned.

I am sharing this story now, because it is affecting me deeply, and I feel the need to share with others who have felt similar feelings towards their pets’ care.

Slick, my tortoise shell cat
The Greatest Cat in the World

I also am sharing this story because many cats have never had the opportunity to love and be loved as Slick has had. Many cats that were abandoned like her make it to shelters, but never find homes.

In my mind, that means that both cats and people have missed out on one of the greatest experiences to be had – the loving relationship between a human being and a cat.

Petfinder has a campaign right now to promote the adoption of cats by encouraging those of us who enjoy cats to proclaim that we are proud cat parents. I am a cat parent to 5 wonderful cats.

Again, all 5 are special to me. Today, more than ever, though, I am proud to say I am a cat parent to Slick, as I cherish every moment that I have left with the Greatest Cat in the World.

I love my cat

Are you a cat parent? See how you can proclaim it and share it in a way that helps cats get adopted here. If you are not yet a cat parent, what’s holding you back?
I remember the state when your wish doesn’t match your opportunities. Men, I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy. I always looked with pity at the men who bought the pills along with condoms.

There are many wonderful cats waiting to make your life as special as Slick has made mine.

Look what the cat drug in…

Buff cat in front of Brewskie Butt painting
Studio cat in front of Brewskie Butt painting by BZTAT

There are hundreds and thousands and perhaps millions of homeless cats in the world. I know my limits. I may not be able to help even a fraction of them, as much as I would like to.

But certain cats march into your life and demand attention, and you simply cannot ignore them.

I have no name yet for this cat. I am a firm believer that cats earn their names, so I am willing to let this one tell its story before a name is granted.

Here is the story so far, as I know it.

As I was preparing for a late night of painting last night, a fellow artist arrived at my studio door at 10:15 pm. Somewhat flustered, she explained that a cat had presented itself outside her studio a few doors down, and with a bit of coaxing, had walked inside. She knew that I was an animal advocate and had done some cat rescue, and she asked for my assistance in helping her with the small creature.

I knew I was better equipped to manage a cat than my friend was, so I brought it to my studio, gave it some food and water and set up a litter box. This cat is very thin and crawling with fleas, but it is also a very friendly and seeking love. Without hesitation it crawled into my lap and fell asleep. And despite its tendency to move around a lot (I suspect because of the fleas) it has a very calm sort of presence about it.

The cat meows quietly now and then, but in a sort of sweet way.

I have 5 cats, which is really 2 too many, so 6 is not really an option. But I think I can help get this creature to a home that will be blessed with its presence.

Will you help me?

UPDATE:

The cat has a home and new furrever pal!

Heath, who is a Kent State art student and new resident of the arts district has adopted her! Yay Heath!

Adopted ginger cat
Heath and his new purring pal!

It was love at first mew! Heath is on a student’s budget, so I might do a bit of  fund raising for him to offset veterinary costs. But for right now, let’s just celebrate that two souls needing some love found each other on the Canton Arts District!

A Stunningly Beautiful Cat

Calico cat art
"Princess" Digital Art by BZTAT

Stunning. Beautiful. What else can you say when you are so struck by the beauty of an animal?

Princess is a young cat, and believe it or not, she, and her kittens, need homes.

Rescued from a feral cat colony, she had a litter of kittens about 10 months ago. She has since been spayed. My friend has been keeping her and 9 other cats in a wood shop and trying to find them homes. I have decided to help her.

If you are interested in Princess and are in the Stark – Tuscarawas County area, let me know. I can arrange it so that you may be able to have this stunning beauty living in your home. We also have 10 month old kittens (not really kittens anymore) that include: grays, ginger and white tabbies, gray tabbies, a tan tabby, solid blacks, black and whites, torties, and another calico that looks just like Princess.

I will also be helping out with the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) of a feral cat colony that lives outside the wood shop. In order to keep the colony from growing, we plan to trap the cats and have them spay/neutered, then return them to their habitat.

I am planning to chronicle my first TNR rescue effort in art – Expect to see many drawings of these stunning cats in the coming days! I will auction the drawings in order to maintain some income for myself while I endeavor in the volunteer rescue.

The rescue effort entails costs for the spay/neuter and transportation costs. Please consider donating to the effort to ensure that these animals get their needs met. You can donate thru the ChipIn in the sidebar. Thanks so much for your help!

Stay tuned and be watching for some new drawings and auctions soon!