Sometimes in our lives, we encounter situations where, try as we might to do all the right things, we just don’t have the resources to accomplish the task. In those cases, it takes courage and the ability to let go to do what’s best. In this case, I’m speaking about the story of Psi, the little kitten adopted by twenty-two year old Bailey (mother to special needs D’Artagnan and Princess) less than a year ago.
Stricken with spina bifida, Psi is unable to walk and has numerous problems with incontinence that have left her with a painfully sore bottom and medical needs beyond what Bailey was able to provide for at home. So Bailey did what she had to do: She relinquished Psi’s care to Tabby’s Place, a home for all cats and kittens, especially those with medical issues, where Psi could get the daily care she needed to one day become well enough to live pain free.
Many of us couldn’t imagine having to part with our baby, but Bailey did, not because she didn’t love Psi, but because she loved her enough to give her what she needed to recover, even if it wasn’t in her own home. We asked Bailey a few questions about her choice, and here’s what she had to say:
Recently, you made the difficult decision to bring your special needs kitty Psi to Tabby’s Place for care. Can you tell me a bit about her special needs?
At what point did you start considering relocating Psi to a home that could better meet her needs?
She came into my care in late July of 2013, at which point I was living in Calgary. Up until that point, her condition remained pretty much the same. Mid-December was when she split open the spot on her foot with the bone spur. I started noticing a deterioration in her condition. Her foot wasn’t getting better, and her bottom was getting worse. The raw area started to expand, and started to bleed more than it had before. After about a month, I hadn’t seen any improvement and began to question her quality of life. I noticed she wasn’t playing any more, she screamed whenever I washed her, she wasn’t socializing with D’Arty or Princess, my other two paraplegics, and she wasn’t moving around like she did before. One night while I was getting ready for work, I went to put her diaper on after I washed her and she was bleeding a lot more than normal and was screaming worse than I had ever heard before. That’s when it really sunk in how much pain she must be in and I burst out crying. My dad came in the living room after hearing her wails, took one look and me and started crying, too.
I have no doubt the decision was a difficult one for you. What was the deciding factor in finalizing your decision to bring Psi to Tabby’s Place?
What advice can you offer to other people who may have an animal they’re caring for and are considering re-homing?
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I received an update from Tabby’s Place, and the woman who fostered Dot while she was being quarantined is the same lady fostering Psi during her quarantine. I’ve been told Psi is doing great, she is sweet and playing again and eating well. Her bottom seems a little better. They are accepting donations towards her care, so if anyone wants to help out, they are more than welcome.