Grady was one of "Jezibel's babies". Jezibel is a little Calico stray who we decided to adopt in February of 2000. At the time we "only" had three cats: Rowdy (11 yrs.), Calvin (11 yrs.), and Tazzy (1-1/2 yrs.). After a vet visit, we discovered that Jezibel (6 mos. old) was going to have kittens.
In March she had 9 kittens (7 boys, 2 girls). We kept the girls, Ellie and Lexi, and one of the boys, Grady. The others were adopted by close friends. I know where they all are!
Taz and I have always been close and he was always so jealous if any of the other cats came near me. But, there was a special bond between Grady and I. He was so sweet and shy. He won my heart right away.
In order to be able to spend time with him without making Tazzy mad, I put a bed for Grady in my computer room. When I was working on the computer, Grady would sit on my lap or he would get in the chair behind me, stand up and put his front paws on my back. I always stopped what I was doing and gave him attention.
Our cats are allowed to go out in our fenced backyard only. They only get out when we are home and they come in before dark.
On Memorial Day of 2006 I was getting the cats in to feed them and couldn't find Grady. Charlie and I went around the house looking for him and we found Grady in a closet upstairs. It was unusual that he was not coming to eat. Then we noticed that he was limping.
Well, here we go to the emergency vet... on a holiday... after 6:00 pm.... double rates, of course! But, what are you going to do?
Grady's hip was dislocated. They worked on him and it popped back in. We brought him home and he seemed fine. The next day he went outside, but then came in later and went to the closet. We checked on him and weren't sure, but thought his hip was out again.
We took him back to the regular vet and sure enough it was dislocated. The doctor kept him overnight this time.
The next day when I checked on him, the vet said the hip would not stay in and told us about a surgery, which was fairly routine. They would put something in the socket which made it deep enough to keep the bone in and keep it from popping out. We went ahead with the surgery.
Then we got a call from the doctor. While they were putting his hip back in the socket, they broke Grady's leg. It was the curved part of the leg, above the ankle. This was highly unusual and the doctor had never seen it happen before. So, they had to put a pin in, and bandage it up. Grady would be like that for 6-8 weeks. Then they would have to remove the pin.
We went to see Grady after the surgery and he was the sweetest little thing. So glad to see us, but wouldn't be able to come home until the next day.
When we got Grady home, we decided to put him in a large wire crate which was big enough for his bed, litter box, food and water. We set it up in the family room since we spent most of our time there with the TV. He was amazing. No whining, purred for attention, and, unlike Taz, took his pills easily! Couldn't ask for a better patient.
Grady's shaved hip Since this was June, it was warmer and we started spending afternoons on the patio. Grady wanted to be out there with us so at first we moved the whole crate out. He was happy to be with us. Then we decided to make a little fenced-in area for him so the top was open and he'd feel more like he was outside. Of course, if he tried to get out, that would be the end of that plan. We put down a rug and brought him out. I had a pot of grass that I had started for the cats to eat when they couldn't get outside. We started calling that "Grady's potted plant". We put that in the pen with him and he would get up and eat some of the grass. The best thing was, that he was with us and he was happy. I swear that little cat never complained about his leg.
Well it finally did heal, he had his pin out, and he could walk fine. He did always favor that leg though. Grady w/doll "Katy" in playpen........Grady and his potted plant
We miss Grady very much. I think of him when I sit at my computer.
Last February 11th, I came up to his room to feed him breakfast. He looked like he was curled up asleep in his bed. He had passed away sometime during the night. We were in such shock and pain. He did not suffer because there were no signs of trauma. He just went to sleep and didn't wake up. It was about a month before his 10th birthday. He was the first of Jezibel's babies to leave us.
Oh, and since this is Tazzy's Blog, what about Taz? Taz had his chemo yesterday. He did well. Paula, the technician told us that she can imagine that Taz is not as good at home as he is at the hospital. He's very good when they give him the I.V. Then when they take the needle out, he gets down and starts looking for a place to hide. He also knows his blue kennel. When they bring the kennel in, he jumps into it because he knows he's going home. We told Dr. Phillips that Taz is doing so well. We forget sometimes that he is sick. She said that is what her goal is.....give Taz a good quality of life so we can enjoy him as long as we can.
More later.......
This was a lovely story to read on a chilly Sunday morning. To see how your support and care strenghtens your pets to go through almost anything - it's quite inspiring. I'm so very happy Taz is doing well.
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