Our volunteer Laura W. from Helena picked up three cats for us at our vet clinic and brought them out to the ranch on Saturday. From left, that's Popeye the blind cat from Lebanon, who had surgery to remove an eye after blowing a hole in his cornea. The eye socket became infected, the sutures fell apart, and he required follow-up surgery and a lengthy stay at the clinic. He's already back to being a scamp in the cat house.
In the middle is deaf Snowball, who we now know has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. After three weeks in the hospital, he came back to the ranch a different, healthier, happier boy! I have to give him a twice-daily injection of Lasix and a heart pill each evening to continue managing his heart problem.
And on the right is our newest arrival, a three-legged cat -- yes, another three-legged cat! -- named Molly. Molly is missing her right rear leg, unlike Bunny and Honey Girl, who are missing their left front legs. Molly is a tabby who originally belonged to a college student in Bozeman. This student gave her to another college student, who in turn gave Molly to her parents in Helena to keep. Molly was getting beaten up by the family's other cats, and the family didn't want to take her to a shelter, so they called us instead.
Laura is one of our longest-serving volunteers with four years of providing wonderful service to our animals .. every season of the year, no matter what the weather! Thank you, Laura!
So glad the kitties are home! The ranch is blessed to have Laura as one of its volunteers!
Molly, welcome to the ranch!! You will be loved and cared for...given a new lease on life.
Posted by: Nina | February 04, 2008 at 08:25 PM
Laura....thank you SO much for your time, love and longevity with RDR, you are awesome!
We're extactic that Snowball is doing so well!! It feels good knowing he and Popeye are back home.
A big welcome to Molly; hope we can get a look at her whiskers outside of the cage soon.
Posted by: Boundforglory | February 04, 2008 at 09:41 AM
Great work, Laura! I know that Popeye & Snowball are glad to be back home. Welcome to Molly, the newest feline arrival. That's a neat license plate on Laura's vehicle!
Hugs to all,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | February 04, 2008 at 06:32 AM
I'm so glad Snowball and Popeye are feeling much better now and happily back at the Ranch!
Leo would like to extend a warm welcome to Molly (from one three-legged cat to another, you know:-)).
Last but not least, three cheers for Laura! May she keep up the good work and God Bless her!
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | February 04, 2008 at 04:55 AM
It's always good to get updates that the animals are doing well. Thank you Laura for your faithful service to RDR!
Posted by: Shirley & James, Portland, OR | February 04, 2008 at 01:23 AM
Whooohooo my sister, rocks!!!!
Posted by: LuAnn | February 03, 2008 at 11:55 PM
I am so glad to see snowball and popeye back at the ranch and happy and healthy again!!! i hope the meds continue to do the trick for snowball in terms of managing his condition.
and i am sure miss molly is going to be one happy kitty in her new home!!! thank you for everything you do, and for sharing your stories with us all.
Posted by: maggie | February 03, 2008 at 10:40 PM