Tragically, one of the four-legged
loves of my life passed away unexpectedly just before Thanksgiving last year.
"Jobey" was another in a long line of kittens that came home from
farm calls in my husband's coveralls. This fun and funny, affectionate, black
and white cat quickly stole our hearts with his very dog-like behavior. He
blended well with the Border Collies and grew up with Welsh Corgi, "Betsy
Louise," still a puppy herself at the time.
My family did not
believe in cat ownership when I was a child so my first true exposure to cats
came in my pre-veterinary jobs and in veterinary college. What a loss to not
have grown up with these incredibly intelligent creatures that come in all
colors, sizes and personalities! I soon grew to love and respect "All
Creatures Great and Small," but especially the feline species.
The first cat I
could actually call my own was a black and white kitten rescued and living at McNutt
Animal Hospital, my first job site as a veterinarian. This little waif was
living in a cage, and like all kittens that reside in cages too long, he was
"self-entertained" by trashing his "condo" and turning his
litter into ground cover outside his pan. He was soon baptized "Porky
Pig" as my boss, Dr. Ron McNutt, cajoled me in to taking him home. And so
I did.
Porky blessed every day
of my life for nearly 18 years as he continued to educate me about the
uniqueness of cats as pets. Those who
have not had a pet live as long as Porky don't always understand the grief of
that loss. Most pets are very child-like, so losing one that lives the lifespan
of a grown child can be devastating. And it was.
We have owned numerous
pet cats over our almost 36 years together, but for some reason, black and white
cats gain favor in our household. Perhaps it's because my husband wants them to
be Border Collies, too...hmm.
Years slipped by and "Jobey"
succeeded Porky to plug a deep crater in my heart. I have always said that I
want my cats to "get me hairy." I adore having them on and near me
whenever possible, especially after a long or hard day. Porky was excellent at
that task. And so was Jobey.
Sadly, Jobey could not
give me what Porky did...a loving relationship that endured beyond average feline
life expectancies. Jobey had, like many young cats, a truly horrible secret---a
secret that originates with "a broken heart" and a secret that breaks
hearts. Jobey had Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, a deadly, feline heart
muscle disease that can result in sudden death in a seemingly normal, healthy
cat of any age.
So when on one Sunday evening
Jobey didn't come running for his "snack," I knew something was very
wrong. And it was. Despite our veterinary heroics, Jobey died 24 hours after
his heart began to fail.
Enter "Stevie
Wonder" to the rescue. This black and white, apple-faced kitten owes his
life to the persistence and diligence of his rescuer, Jill Smith, who also
loves all creatures great and small. Without her, Stevie would be another
statistic representing kittens born to feral cats that do not survive. Jill was
fortunate enough to meet up with my husband when seeking care for Stevie while
he struggled with respiratory disease early in his kitten period. The twosome,
fully aware of my recent loss, began their well-laid plans to put a "new
kid in town." And so there is...
Dr. Bonnie Jones practices at Delphos
Animal Hospital with her husband, John H. Jones, DVM. She was valedictorian and Outstanding Senior
Clinician of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine Class of
1985 and truly does love "All Creatures Great and Small."
