Look at those big brown eyes... and the skin sores all over his neck. Awwww. |
Humph. Well. I guess it comes with the territory.
One month ago I finally gave up my search for a snake to foster adopt (you'd think that would be easy here!), and began inquiring about kittens. In District 2 there is a veterinary hospital and animal rescue that I'd been in contact with and they had a little mangy cat come in that needed some special TLC. I told them I'd come in on Friday and we'd go from there.
From hairless rat to soft, bouncy tiger. |
All 40 minutes, driving 50 km/hr on my bike across the width of Saigon, with him in a kitten transport slung over my shoulder, and getting caught in my second downpour of the day, my only thought was, "Please, stupid cat, please do NOT die of pneumonia. THEY WILL NEVER GIVE ME ANOTHER." He didn't. Some days I wish he did. I may not be cut out for children, speaking of that thought. It's my first real kitten since I was in second grade, and it was a bit of a shock how much play/nuzzle time they really need, and how much typing on your computer is basically an invitation to attack and wrestle.
He apparently LOVES hard-boiled eggs and seaweed from the convenience store. Not his normal dish. |
The ringworm is almost all gone now - all the sores are healing correctly, his energy is up, and he's growing rapidly. He eats more than my grown cat at home ever did (WOBBLY BOB SHOUT OUT: YO WOBBLES, I MISS YOU, I HOPE YOU'RE READING THIS) and plays more than any cat I've EVER had. I always used to lament how Bob didn't do 'Cat Things' like play or jump around. No more. I now realize Bob was pretty much the perfect cat for me - enough attitude to make me laugh, just enough love to show she cared for her human.
My arm is the enemy. |
But. The good outweighs the bad in this case. Shanti desperately needed some attention and love, and I desperately wanted an animal around again. He cuddles with me for at least 50% of the night. He purrs while he rides around the house on my shoulder, perched there like a fuzzy tiger-parrot. If only I could get him to ask for a treat from my shoulder, it would be pretty much the greatest.
And I mean... when he looks like THIS... AWWWW |
Creepy hairless things, caught waking up. |
Part of the reason I'm dealing with the annoying kitten-stuff is that Shanti won't be with me long. I've had him for almost a month, and I can only keep him (per the rescue shelter's rules) until he is four months old. At that point he will be returned to the cat house where, hopefully, someone with thick skin and forearms without nerve endings will adopt him and they'll both live happily ever after, until he dies of old age, like every cat should.
I do have the sneaking suspicious, though, that Shanti was born for trouble. He's got a wicked sense of curiosity and a penchant for playing... and if I've learned one thing from the Vietnamese children I teach that have those traits, it's that they'll find genuinely interesting ways to piss you off (he's still outside my door as I write this, crying for me to let him back in the room - not until I'm done typing, mate!).
This was literally seconds before flying into my arms, causing me to spill a bottle of laundry detergent all over my room. |
I encourage any expats looking for some love at home to foster an animal (from a rescue! Do not bring in animals from the streets!!) for comfort, warmth, and mutual love, if not respect or, you know, actual physical comfort. It's been a very rewarding experience and I look forward to fostering more animals in the future.
The hospital lent me a litter box, bowls, scoop, carrier, bought me my first bags of food and litter, provided weekly and bi-weekly medical baths, medicine, and shots, and generally covered all the expenses if I'd just promise to love on him a little bit. It's a pretty good deal, to be honest.
If you want to make a difference in your life, there are always animals that need special care, or just care period. Who knows, there might be one outside your door right now.
Ok, you can come in now, buddy - it's bedtime.
Goodnight, Shanti. |
GAHHHHHHHHHHHHH
ReplyDeleteSo cute Ben! What a little love! I am so happy that you get to wrangle this little guy. He is lucky to have you!
He really is pretty adorable! Maybe next time I'll get to properly wrangle two of them at a time... my forearms would thank me!
Delete:) shanti means peace.
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty cute... but Sun Tzu would be so much more appropriate. ;)
DeleteI'm SO glad you had him! With Sammie just finally (after 10 months) bonding and settling in here, I know what a rewarding feeling it is to give an animal love and care. I'm glad you and your sister are those kinds of people. The world needs more of them!
ReplyDelete