By Sherri Goodall
Abby Lehman volunteers at the SPCA. She drives the “MAC” truck, (the Mobile Adoption Center) to several locations around Tulsa that help sponsor the SPCA’s adoption efforts.
Abby has seen her share of abused and neglected animals. But when her neighbor and friend brought her Siggy, all the rules changed. That day, a Saturday in December, 2009, a gorgeous, golden cat with a horrendous tail wound entered Abby’s life. The neighbor brought the cat to Abby because she was afraid it would die. The cat had a huge, oozing wound under its tail. At first, Abby thought someone had set the cat’s tail on fire. There was a gentle light in the cat’s golden eyes, and he didn’t seem frightened. In fact, he seemed grateful that someone had noticed him.
Abby, with three anti-cat dogs at home, knew the only place she could take this suffering cat was to VCA vets. When Dr. Baker examined the cat, she could barely hear its heart beat. The cat, now named Siggy, was so happy to be petted that his purring drowned out his heartbeat.
Dr. Baker estimated it would take about five days and $500 to treat Siggy. Siggy would also be neutered. Abby had no idea where she would get the money. She knew she couldn’t take Siggy to the SPCA because he probably wouldn’t be adopted due to his injuries. She couldn’t take him home because of her dogs.
On Sunday, Dr. Baker told Abby that they would have to dock (remove) Siggy’s tail. The x-rays showed that Siggy’s tail had separated discs. It was as if someone had yanked his tail so hard that the bones had broken apart, or that the tail had been run over. Where the bones had broken, the skin split apart too, leaving a festering wound. Whatever the cause, the nerves were so damaged that Siggy had no feeling in his tail, so they decided to amputate it. Dr. Baker said that this absence of feeling is what probably kept Siggy alive and kicking.
What to do? Enter Shai Kaiser, 13. Shai volunteers at the SPCA on Sunday mornings. He and Abby’s families are good friends. Shai, too, has seen his share of suffering animals. Abby told Shai her tale/tail of woe. Shai already had one cat and two dogs at home, all rescues. Yet, he couldn’t bear the thought of the gloomy future this sweet cat faced. He called his mom who said okay, but he would have to convince his dad…a much tougher job.
After a week at VCA, Shai brought Siggy home. What a sight Siggy was! In addition to his shaved bottom, he wore a cone around his neck so he wouldn’t bother his stitches. He was timid and scared. The other cat, a female, was not thrilled with his arrival. Poor Siggy had to be coaxed out of his cage to eat. By the time I met Siggy, one month later, he was lolling in his basket on the kitchen counter.
His humans gathered around him, tempting him with food. Afraid…I don’t think so. In fact, Siggy had every sign of being Lord of the Manor. Both two-legged and fourlegged creatures were under his spell.
He is quite handsome, even with his distinctive stump of a tail. One can’t help but love this special feline.
For three years, Shai has requested that birthday gifts be directed to a charity of his choice. Last year it was the SPCA. His brothers will do the same thing when they reach age ten.
racing–10,000 calories! Imagine slogging through blinding ice and snowstorms, in winds strong enough to flip you, your musher and his sled upside down.
The Iditarod trail snakes nearly 1200 miles across frozen tundra from Anchorage to Nome in Alaska. It begins the first Saturday in March.
October is “I’m not Scared Month” at Bats Landing where Beverly hosts wiener roasts for classes of children and Scouts. It’s a time to learn about bats and why we needn’t be afraid of them. Beverly is licensed by the state of Oklahoma Department of Wildlife. She is active in the community educating the public about bats.
Last year, home fires resulted in almost 4,000 civilian deaths and 18,000 injuries. These tragedies occur because children and their caregivers are not trained in fire safety. This is where Firefighter Dayna and Sparkles enter the picture.
Theresa, meanwhile, is frantically banging on the driver’s side window, begging the gun guy to let Scobie out. She was sure that all three would soon drive off with Scobie in the SUV, and who knew what they would do with him?
“Mob,” Kaye’s farm is home to Sammy the camel, dozens of tiny burros, ponies, and several horses.
Bonding with another being is a wonderful antidote to anxiety and fear. Studies have shown that people who interact with pets in a soothing manner show a marked decrease in stress and anxiety. Blood pressure drops and heart rates slow. Many therapy pets go to hospitals and nursing homes for this very purpose.
stuck his tiny nose in my neck, nuzzled, and licked me the whole time I carried him. (I wanted to stick him in my pocket and take him home). Bella, a one
