Monday, November 30, 2009

History Repeating Itself

I took this photo almost three years ago. A beautiful Linx Point Siamese male feral. He would sleep next to Oscar when Oscar was hanging out in the shelter. I always believed he was Mac's daddy, as Mac looked identical to him as a kitten. I could never get near him, but he didn't seem to be a fighter. He just wanted a warm place to stay and food to eat.


It has been almost three years since I took this photo also. I referred to this boy as *The Mean Guy*. One big tough tomcat he was. Fighting all hours of the night and early morning. He is the one who did the most damage to my sweet Oscar, causing so many injuries. He also use to fight with the guy in the above photo too. It seemed that the Linx Point and Oscar both just needed a safe place away from the dangers of street life and mean tomcats.
I spent hours, days, and weeks, trying to trap *The Mean Guy*. He wouldn't have it. He was trap wise, and avoided the trap like the plague.

Once I brought Oscar inside, The Mean Guy disappeared, and so did the Linx Point. Never again to be seen. Oscar, my sweet angel boy, who was so traumatized by the fighting, he panics if any of the cats touch him with their paws. They all seem to understand and tend to be gentle with him, and allow him to just be the calm sweet boy he is.



Now, the story turns. I took this photo this week. A beautiful Linx Point Siamese. After many photos and observing this boy, I have come to the conclusion, he is the same boy that disappeared nearly three years ago. Still beautiful, don't you think?

I have no idea whatever happened to The Mean Guy, perhaps he is still out there too, somewhere. For now, we have The Karl. You all must remember me posting about Karl. He is such a sweet boy, that has taken over my yard and shelter as his territory. He has accepted his place in the colony, and my shelter is his home.


The problem now is history is repeating itself. Instead of The Mean Guy, we now have The Karl and The Linx Point, fighting, all hours of the night, and early morning. This happens, I am use to it. Until I can get them trapped, and The Linx Point neutered, fighting will continue. These two are often found nose to nose screaming at each other, until I can break it up, but also they can be found sleeping within a couple feet of each other.

My sweet sweet Oscar. Even with the safety of being indoors, and no longer being on the receiving end of all the fighting, he is still getting hurt. Oscar is inside minding his own business, enjoying the comforts of indoor living, curled up on his soft bed, dreaming whatever cats dream of, to be awakened by screaming, yowling, fighting cats outside the window.


Oscar is so traumatized from his past, it is natural for him to run and hide. He becomes so panicked, that he keeps scraping his back trying to hide. He tried to run past the other cats on one of the shelves in the cat room, and fell off the shelf. He tried to hold on, and climb up, and scraped his back in the process. I finally got his wound looking better, then it happened again last night.



When I first discovered the wound, I was very upset. All what went through my mind was one of the cats had hurt him. I promised Oscar when I brought him in nearly three years ago, no harm would ever come to him again, he will always be safe. Then when I witnessed how he was scraping his back, and realized what was happening, trapping the Linx Point became a priority. I can not allow Oscar to be injured.

On another important note, Oscar has Nasal Cancer. I don't know how long he has, but I do know that he has suffered more in his life then he ever deserved, and I will not allow him to suffer even one day. He is doing okay for now, but in order for Oscar to continue to live his peaceful life, I need to stop history from repeating itself. I sure hope The Mean Guy doesn't suddenly reappear too.


20 comments:

Anya said...

Thanks for all shots from so many beauty's !!

Oopss.....
It looks really sad that wond
poor kitty :(
I wis I could cuddle him....
((HUGS))
Kareltje =^.^=

Phyllis said...

Poor little Oscar. I know that nasal cancer is the fastest spreading kind, isn't it?

I swear, there is hardly anything worse sounding than a cat fight! Good luck trapping that guy.

Rae said...

Poor sweet Oscar. It is so sad knowing that he holds such deep fear and emotional trauma within his mind. He has experienced far more than he deserves. I hope you are able resolve this situation soon for his sake.

las794 said...

Poor Oscar. I agree, he shouldn't have to suffer a moment longer than necessary. I hope it's a long time before his cancer gets to the point where you have to make that decision.

I also hope you can trap the lynx-point Siamese. He sure does look like the very same cat from 3 years ago! Wow, I've never had a feral go missing that long & then reappear!

Sam said...

Poor Oscar! It sounds like he has some real psychological scars from his time outside. Sorry to hear about his cancer, too.

Going to go hug my kitty after reading this post..

Cyndi and Stumpy said...

I am sorry to hear of Oscar's suffering, mental and physical. I am glad he is there with you where he'll get the TLC he needs and deserves.

Cat fights are so horrible sounding!!! I hope the two meanies don't hurt each other.

Lynx points have always been my favorite coloration for cats.

Life With Dogs said...

I am so sorry to hear about the nasal cancer, and I'm sure you'll know when to make the call. That wound looks nasty - I keep my cat in the house, and after seeing that, I think I'll stick with it...

RoeH said...

Ohhhhhh...that poor baby. I hurt so badly when I see a cat get hurt. I just adore them so much. Hank looks so much like the Lynx Point. They have amazing markings. Hank would like to be a fighter also, but being indoor it's hard to do for him. So he tries to protect his grounds from the window. Maybe it's their genes.

BlackDog's Photographer said...

Oh that is so sad. He couldn't have a more caring & loving master that you to look out for him.

Huggs to you and Oscar.

DayPhoto said...

Ohhhh. Poor Oscar. He is really a softie. I'm so glad you were able to bring him inside and let him try to recover from the fear and trauma of being a feral. I wonder if he was a housecat at one point in his life? I guess that is something we will never know.

I am so very glad he has you!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

8GR8LOLCATS said...

Thanks for visiting our blog... I wanted to come say hello! Our original cat is our stray... Who just showed up over 12 years ago. She is our matriarch... our feline evangelist! After her we rescued 3cats from a barncat freely breeding situation- we even had the mom cat spayed. I also have 4 Maine Coon Cats.

Unknown said...

Hi T
I'm sorry it took so long to comment.. I'm a bit behind. Poor oscar... heal quickly. I like seeing your kitty pack. I'm not sure they'd like me around though..
norwood

Jan said...

Hi there. Poor Oscar. At least he has you looking out for him. Update on Gracie (the cat under my bed). She is now coming out on her own to go back in her room to eat. She was in her room last night just looking out her window all by herself. And her door was open so she could come and go as she pleased. She still doesn't like my other 3 cats but we are making progress. Thanks for your support and advice.

Jane said...

Many prayers for Oscar today and everyday!

Jane

Unknown said...

Dear God in Heaven - I am so sorry about Oscar's illness. My heart is breaking right along with yours. It seems that some of us suffer more than others. I am just so happy that you were able to get him inside so that he has been safe. Gosh, he must be totally terrified to hurt himself to that extent. Dogs will do that but I didn't know that cats would hurt themselves so terribly.

Sending many tender thoughts and prayers Oscar's way.

heatherbelle said...

I had a real close look at those two photos and I'm sure it's the same cat..the markings around the leg are identical.
Poor little Oscar...thank goodness he has you.

Kady said...

You have some gorgeous kitties and it's comforting to read about someone else who cares about and rescues ferals. I happened upon your blog by clicking "next blog" at the top of my own:


I've also written about some of my adventures and misadventures with my own cars (all of whom were strays at one time or another) and all of the ferals I've befriended. Some stories are very sad, but it seems like those of us who care so much have to face the bad things as well as the good. Bless you for your efforts to help animals in need.

Fireblossom said...

Oh, Oscar. I feel that I understand him.

As always, I love reading all about all of your animals, T. You see the unique beauty of each of them, and share that with us, your lucky readers.

Much love,

Shay

Anya said...

Merry Christmas
and a happy 2010
for you and for your family

Hugs
Kareltje =^.^=
Anya :-)

Debra Taylor said...

Wow! you have done wonderful things for your cats - especially Oscar. I manage a feral/abandoned colony. And, fortunately, I have never encountered any fighting among them which would draw blood in any way. I hope the Mean Guy does not return for you. And I pray for ease for you and Oscar as he deals with the cancer. I really feel for you and Oscar. You should come to my site and read about Scrufty who has had a rough couple of years - doing much better now.

http://homelesscatcare.blogspot.com/2010/01/scrufty-still-doing-well.html

http://homelesscatcare.blogspot.com/2009/12/emergency-for-scrufty.html

Debby