Addie's Story
– Helen Morrison, Board President
On August 24, early in the morning, one of our volunteers saw a post on the St. Johnsbury Community Watch FB page, a photo of a kitten whose face had been badly injured.
She sent it to me. It was quite disturbing. When she looked again, the post was gone.
But the volunteer remembered the name of the person who posted it, and with some sleuthing, we were able to reach the person. We let her know that we would take the kitten and try to help it. Nancy P. went to get the kitten and I met her at Littleton Area Veterinary Urgent Care.
It was a little girl, about 8 weeks old, a long haired tuxedo girl. We named her Addie.
After some attention at LAVUC, we took her to the Shelter, and Dr. Sally and our team began their loving and skilled care. Antibiotics were given, cleaning done, care plans made. Because these were wounds of an unknown origin, we have had to isolate Addie and have only a few folks tending. We will need to be cautious about the possibility of rabies for a while. The good news is that, at this point, Addie shows no signs of the virus.
But we need to be cautious. The wounds certainly do look like those of a predator was trying to get at her.
And now, to the difficult part and the wonderful part. First, the difficult part. Here is a link to two photos of Addie. One is when she first came into the Shelter. The other is quite recent and shows her after some days of treatment. They are a bit hard to look at, so it is fine if you don’t want to view them. (click here to see Addie Photos)
It is all quite amazing…so whether you look or not, read on about the incredible story of this brave little spirit girl.
Addie gets treatments (and meals) three times a day. There appear to be several deep bite wounds on her cheek. Her nose has a deep gash down the length of it, exposing bone and cartilage. Her left eye is damaged enough from a bite or claw so that she can’t blink or produce tears. But at this point, it looks like the eye itself is still healthy.
The end of her nose was almost severed. But her nostrils are intact, and she can breathe well. After a bit of time, it became clear that much of the skin and fur had developed an intense infection underneath. So, Dr. Sally debrided all the dead, leathery skin. That left Addie looking rather raw. But with that procedure, Addie’s tissue could now really begin to heal. And that is just what is happening.
And now, the wonderful part. Considering all that happened to Addie, one might expect her to be cowed, frightened, weakened, down. But not at all. This little girl is full of life, curiosity, playfulness, and affection. She purrs at the drop of a hat, even while her wounds are being cleaned and treated. She is now able to have some time out of her ICU condo, and romp and play a bit. She loves it. (click here to see video of Addie playing)
Addie is truly a being full of the joy of life. As Dr. Sally says: “she is an amazing soul, and only wants to be alive no matter what she looks like. Her story is remarkable and she is truly an amazing spirit on this planet.”
I cannot begin to express how grateful I am to the KAS Team for taking Addie in, providing a safe and loving place for her to heal, while she waits for her forever home!! Our volunteers and staff are beyond truly wonderful
She sent it to me. It was quite disturbing. When she looked again, the post was gone.
But the volunteer remembered the name of the person who posted it, and with some sleuthing, we were able to reach the person. We let her know that we would take the kitten and try to help it. Nancy P. went to get the kitten and I met her at Littleton Area Veterinary Urgent Care.
It was a little girl, about 8 weeks old, a long haired tuxedo girl. We named her Addie.
After some attention at LAVUC, we took her to the Shelter, and Dr. Sally and our team began their loving and skilled care. Antibiotics were given, cleaning done, care plans made. Because these were wounds of an unknown origin, we have had to isolate Addie and have only a few folks tending. We will need to be cautious about the possibility of rabies for a while. The good news is that, at this point, Addie shows no signs of the virus.
But we need to be cautious. The wounds certainly do look like those of a predator was trying to get at her.
And now, to the difficult part and the wonderful part. First, the difficult part. Here is a link to two photos of Addie. One is when she first came into the Shelter. The other is quite recent and shows her after some days of treatment. They are a bit hard to look at, so it is fine if you don’t want to view them. (click here to see Addie Photos)
It is all quite amazing…so whether you look or not, read on about the incredible story of this brave little spirit girl.
Addie gets treatments (and meals) three times a day. There appear to be several deep bite wounds on her cheek. Her nose has a deep gash down the length of it, exposing bone and cartilage. Her left eye is damaged enough from a bite or claw so that she can’t blink or produce tears. But at this point, it looks like the eye itself is still healthy.
The end of her nose was almost severed. But her nostrils are intact, and she can breathe well. After a bit of time, it became clear that much of the skin and fur had developed an intense infection underneath. So, Dr. Sally debrided all the dead, leathery skin. That left Addie looking rather raw. But with that procedure, Addie’s tissue could now really begin to heal. And that is just what is happening.
And now, the wonderful part. Considering all that happened to Addie, one might expect her to be cowed, frightened, weakened, down. But not at all. This little girl is full of life, curiosity, playfulness, and affection. She purrs at the drop of a hat, even while her wounds are being cleaned and treated. She is now able to have some time out of her ICU condo, and romp and play a bit. She loves it. (click here to see video of Addie playing)
Addie is truly a being full of the joy of life. As Dr. Sally says: “she is an amazing soul, and only wants to be alive no matter what she looks like. Her story is remarkable and she is truly an amazing spirit on this planet.”
I cannot begin to express how grateful I am to the KAS Team for taking Addie in, providing a safe and loving place for her to heal, while she waits for her forever home!! Our volunteers and staff are beyond truly wonderful