The Injured Cat from Cabot - Amahl
Amahl Goes Home
May 2023
Many of you will remember Amahl. He is a gorgeous tabby who came to us after a good Samaritan found him in a snowbank in March of 2021 and brought him to our Shelter.
Poor Amahl appeared to have been hit by a car. There may have been head injuries. It wasn’t clear if he would survive. But he did!
It also became clear that he probably had never interacted with humans before. And for a long time, more than a year, he hid from humans and only came out in his colony room at night.
We talked with a behavior guru….and she suggested to just be patient, not to push him, not to challenge him…and ultimately, he would choose his human. Our long time volunteer, Christine McIntyre, had just the right patient, let-him-be approach. And soon, he was excited to hear her coming into the Shelter, and would greet her at his door, winding around her legs, asking for pets.
We are so excited to say that Christine and husband, Tracy, have taken Amahl into their home. It didn’t take him long to relax. He still loves his security cat tower…but he has a nice big space to roam in and explore…and he gets to watch all the squirrels out the window…and maybe even a neighborhood cat or two.
May 2023
Many of you will remember Amahl. He is a gorgeous tabby who came to us after a good Samaritan found him in a snowbank in March of 2021 and brought him to our Shelter.
Poor Amahl appeared to have been hit by a car. There may have been head injuries. It wasn’t clear if he would survive. But he did!
It also became clear that he probably had never interacted with humans before. And for a long time, more than a year, he hid from humans and only came out in his colony room at night.
We talked with a behavior guru….and she suggested to just be patient, not to push him, not to challenge him…and ultimately, he would choose his human. Our long time volunteer, Christine McIntyre, had just the right patient, let-him-be approach. And soon, he was excited to hear her coming into the Shelter, and would greet her at his door, winding around her legs, asking for pets.
We are so excited to say that Christine and husband, Tracy, have taken Amahl into their home. It didn’t take him long to relax. He still loves his security cat tower…but he has a nice big space to roam in and explore…and he gets to watch all the squirrels out the window…and maybe even a neighborhood cat or two.
When Patience Pays Off
-Christine McIntyre, twelve year KAS Volunteer
Amahl came to KAS in late March of 2021. He'd been hit by a car and had a head injury, but he was a fighter. We could not give up on him either. But after a few months, he was still hiding and hissing when greeted by someone. Many tried to socialize with him, including me, but he wasn't interested in coming out.
A year later, there was talk of him being a barn cat. That worried me, so I started sitting in his room for longer periods of time (30-60+ minutes) whenever I was at the shelter. Initially, I just sat in the chair and read to him. It took over a month before he'd fully relax. When I left the room one day, I noticed him checking out the chair I had been sitting in.
Then one morning, I saw him at his window, waiting for me. He seemed happy to see me but he still wasn't ready to get close yet. I had no expectations for him, so every little step in his progress was treated like a happy surprise.
A month or so after that greeting at the window, he started approaching me. He was very cautious and jumpy at any sudden movement or noise. Though eventually, he was rubbing against my leg and had the cutest meow. And then he started accepting my hand near him a few weeks after that. Now... he loves being petted, especially along his back and under his right ear. The good news I hear from others is that he no longer runs to hide whenever someone enters his room. He takes his time moving away from them.
In my observations of Amahl, I think he would love a quiet one or two-person home with very few guests and maybe no other pets. Earning his friendship could take months, but it is possible... with patience.
In my observations of Amahl, I think he would love a quiet one or two-person home with very few guests and maybe no other pets. Earning his friendship could take months, but it is possible... with patience.
Amahl: Our Longtime Shelter Friend
-Helen Morrison
Amahl is a beautiful short haired tabby boy, perhaps 2 years old. At the end of March, 2021, we got a call from a Good Samaritan in Cabot who had found him rather life-less, lying on a snowbank. This gentleman and some other good citizens tended to him and then brought him to our vet, Western Avenue Vet Clinic. Dr. Hunt worked with Amahl. There was concern that he had been hit by a car and had a head injury. He was quite dull and had difficulty walking. Dr. Hunt was concerned that he wouldn't survive. But he did and we took him into the Shelter. His journey has been one of love and patience. At first he would sit in the cubby of his tower and if approached, would hiss, growl, and lunge. Over time, with gentle work, those subsided and he was more relaxed. He might give slow blinks. But he would never come out of the tower during the day. We knew that he came out at night because we had a camera in his room. He would stretch, eat, use the litter box, go high up on his tower, look out the window. He seemed genuinely relaxed. Several months ago, he began staying out of his tower, and watching the goings on in the lobby of the Shelter. And recently he has even stayed out on the floor of his room while volunteers have tended to him And very good news…he now will accept treats hand delivered into his tower. And one of our volunteers who is working specifically with him made a glove on a stick…and she uses that to pet him…and he seems to enjoy that.
We are looking for a home for Amahl that is cat savvy, who understands ferals and semi-ferals and who will just let him be who he is, a presence in the house, who shows himself now and then and who is loved and well-cared for. And who knows what time will bring for him? Will he ultimately be a visible presence? Will he end up having the nerve to sit at the end of the couch? Will he allow brief and tentative petting? That is what we would wish for Amahl. He seems to have had a rough time of it, prior to coming to us .. with perhaps no human interaction. He is a beautiful boy who deserves a good chance at a loving home.
June 19, 2021 - Mr. Night Owl
Amahl seems to be comfortable enough in his room at the shelter...with multiple towers and cubbies and a window looking out into the woods. We have a camera on him now...in his room. It doesn’t record but we can see what is going on when we tune in; we can see if there is any activity. And this is what we see.. He does not venture out at all during the day, to our knowledge. He stays in his tower cubby. Food and water are very close….but no activity. Nighttime is a different story. The camera shows him checking out the camera, stretching, yawning, climbing up on top of a higher tower, lounging on the round platform….looking out the window, calmly, not in a frantic way. The camera shows him eating, drinking…a very different cat from how he looks during the day, when we have quietly gone in and glanced sideways at him, slow-blinking to him. Then, he is fully tensed.
Because this seems to have been the norm for quite some time now, we are pretty convinced he has had little-to-no human contact...living alone somewhere, until an unfortunate event caught up with him when crossing the road, when he was probably hit by a car and stunned pretty badly. Good folk tended to him...and he survived. But at this point, he is not open to human interaction.
We shall see what more time holds for him. No matter what, he will be kept safe and sound.
Amahl seems to be comfortable enough in his room at the shelter...with multiple towers and cubbies and a window looking out into the woods. We have a camera on him now...in his room. It doesn’t record but we can see what is going on when we tune in; we can see if there is any activity. And this is what we see.. He does not venture out at all during the day, to our knowledge. He stays in his tower cubby. Food and water are very close….but no activity. Nighttime is a different story. The camera shows him checking out the camera, stretching, yawning, climbing up on top of a higher tower, lounging on the round platform….looking out the window, calmly, not in a frantic way. The camera shows him eating, drinking…a very different cat from how he looks during the day, when we have quietly gone in and glanced sideways at him, slow-blinking to him. Then, he is fully tensed.
Because this seems to have been the norm for quite some time now, we are pretty convinced he has had little-to-no human contact...living alone somewhere, until an unfortunate event caught up with him when crossing the road, when he was probably hit by a car and stunned pretty badly. Good folk tended to him...and he survived. But at this point, he is not open to human interaction.
We shall see what more time holds for him. No matter what, he will be kept safe and sound.
May 30, 2021 - A slight glimmer
We were told that Amahl would take a long time to settle into what he will become, to open up. That has proved to be true.
He seems healthy, is eating well, body functions are good. He doesn’t look so scared inside his cubby. He does come out of his cubby at night to eat and use his litter box. A concern is that he has a rather blank look on his face. We are playing gently with him...with a mouse on a string at the end of a stick, dangled in front of his cubby. He watches it, which is good. But he doesn’t yet react in any way.
We do fear that there are some mentation issues, perhaps some brain damage. He has a lovely little room with a window that he can see out of from his favorite cubby in a tower. We are going to put a bird feeder outside, I think...being cautious about bears, of course. He used to look extremely wary and tense in his cubby when we would go in to visit. But now he looks more relaxed and even stretched out an arm once. The person we are consulting who works with challenging cats of all sorts, tells us to just be patient, don't force communication with touch or staring at him...to maybe side glance at him and slow blink. But he will take lots of time and patience...he will come on his own clock. I get a bit antsy about it...but I tell myself to just relax, and let him do it.
We were told that Amahl would take a long time to settle into what he will become, to open up. That has proved to be true.
He seems healthy, is eating well, body functions are good. He doesn’t look so scared inside his cubby. He does come out of his cubby at night to eat and use his litter box. A concern is that he has a rather blank look on his face. We are playing gently with him...with a mouse on a string at the end of a stick, dangled in front of his cubby. He watches it, which is good. But he doesn’t yet react in any way.
We do fear that there are some mentation issues, perhaps some brain damage. He has a lovely little room with a window that he can see out of from his favorite cubby in a tower. We are going to put a bird feeder outside, I think...being cautious about bears, of course. He used to look extremely wary and tense in his cubby when we would go in to visit. But now he looks more relaxed and even stretched out an arm once. The person we are consulting who works with challenging cats of all sorts, tells us to just be patient, don't force communication with touch or staring at him...to maybe side glance at him and slow blink. But he will take lots of time and patience...he will come on his own clock. I get a bit antsy about it...but I tell myself to just relax, and let him do it.
May 1, 2021 - New Beginnings
As you know, Amahl was moved to a smaller room at the Shelter...very bright and sunny with a nice little tower next to the window. The tower has a cubby in it that he loves to sit in...and from which he can look out the window.
He seems to be well after his surgery a week ago...back to his normal. He eats and uses the litter box at night, but otherwise stays in his tower cubby during the day. On the advice of an excellent behavior person who has worked with other cats of ours, at this point, we are only going in and sitting...very low voice, if any...always looking down or slow blinking if we look in on him. We even sing him lullabies...but haven't noticed if that puts him to sleep. He did allow a paw touch and a nose touch...but he is still quite wary....and at this point, those need to be few and far between.
We originally named him Amahl from an operetta about a crippled boy who gives up his crutch and can then walk...because we thought he was going to have a lot of trouble with mobility, perhaps from a head injury. But mobility seems fine. So we looked up the meaning of his name. Amahl: labor, hard work; pure; hope; lamb. These seem so appropriate...it may take hard work, but his situation is full of hope....given enough time and patience.
The photo was taken April 30. He is in his tower cubby.
As you know, Amahl was moved to a smaller room at the Shelter...very bright and sunny with a nice little tower next to the window. The tower has a cubby in it that he loves to sit in...and from which he can look out the window.
He seems to be well after his surgery a week ago...back to his normal. He eats and uses the litter box at night, but otherwise stays in his tower cubby during the day. On the advice of an excellent behavior person who has worked with other cats of ours, at this point, we are only going in and sitting...very low voice, if any...always looking down or slow blinking if we look in on him. We even sing him lullabies...but haven't noticed if that puts him to sleep. He did allow a paw touch and a nose touch...but he is still quite wary....and at this point, those need to be few and far between.
We originally named him Amahl from an operetta about a crippled boy who gives up his crutch and can then walk...because we thought he was going to have a lot of trouble with mobility, perhaps from a head injury. But mobility seems fine. So we looked up the meaning of his name. Amahl: labor, hard work; pure; hope; lamb. These seem so appropriate...it may take hard work, but his situation is full of hope....given enough time and patience.
The photo was taken April 30. He is in his tower cubby.
April 23, 2021 - Time and Patience
For many of the cats we get, it is so hard to know what their past has been like, what they have had to deal with. This is true of Amahl.
Amahl is doing well. But the more we get to know him, the more convinced we are that he has had very little human contact. He is still very afraid of humans...allows a little petting around the head, but growls while you are doing that. At this point, he is pretty hard to actually handle. He has been in a very large room...but we are thinking that that may be scary to him. So, we will be moving him to a smaller room, with lots of cubbies and a tower with a cubby, and an outside window for him to look out.
We are going to need to keep him for quite a while, and work through various plans to try to socialize him, to win his trust. He is all tended to now...vaccinations, tested, de-flead and dewormed...and neutered, and microchipped. People come in to read to him, try giving him food on the end of a spoon...but he isn’t interested. He is so wary.
Ultimately, when he goes home, he will take a lot of patience and time in a very quiet and gentle setting, with not a lot going on, but with good space and light. It might do him well to be with a gentle, cat-friendly cat, as a companion. And his human will need to be very cat savvy. At the moment, his most active time is at night. That is when he comes out to eat and use the litter box.
He is very precious and we will do our best with him. He has a rough go of it. We will keep the faith.
For many of the cats we get, it is so hard to know what their past has been like, what they have had to deal with. This is true of Amahl.
Amahl is doing well. But the more we get to know him, the more convinced we are that he has had very little human contact. He is still very afraid of humans...allows a little petting around the head, but growls while you are doing that. At this point, he is pretty hard to actually handle. He has been in a very large room...but we are thinking that that may be scary to him. So, we will be moving him to a smaller room, with lots of cubbies and a tower with a cubby, and an outside window for him to look out.
We are going to need to keep him for quite a while, and work through various plans to try to socialize him, to win his trust. He is all tended to now...vaccinations, tested, de-flead and dewormed...and neutered, and microchipped. People come in to read to him, try giving him food on the end of a spoon...but he isn’t interested. He is so wary.
Ultimately, when he goes home, he will take a lot of patience and time in a very quiet and gentle setting, with not a lot going on, but with good space and light. It might do him well to be with a gentle, cat-friendly cat, as a companion. And his human will need to be very cat savvy. At the moment, his most active time is at night. That is when he comes out to eat and use the litter box.
He is very precious and we will do our best with him. He has a rough go of it. We will keep the faith.
April 12, 2021 Update - Little step by little step
Over the past few days, there have been little sweet changes in Amahl. He has come out from under his chair tent (a chair with a sheet over it, with a bed under and a pet heating pad) and into a cubby where he is still somewhat enclosed...but there is nothing covering the front. A bold move! Several of us have been reading to him….”Trooper” about a Bobcat.
Amahl slow-blinked on that one….and something else that must not have been too scintillating because he began snoring.
Today he went to the vet because we were a bit concerned that he might have an infection in his mouth. No infection was found. He was given a Convenia shot (long lasting antibiotic) just to be on the safe side.
Thank you for your good wishes for Amahl…..from Amahl and all of us at KAS.
Over the past few days, there have been little sweet changes in Amahl. He has come out from under his chair tent (a chair with a sheet over it, with a bed under and a pet heating pad) and into a cubby where he is still somewhat enclosed...but there is nothing covering the front. A bold move! Several of us have been reading to him….”Trooper” about a Bobcat.
Amahl slow-blinked on that one….and something else that must not have been too scintillating because he began snoring.
Today he went to the vet because we were a bit concerned that he might have an infection in his mouth. No infection was found. He was given a Convenia shot (long lasting antibiotic) just to be on the safe side.
Thank you for your good wishes for Amahl…..from Amahl and all of us at KAS.
April 10, 2021 Update - Taking Time
We are so grateful for everyone’s support for Amahl, financially, prayers, good thoughts, hope.
We have received some excellent suggestions for his socialization. It is going to take a while to gain his trust. It will be in very slow increments, gentle touches, reading to him, feeding him with a spoon or the end of a finger. The changes may be very slow...at least for a while. And who knows, one glorious day, he may just decide things are okay and safe.
We are going to take a break from updates...but will keep you posted now and then, when special changes happen. And we will show you photos as he becomes more trusting.
In the meantime, please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
We are so grateful for everyone’s support for Amahl, financially, prayers, good thoughts, hope.
We have received some excellent suggestions for his socialization. It is going to take a while to gain his trust. It will be in very slow increments, gentle touches, reading to him, feeding him with a spoon or the end of a finger. The changes may be very slow...at least for a while. And who knows, one glorious day, he may just decide things are okay and safe.
We are going to take a break from updates...but will keep you posted now and then, when special changes happen. And we will show you photos as he becomes more trusting.
In the meantime, please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
April 7, 2021 Morning Update - Needing Great Patience and Love
One of our volunteers, Nikki, is taking Amahl under her wing and will be spending special time with him.
We don’t know if he has always been very shy and frightened or whether that is a result of his accident.
Here are some of Nikki’s observations as she visited with him on the evening of April 6th:
“I spent almost 2 hours here tonight with Amahl, mostly just sitting close by or right beside him on my phone or doodling on some paper. I spoke a little with him and he was listening, but never moved an inch.
I attempted to move him to my lap twice, only succeeding the second time. First time my knee bumped the chair he was under as I was lifting him and he spooked, hissed, then slinked back away further under. Gave him a good 20-30 minutes before trying again, and no fuss that time.
Amahl was in my lap for maybe 5-6 minutes before my foot fell asleep, and as I tried to maneuver him to the other side of my lap so I could readjust my legs, he took off again under the cubby. I didn't try to make him come out again after that.
The time that he was in my lap, he'd very slowly lift his head to look up at me... then would duck back down again as soon as he noticed me watching him. He did this several times before relaxing enough to keep his head up. I petted him, but mostly just let him sit there to get used to it.
He's gonna take a while to come out of his shell.”
We are so grateful for all of the support and generosity Amahl has received. Thank you!!
One of our volunteers, Nikki, is taking Amahl under her wing and will be spending special time with him.
We don’t know if he has always been very shy and frightened or whether that is a result of his accident.
Here are some of Nikki’s observations as she visited with him on the evening of April 6th:
“I spent almost 2 hours here tonight with Amahl, mostly just sitting close by or right beside him on my phone or doodling on some paper. I spoke a little with him and he was listening, but never moved an inch.
I attempted to move him to my lap twice, only succeeding the second time. First time my knee bumped the chair he was under as I was lifting him and he spooked, hissed, then slinked back away further under. Gave him a good 20-30 minutes before trying again, and no fuss that time.
Amahl was in my lap for maybe 5-6 minutes before my foot fell asleep, and as I tried to maneuver him to the other side of my lap so I could readjust my legs, he took off again under the cubby. I didn't try to make him come out again after that.
The time that he was in my lap, he'd very slowly lift his head to look up at me... then would duck back down again as soon as he noticed me watching him. He did this several times before relaxing enough to keep his head up. I petted him, but mostly just let him sit there to get used to it.
He's gonna take a while to come out of his shell.”
We are so grateful for all of the support and generosity Amahl has received. Thank you!!
April 6, 2021 - New Digs
On Sunday, April 4, Amahl was moved into a new and very special room. It is about 10 feet by 10 feet, has wonderful lighting, its own thermostat, and a large window for him to see any goings on in the Shelter. He looks very good. His fur is thick and shiny, with beautiful tabby markings. His eyes are clearer. But he is very very shy. He is not aggressive in any way...and he will enjoy petting if you initiate it. He has lots of places to hide so he can feel comfortable. Right now his favorite spot is under a chair with a sheet tent over it, and a nice warming pad underneath. He won’t come out yet while anyone is there...but if you sit with him and talk softly, he will let you reach in and stroke him. He does come out at night...because his food is gone in the morning...and his litter box has been used.
Several of our volunteers are spending good time with him, just sitting, talking, stroking. One will come often in the evenings to give him some special one on one time, gently, carefully.
It is hard to say whether this shy behavior is who Amahl was and is, or if the traumatic event of last week has shaken him so that he is scared and shy. Time will tell. We haven’t been able to observe him moving about yet, to know if there is any movement difficulty. Again, time will tell.
Over the next weeks, if warranted, he will be neutered and microchipped. And if it seems the right thing to do, we will look further into any brain damage. But for now, observing and giving him a quiet gentle space to explore is the way to go. Cats are very resilient and often can heal themselves.
You have all been incredibly supportive and generous. We are so grateful.
Thank you!!
On Sunday, April 4, Amahl was moved into a new and very special room. It is about 10 feet by 10 feet, has wonderful lighting, its own thermostat, and a large window for him to see any goings on in the Shelter. He looks very good. His fur is thick and shiny, with beautiful tabby markings. His eyes are clearer. But he is very very shy. He is not aggressive in any way...and he will enjoy petting if you initiate it. He has lots of places to hide so he can feel comfortable. Right now his favorite spot is under a chair with a sheet tent over it, and a nice warming pad underneath. He won’t come out yet while anyone is there...but if you sit with him and talk softly, he will let you reach in and stroke him. He does come out at night...because his food is gone in the morning...and his litter box has been used.
Several of our volunteers are spending good time with him, just sitting, talking, stroking. One will come often in the evenings to give him some special one on one time, gently, carefully.
It is hard to say whether this shy behavior is who Amahl was and is, or if the traumatic event of last week has shaken him so that he is scared and shy. Time will tell. We haven’t been able to observe him moving about yet, to know if there is any movement difficulty. Again, time will tell.
Over the next weeks, if warranted, he will be neutered and microchipped. And if it seems the right thing to do, we will look further into any brain damage. But for now, observing and giving him a quiet gentle space to explore is the way to go. Cats are very resilient and often can heal themselves.
You have all been incredibly supportive and generous. We are so grateful.
Thank you!!
April 3, 2021 - New Digs, New Beginnings
Amahl came to the Shelter yesterday afternoon, Friday. He is in a warm, well-lit, but small-ish room, within an area that will keep his movement to a minimum, just for a short while. Rod brought him in and reported that he was quite quiet and seemed calm. Overnight he ate both his wet and dry food, as well as peed in his box. He is lying in his litter box, rather than the nice soft bed...but that is somewhat typical of cats new to the Shelter. It shows they are nervous and is somehow comforting. Tomorrow, we will move him to a much larger space, which will have cubbies to hide in, bedding, toys, all the essentials for him to begin to explore, to get a bit of exercise. He does need to start moving. But we will cut off any access to climbing, at this point. He did allow some petting this afternoon, didn’t flinch from it, and there was a very faint purr, I think. I was glad to see his pupils at normal size. They had been rather dilated.
Later tonight, Nikki, one of our fabulous and very cat savvy volunteers shared her visit with Amahl.
“Amahl doesn't appear to be hurting anywhere from what I can tell. I gently coaxed him out of the litter box he was lying in and placed him down onto my lap to look him over. Felt around his stomach, checked his bladder (which didn't feel very full) and looked at his ears, gums and eyes. All of which he allowed me to do with zero fuss.
He has a bloody splotch on the inside of his left eye, upward above his iris. I took a picture and I'll have Caleb send it to Helen, in case that's something concerning.
When I was sure he wasn't in pain and just hiding it, I slowly stretched him out to have a better look at his belly. While it didn't hurt him, he must have felt too vulnerable that way and climbed up my shoulder to hop down and skuttle back into his litterbox. He is alert, just scared.
Caleb mentioned to me that Amahl may have become a little "slow" after his injury... well, he's capable of letting us know when enough is enough, so that's good.
Before I left Amahl alone for the night, I moved him into his actual bed, and I almost got him purring again.”
Amahl came to the Shelter yesterday afternoon, Friday. He is in a warm, well-lit, but small-ish room, within an area that will keep his movement to a minimum, just for a short while. Rod brought him in and reported that he was quite quiet and seemed calm. Overnight he ate both his wet and dry food, as well as peed in his box. He is lying in his litter box, rather than the nice soft bed...but that is somewhat typical of cats new to the Shelter. It shows they are nervous and is somehow comforting. Tomorrow, we will move him to a much larger space, which will have cubbies to hide in, bedding, toys, all the essentials for him to begin to explore, to get a bit of exercise. He does need to start moving. But we will cut off any access to climbing, at this point. He did allow some petting this afternoon, didn’t flinch from it, and there was a very faint purr, I think. I was glad to see his pupils at normal size. They had been rather dilated.
Later tonight, Nikki, one of our fabulous and very cat savvy volunteers shared her visit with Amahl.
“Amahl doesn't appear to be hurting anywhere from what I can tell. I gently coaxed him out of the litter box he was lying in and placed him down onto my lap to look him over. Felt around his stomach, checked his bladder (which didn't feel very full) and looked at his ears, gums and eyes. All of which he allowed me to do with zero fuss.
He has a bloody splotch on the inside of his left eye, upward above his iris. I took a picture and I'll have Caleb send it to Helen, in case that's something concerning.
When I was sure he wasn't in pain and just hiding it, I slowly stretched him out to have a better look at his belly. While it didn't hurt him, he must have felt too vulnerable that way and climbed up my shoulder to hop down and skuttle back into his litterbox. He is alert, just scared.
Caleb mentioned to me that Amahl may have become a little "slow" after his injury... well, he's capable of letting us know when enough is enough, so that's good.
Before I left Amahl alone for the night, I moved him into his actual bed, and I almost got him purring again.”
April 2, 2021 - Mid Day:
Time for The Next Step-
We talked with Dr. Hunt today. They had been concerned about Amahl yesterday because he hadn’t eaten or drunk or used the litter box overnight Wednesday. So, they decided to once again give him fluids and to feed him with a syringe. However, that seemed to jump start him because overnight last night, he ate all his wet and dry food, and used the litter box to urinate. Today they are giving him his vaccinations (rabies and his first distemper or FVRCP) and Rod Lauman will be picking him up later today and bringing him to the Shelter where he will have his own private room. Everything will be on floor level so we can begin to see how his motor skills are. Dr. Hunt does feel there is a bit of dullness, a slow mentation. Whether that will last or not, only time will tell. But she said he is so sweet. “There is not a mean bone in his body...he never complained, even with everything we have done to him”. And if his slight dullness remains, perhaps from a head injury, that will just fine. When he first came in, he was making biscuits, so that is a good sign. And he must be very scared at the vet, with all the animals coming and going...so to have him in the shelter, in his own quiet room with be a relief, to be sure.
Leslie Jacques at WA gave him a snuggle box, which he seems to appreciate.
Thank you to all of you for your sweet thoughts and your generosity....and to Western Ave Vet Clinic for their loving care of this sweet boy.
Time for The Next Step-
We talked with Dr. Hunt today. They had been concerned about Amahl yesterday because he hadn’t eaten or drunk or used the litter box overnight Wednesday. So, they decided to once again give him fluids and to feed him with a syringe. However, that seemed to jump start him because overnight last night, he ate all his wet and dry food, and used the litter box to urinate. Today they are giving him his vaccinations (rabies and his first distemper or FVRCP) and Rod Lauman will be picking him up later today and bringing him to the Shelter where he will have his own private room. Everything will be on floor level so we can begin to see how his motor skills are. Dr. Hunt does feel there is a bit of dullness, a slow mentation. Whether that will last or not, only time will tell. But she said he is so sweet. “There is not a mean bone in his body...he never complained, even with everything we have done to him”. And if his slight dullness remains, perhaps from a head injury, that will just fine. When he first came in, he was making biscuits, so that is a good sign. And he must be very scared at the vet, with all the animals coming and going...so to have him in the shelter, in his own quiet room with be a relief, to be sure.
Leslie Jacques at WA gave him a snuggle box, which he seems to appreciate.
Thank you to all of you for your sweet thoughts and your generosity....and to Western Ave Vet Clinic for their loving care of this sweet boy.
April 2, 2021 - Early morning:
Western Ave was very busy yesterday, so we didn't get an update...but we will later today. Amahl is still there...and being well cared for. And we are making plans to bring him to the shelter, and begin his road to recovery in whatever way is comfortable for him. Dr. Hunt said on Wednesday that she is "cautiously optimistic"...and that sounds very good to us.
March 31, 2021 - Evening:
A Quiet Night
Amahl has had his IV catheter removed. He had a gentle afternoon. We will see how the night goes. If it goes well, we can start to think about bringing him to the Shelter in the next few days for recuperation and healing. Once he is with us at the Shelter, we can begin to monitor how he does with gradually increasing his area to move about in. Hopefully, he will continue on his journey back to health. I confess….I cannot wait to see if he will get in a lap, purr, play, explore, perhaps even run about a bit. But first things first….gentle healing.
Thank you, everyone, for all your loving thoughts.
March 31, 2021:
Short but Very Very Sweet!
We got this update this morning from Kait at Western Ave.
“Guess who ate by himself last night? And he urinated in his box! “
I don’t think I have ever been so excited about a mostly empty food bowl!
So many people are joining in their support of Amahl, pulling for him. It makes one feel so filled with the goodness of people.
Thank you!
Western Ave was very busy yesterday, so we didn't get an update...but we will later today. Amahl is still there...and being well cared for. And we are making plans to bring him to the shelter, and begin his road to recovery in whatever way is comfortable for him. Dr. Hunt said on Wednesday that she is "cautiously optimistic"...and that sounds very good to us.
March 31, 2021 - Evening:
A Quiet Night
Amahl has had his IV catheter removed. He had a gentle afternoon. We will see how the night goes. If it goes well, we can start to think about bringing him to the Shelter in the next few days for recuperation and healing. Once he is with us at the Shelter, we can begin to monitor how he does with gradually increasing his area to move about in. Hopefully, he will continue on his journey back to health. I confess….I cannot wait to see if he will get in a lap, purr, play, explore, perhaps even run about a bit. But first things first….gentle healing.
Thank you, everyone, for all your loving thoughts.
March 31, 2021:
Short but Very Very Sweet!
We got this update this morning from Kait at Western Ave.
“Guess who ate by himself last night? And he urinated in his box! “
I don’t think I have ever been so excited about a mostly empty food bowl!
So many people are joining in their support of Amahl, pulling for him. It makes one feel so filled with the goodness of people.
Thank you!
March 30, 2021:
9:00 A.M.
First and foremost, thank you to so many many people who are supporting Amahl in this ordeal, this journey. All those good wishes pulling for him must be reaching through our collective consciousness and filling him with love and hope.
This morning, Western Ave reports that he seems in some pain so he was given pain meds. In addition, overnight he had urinated. It was not in his litter box but on his puppy pads. He doesn’t seem to be able or want to move at this point...but he was able to void. He hadn’t eaten overnight. So, they will be giving him food slurry using a syringe throughout the day. He is able to swallow that. Part of his not being able or not wanting to eat may be a laceration on his tongue...not deep, not requiring stitches, but nevertheless uncomfortable. There was a bit of dried blood on his whiskers and in one ear, which has been cleaned up. He is resting quietly. It is a good sign that he was able to use his front paws yesterday to knead, to make biscuits. He hasn’t purred yet. But he seems to enjoy touch, to like being stroked.
10:00 A.M.
Leslie reports that Amahl is able to walk. They put him gently on the floor and he was able to slowly try to scurry away from her (he apparently didn’t think much of her taking his blood. Ha.) His walking is very slow, as if it is painful. But it is a wonderful sign, as there was concern that he wouldn’t be able to walk. He was tested for FeLV/FIV and was negative. Blood work results will be along shortly.
For the afternoon, Kait at Western Ave gave Amahl a syringe of slurry food every hour or hour and a half. There wasn’t much movement on his part. He was probably tired from his little morning walk. He is apparently able to clench his jaws pretty tightly...when folks are trying to feed him….but they were able to get a fair amount of food in him. He did have an IV in all day for continued fluids.
And now he will have a quiet night...hopefully, with a good sleep...and some good healing going on.
Thank you again for all your wonderful good wishes and generosity!
March 29, 2021:
It Takes a Village:
On March 29th, we received a call from John Cookson, asking for help for a cat that Jordan Anderson had found by the side of the road in Cabot, and had taken to Peggy Duke. We told John that Kingdom Animal Shelter would take the sweet cat into its care...and for him to take the cat to Western Ave Veterinary Clinic in St. Johnsbury. Dr. Melora Hunt called a bit later to give an update. The cat is a two year old male, a tabby. X-rays did not show any damage to his internal organs. But there appears to be head trauma, as there was blood coming from his nose...and the control of his right side seems compromised. He seems to wince a bit when touched, but he will also "make biscuits" with kneading. And they say he is very sweet. At the moment, he is on IV fluids and pain medications, and safe and cozy and sound on his own warming pad in his little condo. Time is going to tell how extensive any head trauma might be. Cats are amazing healers...from strokes or traumas. So, we will do our best for this guy, to try to make him as whole as possible.
His name is now Amahl. Perhaps you know the Christmas story of "Amahl and the Night Visitors". Amahl is a young boy who is crippled and has trouble walking. But he decides he wants to give his crutch to someone who may need it more, and so he does....and by that gift, he is able to walk again.
If you would like to follow his progress, we will update our Facebook page and this site with updates. If you wish to contribute to Amahl's emergency care, please do so using the donate button below.
9:00 A.M.
First and foremost, thank you to so many many people who are supporting Amahl in this ordeal, this journey. All those good wishes pulling for him must be reaching through our collective consciousness and filling him with love and hope.
This morning, Western Ave reports that he seems in some pain so he was given pain meds. In addition, overnight he had urinated. It was not in his litter box but on his puppy pads. He doesn’t seem to be able or want to move at this point...but he was able to void. He hadn’t eaten overnight. So, they will be giving him food slurry using a syringe throughout the day. He is able to swallow that. Part of his not being able or not wanting to eat may be a laceration on his tongue...not deep, not requiring stitches, but nevertheless uncomfortable. There was a bit of dried blood on his whiskers and in one ear, which has been cleaned up. He is resting quietly. It is a good sign that he was able to use his front paws yesterday to knead, to make biscuits. He hasn’t purred yet. But he seems to enjoy touch, to like being stroked.
10:00 A.M.
Leslie reports that Amahl is able to walk. They put him gently on the floor and he was able to slowly try to scurry away from her (he apparently didn’t think much of her taking his blood. Ha.) His walking is very slow, as if it is painful. But it is a wonderful sign, as there was concern that he wouldn’t be able to walk. He was tested for FeLV/FIV and was negative. Blood work results will be along shortly.
For the afternoon, Kait at Western Ave gave Amahl a syringe of slurry food every hour or hour and a half. There wasn’t much movement on his part. He was probably tired from his little morning walk. He is apparently able to clench his jaws pretty tightly...when folks are trying to feed him….but they were able to get a fair amount of food in him. He did have an IV in all day for continued fluids.
And now he will have a quiet night...hopefully, with a good sleep...and some good healing going on.
Thank you again for all your wonderful good wishes and generosity!
March 29, 2021:
It Takes a Village:
On March 29th, we received a call from John Cookson, asking for help for a cat that Jordan Anderson had found by the side of the road in Cabot, and had taken to Peggy Duke. We told John that Kingdom Animal Shelter would take the sweet cat into its care...and for him to take the cat to Western Ave Veterinary Clinic in St. Johnsbury. Dr. Melora Hunt called a bit later to give an update. The cat is a two year old male, a tabby. X-rays did not show any damage to his internal organs. But there appears to be head trauma, as there was blood coming from his nose...and the control of his right side seems compromised. He seems to wince a bit when touched, but he will also "make biscuits" with kneading. And they say he is very sweet. At the moment, he is on IV fluids and pain medications, and safe and cozy and sound on his own warming pad in his little condo. Time is going to tell how extensive any head trauma might be. Cats are amazing healers...from strokes or traumas. So, we will do our best for this guy, to try to make him as whole as possible.
His name is now Amahl. Perhaps you know the Christmas story of "Amahl and the Night Visitors". Amahl is a young boy who is crippled and has trouble walking. But he decides he wants to give his crutch to someone who may need it more, and so he does....and by that gift, he is able to walk again.
If you would like to follow his progress, we will update our Facebook page and this site with updates. If you wish to contribute to Amahl's emergency care, please do so using the donate button below.