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Page 3 .. Calico
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Third Chapter ...
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Calico's Story
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| Calico was 'booked' as a kitten to go and live with a family in Devon. She duly went, a strong healthy blue-cream colourpoint kitten at the age of 14 weeks. She had been gone about 4 weeks when we received a phone call to say that Calico would have to return to us since she had 'irreversible liver damage' and would need to be on expensive medication for the rest of her life. This came as a shock to us since Calico had been thoroughly examined at least twice by our vet before leaving us, but we asked the owners to fetch her back, which they did, and we refunded their money. Calico looked fine to us, so I promptly took her to our vet who listened to the background story. A blood test was taken and a full examination carried out ... the verdict was that Calico was perfectly healthy and her liver function was OK. At our request our vet phoned the vet in Devon and learned that the 'owners' had taken Calico to him because she had a 'touch of the runs' (well, what a rarity !!) ... and when they asked the vet what might be the cause he gave them a list of possible causes, from a simple dietary change to the worst possible scenario which was ... guess what ... irreversible liver damage which would be treatable, but life-long and expensive. The new owners had decided that it must be the latter. We phoned them and related the story so far ... they then said "can we come and fetch her back ?" ... we said "no, she will stay here with us for the rest of her 'short' life". This is exactly what she did ... for 13 years ... and what a super pet and great friend she has been. How much these folk missed out on a load of Calico love and therapy they will never know. But, she lived a long and happy life with us here in Cornwall. Calico was a particular friend of mine, following me round the garden and sitting at the forestry table with me, and with Piaf. Calico had a very loud meouw which was always heard as a greeting on meeting ... unfortunately she would let loose at full volume in the early hours of the morning if I went downstairs for a 'pee'. It was difficult to suppress her delight at this extra litt;le encounter with me. This all started with our very first colourpoint ... Daisy ... the 'line' is as follows ... Daisy ... Lucerne ... Pimpernel ... Aspen ... Calico ... Cuppucine ... Fleur ... Calico ... it will be quiet without you here ... thank you for being a great friend !!
Post script ... It had been my intention that, when Calico died I would take her, in a box, to her erstwhile home in Devon to say
"You
were right ... she has died from irreversible liver failure!"
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... but in the end I didn't .. she stays here with us ... |
