By: Sonia Redpath
“In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this.” –
Terry Pratchett
Hi I’m Sonia and I’m a volunteer at Tyneside Adoption Centre. I’m also a professionally trained Feline groomer which is really rewarding but also interesting and sometimes testing!
I came to the centre looking for a companion for my existing cat who, after six months, was still grieving losing his fluffy companion.
We were matched to Bruce; a cat with Chronic Kidney Disease which, it was suspected, was the result of poisoning – possibly with antifreeze. Bruce wasn’t getting adopted as many were concerned about vets bills. However he stole my son’s heart and the rest is history! I offered my support as a volunteer as I believed that cats interact better why hey look and feel better. Grooming is affection, bonding and what mother cat offers them. Adopters replace that bond, so helping cats feel better would surely help find adopters!
It seems to work and Bruce loves being brushed. He also loves the rewards – food! He’s the most amazing addition to the family and I am so glad he was matched to us.
Cats have always been a constant in my life and always will be.
On the 20th October 2018, we brought home a new addition to our furry clan – Bruce.
From our first meeting, I knew he’d be right at home with us, but sadly Bruce had been overlooked for some time at the centre as he was in Stage 2 of Chronic Kidney Disease, which was being managed with regular blood tests and a special prescription diet.
I was given a list of what to look out for and we came home and tried to treat him as a well cat, not a sick cat. Bruce wasn’t getting chosen at the centre as many were worried about the vets’ bills commitment.
It was recommended that Bruce should have regular checks with my vet every three months which included blood tests and urine tests. We did this for first two, but it was evident being in a cat carrier was worrying poor Bruce, he must have thought he was being sent away! Bruce had been a stray before arriving at the centre, and once he came home and got a taste of the good life he was not risking giving it up!
As Bruce was stable and stress is an issue for exacerbating CKD my vet and I agreed that a check every six months would be enough to keep a close eye on Bruce, as long as he wasn’t showing any signs of deterioration.
Bruce is really clever and he learnt clicker training really quickly.
He had no interest at first until he realised food was involved as the payment! Bruce has always loved food! The centre remarked how much he loved food and as a late neuter he is chunky and muscly my vet said! This is on his side with CKD as weight loss could be an issue. By weighing his food we are able to monitor his weight stability and it hasn’t gone down – another plus to celebrate!
Every six months we are reminded that he has this condition, but in life he really is no different to his two other cat companions that he lives with. Bruce is the most relaxed and loving cat. As a stray, the centre made me aware he could wander, however he’s the opposite (!) when he first got garden access to toilet train he would pick somewhere where he could see me waiting at the door and rush his toilet break to make sure he could get back in and not be shut out again.
It was heart breaking – he thought that he’d be abandoned again.
Bruce is a creature of habit; he loves a lap at same time every afternoon and night.
He loves giving head bumps and bouncing up like a bear to head bump your hand. He really is the perfect pet and the most peaceful creature. It’s as if he’s always been here and we couldn’t ask for a better adoption. He was our first choice of match by Chris at the centre and it really was a match made in heaven for him and us.
Here’s to making lots of rescue cats make their new families.
Long live Bruce the Bear!!!!
Sonia has been a member of our fantastic volunteer team since late 2018. Sonia started her grooming career with less furry companions, spending 22 years as a hairdresser before starting her own professional feline grooming business. Cats are a huge part of Sonia’s life, having only spent 4 years of her life without one! When Sonia isn’t busy making the cats of the North East happier and sleeker, she enjoys spending time with her own furry clan and her loving (non-furry) family.
Cats Protection Tyneside Adoption Centre 