By: Lysa Dobson
“The smallest feline is a masterpiece.” –
Leonardo da Vinci
Ten years ago this summer, I decided to take on the care of a little miracle.
Thirty minutes into her life she had already lost her mother and all of her siblings.
Wow. This little miracle of life was literally in my hands.
She looked like a mouse she was so small, I had no idea of her colour as she still had the remains of her birth on her. Okay, I thought, I will try my best to give you a chance at life. I knew that this would be difficult to say the least. I knew that I was now committed to this angel for a few weeks at least.
Every day for the first four weeks I would bottle-feed her and stimulate her to wee and poo; as that is just what “Mum” would do. I was also aware that a youngster could not regulate its body temperature for another three weeks.
I cannot describe the joy I felt when her eyes first opened, or when her velvet ears opened up.
Caring for my little miracle whilst continuing to work full time was exhausting, but she was worth it. It was my mission to ensure she survived.
Initially she was kept warm at work with me in a small animal carrier with a heat pad bought from a pet store with warmth and regular feeds and cleans. As she grew stronger, my sons and I decided that it was time to give her a name. Up until now I’d been too worried to bond with her too much by naming her … apart from ‘baby girl’ (!) as I really didn’t think she would make it without her mum.
As she was a Torti and had already defeated all odds at thirty minutes into her life we decided on Gloria – “I will survive“!!!
So Gloria Gaynor it was! Legend!
Gloria continued to thrive, so I decided that Gloria would need to live with me and the adoption was organised. It was official!
She grew and grew into the most beautiful cat – and you can bet she lived up to her name as a naughty Torti (so many cat tales to tell).
Unfortunately, my baby became ill very suddenly at 6 months old.
I rushed Gloria to the vets, where she was put straight on fluids and antibiotics and I was informed she was very unwell, and they would try their best. I felt redundant as a cat mum. As her mum.
I visited Gloria three times a day at the surgery as I knew she would be looking for me. I was told that she had an infection, which meant that sadly there was nothing I could do but sit and wait. Those days were tough, tense and emotional; but our Gloria remained true to her name and continued to survive everything that was thrown at her. Day by day Gloria grew stronger until one day we received the all clear. The day that I received the call to say she could come home was up there with one of the best days of my life.
Gloria recovered to give us countless joyous memories that I’ll treasure as long as I live.
However, last summer my beautiful baby suffered injuries that she could not survive from an accident and heartbreakingly we had to say goodbye to Gloria. There was nothing we could do; nothing anyone could do for her.
I had such wonderful years with this beautiful girl and she taught me so much on how to share love and determination. She was my baby, my love and my strength through, at times, very difficult and emotional periods in my life.
One thing that Gloria has taught me is to always try and help the vulnerable, never give up and keep going.
Please don’t be sad reading this as I’m not as what really matters is quality of time, not quantity. I truly believe that.
Miss you so much my beautiful girl.
Love, Mum
XXX
If you are struggling with the loss of a cat, our team at Paws to Listen are here to help. Paws to Listen is a free of charge service run by Cats Protection volunteers. This service offers a confidential support line where owners can speak to trained volunteers who can offer emotional and practical help in coping with the loss of a cat. Lines are open 9am-5pm Mon-Fri: 0800 024 94 94. For more information, please visit www.cats.org.uk/grief.
Lysa has been Deputy Manager at the Tyneside Adoption Centre since 2018, having previously worked elsewhere in the animal welfare sector for over 11 years. Lysa’s life passion is animals and in her spare time she enjoys spending time with her two sons as well as Sprout the cat and dogs Poppy and Piglet.
Cats Protection Tyneside Adoption Centre 