Louisville Medicine Volume 65, Issue 8 | Page 26

Next week my assistant successfully negotiated the adoption protocol and we got our new kitten. Nonetheless my assistant was called six months later to check on the animal,“ Is he still alive?”-‘ Yes.’“ How is she doing?” –‘ Ok.’“ Has he been fixed?” –‘ Yes.’

Six weeks had passed, and I still thought about that old black cat without a home. I spoke with my old friend Margery who knows a lot about felines and has always had three or more.‘ Would adding another be difficult – an unwanted intruder in the cattery?’“ Probably not,” she opined.“ Just make the introduction slowly. Keep Pat in his own space and slowly introduce him to others.” My decision was made. I went to the basement and got the spare animal carrier, cleaned it out and put a fresh towel inside. I drove the Toyota one county over, determined to get the cat. Pat’ s cage was now in a less prominent spot. He did not perk up when his name was called. Another guy was there wanting to finally take home a black lab.

The adoption people were not around but nonetheless, the fellow got his dog, romped around outside the store with him and took him home. Here, the proprietor of the store said,“ I cannot let you have the cat but sit with him awhile and bond with him.” So, I sat in a side room and he loaded Pat into my lap. A somber, quiet, inactive lump of cat who neither struggled nor scratched nor purred.

“ Just let me know when you want out, I don’ t want to have to chase him around the store in case he gets out,” he said before leaving. I patted Pat and looked at his somewhat unkempt coat which now had flecks of dandruff. Did I really want to drive out there again and encounter the lady with the contracts, the vet visits, and a one hundred dollar‘ donation’ on the brain? I thought not. I refused to be sorry for trying to provide for another old fellow traveler. Finally, I quietly carried Pat out of the back room, put him in his cage, escaped the store and drove off in my truck.

What is the point of this sad tale? Friends from the hospital just gave my last cats to me as kittens. We have become too serious as a society. The business of contracts, adoptions, bonding, donations and obligatory professional services has taken what could be a kind, life-enhancing experience and turned it into an ordeal. The‘ what ifs’ – what if my purposes in adding a feline to my household were nefarious? Why should I be suspected of causing harm or danger or a cause for concern? Is an interest in a black cat a cause for suspicion? Can we relax, take life in stride, and bring a happier ending to this story?

Dr. Seligson is a practicing orthopaedic surgeon with UofL Physicians- Orthopaedics.

GLMS Main Line 502-589-2001 GLMS Fax 502-581-9022

MedCentral Main Line 502-589-2277 MedCentral Fax 502-562-9584

MSPS( Staffing) Main Line 502-589-2006 MSPS( Staffing) Fax 502-562-9581

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