August 6

FINN'S BIG ADVENTURE!!!

Getting started

Checking out the grass

Resting on my foot

Because Finn's world is so limited by his poor mobility, we have decided to try to expand his world a little each day.  We have been taking him out into the yard in the mornings.  Of course, we are always with him and he has been treated with a topical flea/tick preventative.  Our other cats are able to spend time on our screened, lattice-covered porch.  This is not an option for Finn as there are steep stairs.  It is exciting to see Finn show interest in the yard.  He sniffs enthusiastically and explores just a little.  After eating a little grass and exploring a small area, he is exhausted and settles down to rest.  It is a challenge for him to walk on the uneven ground, but if he topples over he is able to get up and try again.  Thought you might enjoy these photos of his big adventure!

August 4

Finn is settling in and getting more comfortable every day.  My daughter stopped by to spend some time with Finn on Saturday while I was at the Adoption Center.  Finn was enjoying being cuddled on the couch.  When she put him on the floor and started to leave. he actually tried to follow her out of the room.  This is the first time he has made an effort to leave his room.  We are waiting until we move in a few weeks to let him have more space to roam.  I don't think he will do much exploring, but we want him to understand that he can check out his surroundings.

Buddy peaking out of the condo.

On another note, we do have another blind cat in the shelter.  Buddy is about 6 years old and 100% blind.  He is a curious fellow and spends much of the day exploring the perimeter of the shelter. Buddy loves to eat and his previous owner indulged him, so Buddy needs to lose a few pounds. He is now eating a healthy diet and is constantly checking out the other cats as he wanders through the room.  In just a little while, Buddy will be available for adoption.  We love him at the shelter and know that he will soon find his new home.  His elderly owner passed away and her husband was not physically able to continue to care for Buddy.  Here is a picture of our handsome guy. He squeezed himself into the condo and was laying on his side posing for the camera.

August 1

Welcome Home Kiss!

Finn loves to be petted.

Finn is settling in nicely.  Yesterday my granddaughters came over and gave him lots of welcome home hugs and kisses.  As you can see, they were very excited to have him home again.  There were tears when he left and tears of joy when he returned.  They are especially excited since we will all be living together very soon!  

Our Finn looks great!

July 29

Home Again!

Finn arrived back in CT yesterday afternoon.  There were many tears as his foster mom brought him to the shelter.  Finn looks wonderful and has received lots of love and special care.  My foster kittens have moved on to another foster home so Finn can have his room again.  He is settling in tonight.  Last night he was a little nervous and tentative, but this morning he was ready to be snuggled.  My husband has been spending time with him and they are now watching the baseball game.  At least my husband is watching - Finn is too busy purring to listen to the game.
Since we are in the process of moving, we are trying to not let the turmoil of packing affect Finn. Our other kitties are sitting on boxes and bins as they are packed.  Guess they want to be sure that they don't get left behind!
I will post some pictures of Finn tomorrow so you can see how great he looks.  We are thrilled to have him back with us and look forward to letting him get to know the other kitties in our family.

July 18, 2014

I know it has been a long time since my last post.  Finn has been enjoying time in MA and his foster mom has fallen in love with his sweet disposition.  After much discussion and many tears, Finn's foster mom has decided for a variety of reasons that he belongs back here with me.  Finn will be staying with her for another week or so while my foster kittens recover from their spay/neuter surgery (had surgery today) and are available for adoption.  I want Finn's room to be ready for him before he comes home.
This has been a difficult decision for all of us.  I have missed Finn terribly since he left, but I know he has been loved and cared for.  His mobility issues in addition to his blindness can seem overwhelming to us, but he remains sweet and affectionate.  My husband and I had decided that if Finn needed to return to POA for any reason, we would keep him with us.
We are in the process of selling our homes and combining households with our daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughters.  Finn knows and loves them already and the girls are thrilled to have Finn coming back.  We have bought a large home together with plenty of room for our animals.  The combined household will consist of one Great Dane/Mastiff mix, four rescued cats, one African Grey Parrot, one Senegal Parrot, and one rabbit.  Fortunately, we will have a large bedroom with plenty of space for Finn so he can meet his new siblings at his own pace. He already has met our Fred, Ginger, and Meko.
I will keep you all updated and will be sure to post pictures when Finn comes back home.  I am so thankful for those of you who have followed Finn's Chronicles and to his foster mom who has taken such loving care of him while I was on vacation and caring for these precious kittens rescued from a feral colony.

May 21, 2014

Home at last!  I am pleased to report that Finn met his new mom yesterday.  She and a friend drove down to the shelter from Massachusetts.  Finn was all packed and ready to go.  He had his bed, his favorite catnip mice, his low condo, his special litter box, and his favorite CD.

There was an instant connection between Finn and Mary.  He explored the shelter while his new mom filled out paperwork.  She has had three blind cats and is very experienced with helping blind cats to become familiar with their surroundings.  Currently Finn will be the only cat in the home, but she is thinking of adding a blind kitten in the future so Finn can have a companion.
Mary texted me last night when she and Finn were settled in.  He was a good boy on the ride home.  She had set up his living space and he was eating and checking out his new home.  A little later she sent me a picture of Finn on his low condo - he had climbed up himself.  He had never climbed up before without our help.  She did send a picture of him happily curled up on his condo.
I will post pictures of Finn's adoption soon and any pictures sent to me by his new mom.
Life without Finn is very different - we do miss him, but know that he is in the right forever home.
Thank you all for caring about Finn and for your patience with me as we prepared Finn to move on to his forever home.  I will endeavor to keep you all informed of his progress.  I know that he has a great future with Mary.  Now I must go and take care of the 2 litters of kittens (7 total) that we found last week while trapping in a feral colony. Since our foster homes are all full - it is kitten season - I have them here at my house.  Life is never boring.

April 25, 2014

I apologize for the lack of posts.  This is an extremely busy time of the year because we are offering a TNR program for feral cat colonies in our area.  We have been very busy trapping and bringing the cats to the vet for spay/neuter, shots, and other necessary treatment.  After they have recovered for a few days in our barn, they are returned to their colony.
Finn has also been a busy boy!  Last week on April 16, Finn saw the eye doctor in Massachusetts. She examined his eyes and determined that his blindness is complete and irreversible.  While it is impossible to know the exact cause, she agrees that it is most likely a result of a vitamin deficiency and malnutrition.  Finn is not fond of riding in a car and the trip was over an hour each way.  I tried a soft carrier this time and he was much happier.  Last Friday Finn went to the vet who treated him and had his neuter surgery.  He is recovered now and doing fine. All the vets feel that he is ready to go to a quiet stable home with no dogs.
Today I decided to let Finn meet Fred, our buff colored guy.  Finn had already met Fred's sister, Ginger.  Fred entered the room with a great deal of interest.  He settled down about 3 feet from Finn.  Although Finn could not see him, he knew Fred was there.  Finn stared in the direction of Fred and did a few "slow blinks".  Fred then started to explore the area around Finn.  He sniffed at Finn's bed and condo, used Finn's litter box, ate a little of Finn's food and finally sniffed at Finn. Finn was fine with all of this - just sat quietly.  When my husband took Fred out, our other cat, Meko, was right outside the door.  She did not enter the room, but Finn sat right up and hissed at her.  For some reason, he is fine with Fred and Ginger, but really becomes defensive around Meko.

Check out Fred and Finn's first meeting today on the video!

Thank you for all your interest and support - I will keep you all updated on Finn's journey to his new home.

April 8, 2014

Finn had a big day!  We went to the vet for a pre-neuter visit.  Finn is doing great - he has gained some weight and is stronger.  His heart is strong and his overall health is good.  The bottom line is that he is ready for his surgery.  He will have a busy week next week.  On Wednesday, April 16, he will travel to MA to see the eye specialist and on Friday, April 18, he will have his surgery.  Finn does not like to travel at all.  He protests loudly in the car.  I am going to try a soft carrier next week to see if he is more comfortable.  He was very happy to get home and started purring as soon as he got back to "his room".  He settled in, had a little snack, and is now on his condo.  We are so thankful that Finn has been able to be treated by the same vet who saw him the first night he was rescued by the ACO.  He will also perform Finn's surgery next week.  Here is a video of Finn taken just a few minutes ago. I guess all is forgiven now that he is back in familiar surroundings.

March 27, 2014

Thought you might like to see a video of Finn playing with one of his toys.  He is finally feeling strong enough to show some interest in the world around him!

The music you hear in the background is from a CD created just for cats.  The music is calming and repetitive and Finn does seem to enjoy it.  He perks up when we turn it on and makes little happy noises.

March 25, 2014

Over the weekend someone brought a very low cat condo into the shelter.  I thought that Finn might like something different, so I brought it home and put it in his room.  He sniffed at it, but did seem curious.  Today I placed him on the top. He purred loudly and felt around with his front feet.  I helped him climb down.  In a few minutes I put him back on top again. He settled down for a few minutes, then climbed down with great confidence.  Taking that first step required some courage!  

He was exhausted and curled up for a little nap.

Life has been pretty quiet with Finn for the last few weeks.  He is eating, resting and getting stronger.  He is also getting more vocal and often expresses his concern when he is unsure of what is happening around him.  I met a vet who has much experience with special needs cats.  I shared with her the problem I was having with all litters.  Because Finn sometimes has to sit down when he uses the box, he would often have pieces of litter stuck to his side.  This would happen even with "non-tracking" litter.  She recommended a special system that uses solid litter pellets and puppy pads in a tray below the box.  This system works great for Finn and he took to it right away. Keeping himself neat and clean is now much easier!  Finn is finally starting to fill out around his shoulder area.  We are hoping he will soon be strong enough for his surgery and visit to the eye doctor.  Then he will be ready to go to his forever home.

March 7,2014

This has been an exciting week for Finn.  He is getting stronger every day and also starting to be more vocal.  He got to meet Ginger, our calico, last Friday.  Ginger is a very mellow and tentative girl with a very gentle demeanor.  We let her come in to Finn's room and she headed right for his food dish.  Finn knew she was there because he was sniffing and moving his head to figure out where she was.  He finally realized she was right near his bed and eating his food.  He apparently had no objection to sharing his food and just settled down in his bed while she ate.  As you can see, Ginger has an unusual limb deformity on her right rear leg.  This doesn't slow her down at all.  She climbs, jumps, and has been known to catch an occasional mouse in our basement.  We will let Finn meet Ginger's brother, Fred, soon.  Fred has deformed front legs - missing some bones and others are bent.  Like Ginger, Fred doesn't know that he is handicapped.  I suspect that Finn doesn't know he is a blind cat with deformed limbs.  He only knows that he is a cat!

Finn is using his litter box without any accidents and is starting to groom himself regularly.  This morning he spent quite a lot of time washing and getting ready for the day.  When he first came to us, he had no strength for anything beyond eating and sleeping.  I would pick him up and put him in the litter box and then put him near his food and water.  Now he is navigating on his own and there is a noticeable improvement in his walking.  Before he was creeping along the floor and now he is standing tall and strong (for Finn).

In just a few weeks, he should be strong enough for his surgery.  Shortly after that, he should be ready for adoption.  As much as we love him, we want him to have the best home.  We already have a possible adopter who seems perfect for Finn's needs.

Thanks for your interest in Finn.  Keep watching for updates as his chronicles continue.

February 28, 2014

Finn is enjoying his warm room and bed on this cold, sunny day in New England.  I thought you may enjoy seeing this short video of Finn as he finished his lunch and decided it was time for a short nap.

We plan on introducing Finn to our other cats slowly and under close supervision.  Since we know very little about his past life, we want to see if he is comfortable with other cats.  We will bring Ginger, our beautiful calico girl, in to meet him first.  Will let you know how the meeting goes.

In the meantime, we are preparing for adoption day at the shelter.  POA is open on Saturdays from 10:30 to 4:00 for adoptions.  One of our kitties currently available for adoption is also a special needs cat.  Her name is April and she is a lovely little lady.  April has a neurological impairment that causes her to be slow and deliberate in her movements.  She has experienced a few seizures, but does not need any medication right now - just monitoring.  Playful, curious, and friendly, April has lots of love to share.  If you, or anyone who know, is ready to add a special needs cat to your family, please contact us at Protectors of Animals in East Hartford, CT.  Here is a short video of April...isn't she sweet?

February 26, 2014

This was a big day for Finn!  We had a follow-up visit with the vet who cared for Finn when the Animal Control Officer brought him in for treatment.  The doc was very happy to see Finn (Finn is an exceptionally sweet cat and all the staff fell in love with him) and shared some details about Finn's history. The ACO received a phone call from someone who found Finn limping and thought he had been hit by a car.  It appears that Finn was someone's pet.  He never received adequate nutrition and the lack of taurine in his diet ultimately caused him to lose his sight.  Malnutrition also caused the hollow pockets in his bones. Some of you have asked about the shaved area on Finn's back.  His coat was so matted and he was covered with so many fleas that he was shaved by the vet techs.  This way the mats were removed and he could be treated for fleas. The doctor feels that Finn was fed either table scraps or dog food which do not provide proper nutrition for cats.  While his muscles will become stronger, nothing can be done about his limb deformities.  With proper nutrition he may regain some sight - maybe only shadows.  He will see a specialist when he becomes stronger. He has gained 1/2 pound in the two weeks he has been with us and may be ready for his neutering surgery in about four weeks. Finn's trip in the car was stressful to him and he protested loudly.  On the way home, I held his carrier in my lap (my husband was driving) and he surprised me by rolling over on his back and talking loudly all the way home.

Needless to say, Finn was very happy to be home and had a little play time with his favorite mouse before dozing off.

February 20,2014

Finn after supper - ready for a nap.

Yesterday was a milestone day for Finn!  He was so weak until yesterday that he was unable to stand when he had to poop.  His legs were just not strong enough and he had to lay on his side in his litter box. Yesterday he stood in his box to poop!  This makes it so much easier for him to keep himself clean.  He is making great progress in finding and using his litter box and in finding his food and water dishes.  We are trying very hard to always keep things in the same place.  We have also placed mats with different textures under his dishes and his litter box.  This way he can feel when he is getting close to items.  He is beginning to show some interest in his toys, but his favorite pastime is snuggling with humans and purring loudly.  Giving little kisses to whoever is holding him is also one of his talents.  I will be scheduling a follow-up visit with the vet next week.  He will go to the same vet that the West Hartford Animal Control Officer used.  That practice has many vet specialists and they can give us the best treatment options for him and help us to monitor his progress.  Of course, as soon as he is stronger we will make plans to have him neutered.  After his follow-up visit at the local vet, we will schedule an appointment with the vet eye specialist in MA.  Each and every day Finn is growing stronger.  Finn is not yet ready for adoption, but there are several special needs cats in our shelter who are ready to find their forever homes right now.  Take a look at these special kitties on our website.

February 18, 2014

It is another snowy day in the winter wonderland known as Connecticut.  Of course, Finn is not the least bit concerned about the weather.  He is happily settled down in his bed after enjoying a hearty noon meal.  I thought I would take this opportunity to answer some questions about Finn.

• What is Finn eating? - He is eating Blue Buffalo Wilderness dry food and Blue Buffalo Chicken and Turkey canned food.  In addition to this, he is getting some Honest Kitchen Grace food.  This is a highly nutritious food, but is an acquired taste.  I sprinkle it on his canned food.  He eats four times a day.
• Does he use his litter box? - He tries very hard to find his litter box, but has had some accidents.  We are trying different size boxes and different places for the box.  I put him in his box several times a day.  
• What is his personality? - He is very sweet and affectionate and loves to snuggle.  As soon as he hears a voice he starts purring and is always happy to be brushed or petted.
• Is he playful? - I found him playing with a stuffed mouse one morning.  I believe that he will be more playful as he becomes stronger and more confident.  
• Is he good with other cats? - Finn is in his his own room right now and has had no interaction with our other three cats.  We want him to be comfortable in his surroundings before introducing him to our other cats.  Two of our cats (Fred & Ginger) have limb deformities also.
• Does he get along with small dogs? - I can't answer this because we have no dogs at this time.  He would do best in a quiet home.

  

  Checking out his new digs.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Finn with his favorite mouse!

A long winter's nap.

Finn comes home!

Finn arrived home on Tuesday, February 11.  He had spent several days at a local vet after being found by the Animal Control Officer in West Hartford.  Finn received excellent care while at the vet.
His first task was to take a long nap with my husband while they both recovered from their long day.  He was only interested in eating dry cat food out of my hand the first few days, but soon was able to stand and eat out of his bowl.  He is now able to find his food and water on his own.  Of course, one of his favorite pastimes is napping in one of his beds and snuggling with his mouse.  Finn is learning to use his litter box (after a few mishaps and many adjustments on our part).  He is an extremely affectionate cat who starts to purr as soon as he hears a voice.  Our plan is to continue to feed him a high quality food (supplemented by vitamins) until he is strong enough to be neutered.  He will also be seen by a specialist for evaluation of his eyesight.  We will keep all of you posted.  He is gaining strength every day and we are excited to see what tomorrow will bring!

Eating from his bowl.

Eating from my hand.







Finn's entry on Facebook.

Welcome Finn Fans!  We have decided that the best way to keep you updated about Finn and his progress would be to set up a blog.  We want to tell you Finn's story and of course, the best way to tell a story is to start at the very beginning.....

 02/06/14: West Hartford Animal Control, CT posted on Facebook.

Meet "Finn" our newest edition. He was found on the side of the road by a resident. It was believed that he had been hit by a car. Upon examination by our veterinarian, it was determined that Finn wasn't hit by a car. Finn has a nutritional deficiency that caused his legs to slope and loose his eyesight. The bones in his front legs are filled with hollow pockets from poor nutrition. Finn's problems are because he was neglected. He wasn't given the proper food and nutrients in his life. When he was turned over to us, he was emaciated and was covered in flea dirt. He has only been with us for a few days but has shown much improvement. He knows to use the litter box. When he is unsure or scared he will let you know by voicing his concern. Finn is approximately 2.5 years old. He tested negative for Feline Aids and Leukemia. He is a sweetie that loves to to be petted. Please give us a call if you are interested in adoption. This guy is a real special kitty. 

And we thought so too.....This was one of the first messages that went out to volunteers!

02/11/14

We at POA decided to take Finn and our awesome volunteer Janette was ready to foster him. 

After Finn had his blood work done, Janette picked him up.   He is still very frail and cannot be neutered yet.  His eyes appear to be starting to focus and JoAnn, our meds team leader says that we can take him to the eye specialist in Massachusetts when Finn is stronger. While Finn finds his strength, he will do so in the care of our wonderful volunteer, Janette.

So we find Finn at the end of this first post with his medical needs starting to be met and the certainty of wonderful care and unconditional love immediately established.  Onward and upward is what lies ahead of Finn now.  It will be a long road but we hope that you will follow Finn and us along on this journey of healing, hope and heart.  Until our next post, keep Finn in your thoughts and hearts.