Imagine living in a world where home is wherever you can find shelter under a porch, in an abandoned house or garage. Imagine being so matted and full of burdocks and just plain filthy and so hungry you cry most of the time. Imagine that your cries fall on deaf ears.
Well for one local teen she could not bear the sounds of a cat crying one more night. She called the Ark and borrowed a live trap. Next she went to the house where the cries were coming from and asked to set the trap. That morning the trap was set and shortly after a big black and white cat went into the trap and was captured. The cat was then taken to The Ark and given the name Baxter.
Baxter is a long haired black and white un-neutered male. Judging from his appearance he had been homeless for a while he was matted and very dirty and judging from his appearance he had been in a few fights and he had the battle scars to prove it. Arrangements were quickly made to get him to the vet and get him neutered and checked over. At the vet the mats were removed and he was cleaned up. He was also vaccinated and tested for feline AIDS and leukemia. Unfortunately Baxter tested positive for AIDS.
Once Baxter arrived back at The Ark it was clear that he had some trust issues. Baxter is not a mean cat he is just terrified. He is so terrified that he trembles with fear anytime someone comes near him. He had to have been someone’s cat at one point because he let’s us pat him and hold him and even groom him, but he just trembles. I cannot even begin to imagine Baxter’s life up until now.
I sit and I hold him and tell him that no one will ever hurt him or abandon him ever again. I look into his eyes and I see no emotion just a blank stare. I hand feed him and he eats. It is clear that he wants the human touch he is just so terrified it breaks my heart.
The first few days he was so scared he didn’t even use the litter box he just went right where he was hiding. We have given Baxter a room of his own in hopes he will come out of his shell. He can see the cats from the other rooms but chooses to hide from them.
Baxter right now is living in the third drawer of a dresser with holes. He is able to go outside to a penned in area but chooses not to. No animal should ever have to go through what Baxter is going through right now. Baxter has become a priority for The Ark. There is a key that will unlock Baxter’s heart so that he will be able to trust again it is just going to take some time. Our goal is to look into Baxter’s eyes and see some type of emotion. We want those trembles to be replaced with purrs. We want his fur to be healthy and shiny again. We want his white paws to be white again instead of brown. We want Baxter to be the cat that he was born to be happy, healthy and loved.
Right now his spirit is broken but he is in a good place thanks to his guardian angel. The one who heard his cries and decided that his life mattered and that she was going to help him. Perhaps we can all take something away from this story, there are thousands of animals out there just like Baxter all it takes is one person are you that person? Are you ready to make a difference in the life of an animal? We need more happy endings. We will keep you updated on Baxter’s progress but for now keep him in your thoughts and prayers
Thank you to Baxter’s guardian angel you have inspired us all to do more and to be a part of the solution not the problem. Baxter is getting the help that he needs because of you.
Thank you for your continued support and as always that you for reading our column.
