The Story of Princess Piglet

Although not the most flattering picture of Princess P, it does show her bad wing (tucked back on her left).



Several years ago, my friend Terry and I were at Pet Smart trying to find an automatic feeder for her cat, Jungle. At the time I had no intention of getting a cat. I had tried it several years earlier, found myself severely allergic to her fine fur, and had to find her a new home. (You will find Gretel Asparagus with my sister, MB.) That day at the Pet Smart, a shelter called the Cat Angel Network was having an open adoption day. I paid little attention as we walked by but a certain cat sleeping in her litter box caught my eye. I read her story and cried.



The rescue had been called about a kitten, no more than 2 months old, who was hopping around an apartment complex in Philadelphia. When they found her, her mouth was frozen shut, her arm was broken and frozen in a manner she would never be able to use, and she was severely underweight. The Cat Angel Network took her to their vet and the nightmare began. She had suffered severe nerve damage and could no longer feel or use the lower part of her left front paw, nor could she eat. The first step was feeding her- they had to pry her mouth open and fed her liquids. Then they focused on her arm. At first it seemed that amputation was the only treatment, but a lovely orthopedic vet stepped in and after many rounds of accupuncture, minimal movementto the arm and complete movement of the jaw was restored. She is missing several teeth but eats like a horse. She had to spend almost 8 months in vet hospitals before coming back to the rescue and then it was almost three months before she could be adopted. I found her at the Pet Smart when she was about a year old.



I did not adopt her that day, but for a week was haunted by her story. I went online and applied to adopt with particular interest on "Dawn". Almost immediately, I recieved a phone call from the vp of the rescue, who wanted to make sure I knew what I was getting into. "She is a special needs cat, who requires alot of attention and love". We arranged that I would come meet her and if I liked her, I could take her home. (Like there was any question....) It was love at first site. I brought her into the apartment and showed her the litter box and the food. She showed me the couch and how she really liked my lap. That was three years ago. Every one who meets her initially cries when they see her hop through the house and then they fall under her spell....

She is a gentle creature who, despite her rough first year, has never seen a stranger. What she really likes are the days that I am home and she can be on my lap, at my feet, or simply nearby. My mother swears that she willed me into the petsmart, I think she might be right...