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Atlantic Animal Hospital has proudly selected Kitty Stapleton as November's Companion Animal of the Month! Kitty is the companion to David Stapleton. Kitty is no ordinary cat; she is twenty-three years of age, soon to be twenty-four years old in January! Kitty is a black and white, domestic shorthair feline. Although she is probably the oldest companion animal at this hospital, she's able to keep up with the best of them. Kitty has been with David from the very beginning, but if it wasn't for his puppy (at that time), Max, Kitty may not have made it. Kitty's life began with unexpected friendships that turned into long, loving relationships.
It's almost as if David, Max, and Kitty were meant to be a
family. Max, at the time, was just a puppy and had only lived with David for a
few days. One day while playing together outside, David noticed Max making quite
a playful commotion. As he was investigating, David heard a strange
squeaking noise coming from the bushes where Max had.JPG)
been staring intensely. What David found was a small kitten probably around six
to eight weeks of age. There she was, with a makeshift studded leather collar,
snapped so tightly around her neck that when she tried to cry out she could only manage
a few squeaks. David immediately removed the collar from her neck and she
instantly became very vocal and affectionate, not only to David, but Max as
well. She knew David and Max had saved her and that it was there, in their
family, that she was meant to be. David however, made sure that Kitty wasn't a
missing family pet before he claimed her as his own. He went around the
neighborhood asking if anyone had lost a kitten but no one claimed her. When he
came home (after placing her on the porch while he was gone) he found that Kitty
had climbed through a window into the house, and there she was, curled up next to
Max on his bed, sound asleep!! It was obvious that this is where she
was supposed to be. It was then that he named her...Kitty. From then on David
watched Kitty and Max, who grew to be an 80lb dog, become the best of friends
for the next sixteen years. After Max passed away Kitty seemed to take it pretty
hard. She missed him like crazy. She would go from room to room and around the
yard crying and looking for him. To this day David will catch her looking in
empty rooms and he wonders if she still is searching for Max. It's amazing the
bond that animals have with each other regardless of species.
Kitty has been through a lot in the last 24 years, from having a fish hook stuck
in her mouth and paw, to being lost .JPG)
for three days after a 200 mile move. She has
definitely proven herself to be a tough and loyal companion animal. Kitty is happy and
content as long as she is with David. She has gladly moved and adapted with him
no less than seven times. To Kitty, home is where David is! Even in her old age
Kitty is still quite active. She loves to patrol the back yard (under
supervision of course)
protecting her domain. Letting the lizards, squirrels and birds know that she is
still in charge. This cat is one vocal feline. There's no sleeping-in planned
for this dad. Kitty will meow until she is fed, played with, and let out for a
stroll in the yard. It's a good thing she found someone like David for a
companion. He has and will continue to do anything for her. Kitty is quite
intrigued by
David's boat, supervising him as
he cleans it or works on it. No doubt waiting for him to produce a cooler full
of fresh fish. She always gets excited when he comes home from fishing. She
LOVES fresh fish! From rolling around on her catnip to playing in the rain,
Kitty still has a young playful spirit. She'll come running to anyone who calls
her. If it's loving attention being handed out, she's the first in line!
Being her age some health issues are inevitable. Kitty suffers from severe
dental disease and kidney failure. Dr. Sukhija discovered the kidney disease by
performing a senior blood work screen. The results from follow-up examinations and
kidney blood work profiles help us monitor Kitty's condition and prescribe the
appropriate treatments to keep Kitty
comfortable. David is assuring a good quality of life for Kitty by administering
subcutaneous (under the skin)
fluids every other day to keep her hydrated. Like most pets, she doesn't care
for going to see the Doctor but is very tolerant and cooperative when
she does. It's as if she knows we are here to help her. We truly love having
Kitty as a patient and will vouch for the fact that she is an easy-going, loving
companion animal!.jpg)
David is a wonderful parent. He goes above and beyond the call of duty when it comes taking care of Kitty. We appreciate David's compassion for Kitty and for allowing us to be a big part in keeping her happy and healthy. It is absolutely wonderful watching and learning about the special relationships between humans and animals, and the difference it makes when each truly cares for the other and provides unconditional love. We are so privileged to have seen this great relationship between David and Kitty and congratulate Kitty as our "Companion Animal of the Month" for November.