6/25/23 – This past weekend has not been a happy one. Two amazing cats have crossed the rainbow bridge — one sweet baby who I personally had the pleasure of knowing from the beginning and the other, a cat I never met but who was rescued when she found him in need of help.

This is Shaggy. He showed up in the alley outside the rescuer’s place on Thursday and his rescuers said that he truly looked near death. They gave him food and water and he ate and drank; the next morning he was in the same spot. His fur was very matted – inches thick in some areas – and hard as rocks.The finder said that she couldn’t feel his body at all because it was so bad. He allowed her to pick him up and bring him inside. He walked a little but was very unsteady. But with all of that, he did seem to be a fighter and he perked up significantly once he ate and drank and had some attention. But, he still needed to be seen asap and we were contacted.

Shaggy was taken in on the next day and the clinic asked that he be kept over night On the next day (Friday), the clinic called to inform me that Shaggy had been put under for the shaving and he was found covered with maggots which actually burrowed into his body. The maggots were removed and medication was given to this poor cat and the doctor asked that he be kept through the weekend — they had hoped to ‘fatten’ him up before being sent home. Later, I was called and informed that Shaggy did not make it through the night.

Even though I rarely meet the animals we help, a piece of your heart always breaks away thinking about the suffering they went through. Thank God for his rescuer, Melanie, who tried to save this innocent animal. I know that she is heartbroken but we are all thankful that Shaggy did not die on the street left to suffer and continue as prey. RIP Shaggy. You were loved. – diana

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