A Cinder-ella Story

Everybody loves fairy tales. Of course, we know that many stories in real life do not have happy endings, but regardless of how many perils confront our fairy tale heroes, or how many fiery trials they may face in their stones, we know that in the end, they will live "happily ever after".

Cinder's life on the streets was no fairy tale. She was found as an emaciated kitten wandering the streets of McKeesport dragging her limp front leg, as she searched for food and shelter. The woman who found her knew one of our foster parents and asked her for help.

Lynda wasted no time getting Cinder to the vet. He examined her leg and concluded that the injury could only have resulted from blunt force trauma, such as might be sustained from being thrown from a car or against a wall or other hard surface. He didn't offer much hope that Cinder would regain the use of her leg, but felt it would be worth delaying amputation and confining her for six weeks, on the chance that the nerves might heal. In any case, he felt that Cinder was in no shape to undergo surgery until she had time to rest and gain some weight.

During the ensuing weeks, Cinder ate well and gained weight, but could still bear no weight on her leg. We all agreed that it would be better for the leg removed than to have to continue to drag limb as she moved about.

Cinder recovered well from her surgery and before long, was up and about, playing like any other kitten. It was time for her to find a home.

After only a few days at the Northway PetSmart, two ladies met Cinder and fell in love. They hadn't really been planning to adopt, since they already had six feline family members, but they wanted Cinder to have a home where she would be loved and well cared for and knew they could provide it.

Sounds like we are at the "happily ever after" part, right?

Well, not quite. As sometimes happens, Cinder had been exposed to URI while in the adoption center and a few days after going to her new home, she developed a full blown case. Her new parent took her immediately to the vet, but when she didn't improve and was not eating (and with the weekend looming) they took her to a vet with emergency facilities.

Cinder was hospitalized and hydrated for several days, then released. We all agreed that it would be better for her to return to her foster home until she had made a complete recovery, as one of the other feline residents of her new home is on a chemotherapy regime, and could be endangered by exposure to URI.

We are happy to report that Cinder has made a full recovery and is now enjoying her new family. She loves to play with her adoptive feline siblings, and doesn't miss that useless old leg getting in the way.

And yes, now we can say it: "and she lived happily ever after"!

We at FosterCat love fairy tale endings, too. That's why we will continue to work very hard to save lives, one cat at a time, and to find the best homes possible for all of our kitties!