Maria

When a compassionate person called us concerned about a kitten in their driveway who seemed to be in distress we were not surprised. After all, it was spring and kitten season was upon us. We figured this youngster had lost or been separated from her mother or been dumped by a cold-hearted human. The person who called us said the kitten had something wrong with her eyes and was meowing for attention and help. When we met the 'kitten' we were surprised to see a very obviously senior citizen cat . She was tiny enough to be a kitten, barely 4 lbs. She was emaciated, cold (temp 98), with a sparse, dry hair coat . Her eyes were painful to look at. They were coated with a gray cement like substance and even using a soft, moist cloth on them was more than she could tolerate. The vet felt that the condition of her eyes was the result of repeated, untreated eye infections to the point where her eyes had actually erupted. The only strong, healthy things about Maria were her voice and her spirit. She called out in a determined meow to let us know she was there and needed help. Maria needed a lot of time, special care and TLC. She was put on a strong course of antibiotics, eye meds and food supplements. In several months she has gained a few pounds, her coat is much improved and she has been spayed and vaccinated. We thought at first that she was totally blind but now that her eyes have been salved and she is more comfortable, we think she does have some small degree of sight, perhaps enough to detect light and dark. What Maria has in abundance is character. She is affectionate and brave. She is managing in a foster situation with other cats but sometimes they startle her. After all she's suffered Maria has started to blossom. She would really bloom in her own. loving home with a person of her very own to love and be loved by. Please give this dear, little old lady the final home she deserves. Maria isn't special needs; she's just very special.