?Hi! I’m Malcolm – and I’m a beautiful kittycat with gorgeous orange fur. I know, I saw myself in a mirror once. I kind of look like a baby lion – including the exquisite golden eyes and all. Betcha I would be the pride of the pride!
Anyways, I wasn’t always this way – beautiful I mean. When I was only 6 weeks old, a kind lady found me along the side of a busy road- caked in mud and dirt, with tons of fleas and ear mites, and very very hungry (that must be where I get my great appetite from!). She dropped me off at the local vet and paid to have me spruced up and even given a flea bath. (Nasty little critters, fleas. Ear mites aren’t too high on my list either.) But I really was a great looking kitten underneath all that dirt!
Unfortunately, she couldn’t keep me herself so she found me a foster home. Just in case your wondering, this is where a foster mom or dad gives you two squares a day, lots of TLC, your vaccinations (boy! Do I hate needles!), nurses you when you’re under the weather, keeps you free from bugs, gives you a soft bed to sleep in, and all sorts of amenities for your personal comfort until such time as a permanent home can be found for you. In my case, I figured that would be a cinch. There just aren’t many kitty cats out there as gorgeous and personable as I am. Not to mention knowledgeable. I wonder just how high my IQ really is? Probably close to off the scale on the high end. Anyway, getting back to the subject at hand, that’s where I reside now. In a foster home, that is. (My only fault is that I have a tendency to go off on tangents, especially ones relating to my looks or intelligence).
Of course, I don’t remember any of this myself. My “mom” told me all of this when I was somewhat older. That’s just about the time she also told me that I failed my feline leukemia test. Me! Mr. Perfect in every way, failed a test! Not once, but twice no less. What a bummer! I still can hardly believe it! I feel just great. No clue at all as to having this leukemia stuff. I can play for hours and hours without even getting tired! “Mom” does, but I don’t. Right after I failed my test for the second time, my “mom” said that she was given the option of having me euthanized (that’s a fancy word for being put to sleep). But she said that would be such a waste of a life (mine!) and brought me back home instead.
First off my “home” was a pen in the family room, but as I started getting bigger (and more beautiful), it became somewhat cramped, not to mention boring. I kept on trashing the pen right after she fixed it up to get across the idea I wasn’t too keen on the place anymore. It didn’t take too long – she catches on pretty fast.
My plan was a huge success. Better than I expected actually. NOW I live in a heated condo (really a neat insulated Amish garden shed) with Brucie (he’s a black and white long hair puss who purrs a lot, which is just fine by me. Who wants to live with a grump anyways), Kellianne (she’s just a sweet baby), and Cinnamon (an exquisite seal-point Himalayan chick. Oh! I think I’m in love)! We have windows to look out of (my “mom” hangs suet cakes in the tree nearby so we can watch the birds), our own beds (we all try to get the wicker basket one), carpeted shelves, a hammock concoction to lie in, and a cat track among other things. The hammock thing has a neat spring toy although I’m not too sure Brucie would agree. Smacked him right in the kisser with it once – but the ol’ boy's a good sport, didn’t even get mad or noth’n. Just stays far out of my way when I’m playing. And when the weather is warm, we get to go out in the play yard. There’s even a tree branch out there to climb on and some weird bush to hide under. Even so, it doesn’t compare to a REAL home. One of my very own. Not that here is such a bad deal – kinda neat really – but we do get shortchanged on our hugs and kisses and lap time. And boy! Do I LOVE lap time! But there just isn’t enough time for “mom” to spend with all of us, even though I know she tries real hard.
Sometimes when the weather is nice, I get to go to the park. We take the car (I love car rides!) and I get to see all the flowers – what great colors! Don’t believe that bunk that cats are colorblind – I see colors just fine. Then I get to take a walk on my leash, play in the grass a little or chase some falling leaves. (Getting pretty good at the leaf bit even if I do say so myself). The best part is when people stop and pet me and tell me what a beautiful kitty I am (I already know this but its nice hearing it said out loud anyways). On the way home, we stop and get some “creams” from a restaurant. They’re great! Not too good for the figure but great just the same. And I do so enjoy life’s little perks!
Only one thing has me puzzled. Nobody wants to adopt me. It certainly can’t be my looks or personable demeanor. So it has to be this virus thing. No on wants to take a chance on me. Guess people don’t want to become attached and then have one die on them.. They’re afraid of taking a risk. Especially if they know there is one. But life is full of risks, especially with things worth while having. (Like me!) and LOVE always involves RISK. They go hand in hand. But hey! It’s the quality of life we’re talking about here, not necessarily the quantity. My life will probably be shorter but the love and good times we’ll have together will be more memorable and much more appreciated by both of us. (I told you I was one SMART kittycat). Besides, you won’t find a more handsome guy than me.. nor one with my great personality. After all, my “mom” tells me everyday that I’m the greatest and I believe her.
Wow! Someone just adopted Brucie. The little girl told her mom that she thought he was the handsomest cat there is. (And here all along I thought it was me). What an ego deflater. God bless the little ones, they always tell it like it is. Ah well, at least the younger generation are willing to take a love risk. Brucie really is a great guy (I guess he is kind of handsome at that) and deserves a REAL home. And maybe, just maybe, I can talk my “mom” into a Bon Voyage party??
But I just can’t help wondering and wondering if my turn will ever come. Will I never have a lap to call my very own? It’s so hard waiting and hoping for that special someone to come along and say, “I’ll adopt this one.”
Malcolm is writing his story to bring attention to the many feline leukemia (FeLV) and feline aids positive (FIV) kitties out there who are in desperate need of caring, responsible homes all over our country (he always does things on a grand scale!). For more info on feline leukemia, please see Forgotten Felines Kitty Help under the title Feline Leukemia - Feline Aids Info.
FeLV (feline leukemia) and FIV (feline aids) suppress the immune system of the cat and are transmitted by direct contact between cats. Neither of these feline viruses is transmissible to humans or other species of animals.
FeLV is passed on to other cats through the saliva by licking, long-term grooming, sharing food and water bowls and fighting with each other. Sharing litterboxes may also be a mode of transmission. Close, prolonged, direct contact is usually required for the spread of the virus between cats as the virus is unable to survive in the environment for any length of time. FIV is transmitted mainly by a deep puncture wound by biting. FIV is not easily passed between cats. It cannot be spread casually, such as with litter boxes, water and food bowls, or when snuggling and playing. It is rarely spread from a mother to her kittens. Spayed/neutered FIV+ cats can be with “normal” cats if properly introduced (no fighting) whereas leukemia+ cats need to be kept separated from negative testing cats, with other FeLV+ cats, a dog/s, or as an only cat. Both should be spayed/neutered, kept indoors, free from stress with a good diet. The cat should be kept free from parasites such roundworms, tapeworms, fleas and ear mites and any secondary infection promptly treated.
Cats who test positive for these diseases should always be tested at least twice several months apart as some cats will test negative later on (esp FIV), successfully eliminating the disease from their body (or a false positive was given on the first test). Kittens who test positive may be carrying antibodies from their mother and should be retested at 6 months of age. FIV+ kittens usually turn negative by 6 months. The second test always should be the IFA for leukemia and the Western Blot for feline aids. These tests show that the cat actually has the virus rather than just being exposed to the virus. An infected cat does not have to be euthanized!
One main difference between the two diseases is the prognosis. FeLV+ cats have a much more negative prognosis than FIV+ cats. Most FeLV+ cats have shorter life spans, especially kittens born with the virus, than normal cats although some live symptom free for many years or all their lives. I've had a feline leukemia positive cat live to 20 years. FIV+ cats most often live long, healthy, and relatively normal lives with no symptoms at all although a kitten born with the disease will most likely develop symptoms much sooner. Whereas both FeLV & FIV viruses suppress the immune system, the FIV virus is a slow virus that affects a cat’s immune system over a period of years. As both FeLV+ and FIV+ cats have compromised immune systems, secondary infections such as Upper Respiratory infections require immediate treatment by a veterinarian. End-stage symptoms include: gingivitis, stomatitis, abscesses, skin disorders, fever, respiratory illness, lethargy, and weight loss. At this point, the cat usually does not respond to treatment. A veterinarian should be consulted to diagnose whether the cat is definitely in the End-Stage of the disease with euthanasia then being recommended to prevent ongoing suffering.
I have had several FeLV+ and FIV+ cats over the years and no matter how long or how short their life was, each one brought immeasurable joy to me or to their adopters. So please consider taking a “love risk” and make Malcolm’s Dream come true.
Anyways, I wasn’t always this way – beautiful I mean. When I was only 6 weeks old, a kind lady found me along the side of a busy road- caked in mud and dirt, with tons of fleas and ear mites, and very very hungry (that must be where I get my great appetite from!). She dropped me off at the local vet and paid to have me spruced up and even given a flea bath. (Nasty little critters, fleas. Ear mites aren’t too high on my list either.) But I really was a great looking kitten underneath all that dirt!
Unfortunately, she couldn’t keep me herself so she found me a foster home. Just in case your wondering, this is where a foster mom or dad gives you two squares a day, lots of TLC, your vaccinations (boy! Do I hate needles!), nurses you when you’re under the weather, keeps you free from bugs, gives you a soft bed to sleep in, and all sorts of amenities for your personal comfort until such time as a permanent home can be found for you. In my case, I figured that would be a cinch. There just aren’t many kitty cats out there as gorgeous and personable as I am. Not to mention knowledgeable. I wonder just how high my IQ really is? Probably close to off the scale on the high end. Anyway, getting back to the subject at hand, that’s where I reside now. In a foster home, that is. (My only fault is that I have a tendency to go off on tangents, especially ones relating to my looks or intelligence).
Of course, I don’t remember any of this myself. My “mom” told me all of this when I was somewhat older. That’s just about the time she also told me that I failed my feline leukemia test. Me! Mr. Perfect in every way, failed a test! Not once, but twice no less. What a bummer! I still can hardly believe it! I feel just great. No clue at all as to having this leukemia stuff. I can play for hours and hours without even getting tired! “Mom” does, but I don’t. Right after I failed my test for the second time, my “mom” said that she was given the option of having me euthanized (that’s a fancy word for being put to sleep). But she said that would be such a waste of a life (mine!) and brought me back home instead.
First off my “home” was a pen in the family room, but as I started getting bigger (and more beautiful), it became somewhat cramped, not to mention boring. I kept on trashing the pen right after she fixed it up to get across the idea I wasn’t too keen on the place anymore. It didn’t take too long – she catches on pretty fast.
My plan was a huge success. Better than I expected actually. NOW I live in a heated condo (really a neat insulated Amish garden shed) with Brucie (he’s a black and white long hair puss who purrs a lot, which is just fine by me. Who wants to live with a grump anyways), Kellianne (she’s just a sweet baby), and Cinnamon (an exquisite seal-point Himalayan chick. Oh! I think I’m in love)! We have windows to look out of (my “mom” hangs suet cakes in the tree nearby so we can watch the birds), our own beds (we all try to get the wicker basket one), carpeted shelves, a hammock concoction to lie in, and a cat track among other things. The hammock thing has a neat spring toy although I’m not too sure Brucie would agree. Smacked him right in the kisser with it once – but the ol’ boy's a good sport, didn’t even get mad or noth’n. Just stays far out of my way when I’m playing. And when the weather is warm, we get to go out in the play yard. There’s even a tree branch out there to climb on and some weird bush to hide under. Even so, it doesn’t compare to a REAL home. One of my very own. Not that here is such a bad deal – kinda neat really – but we do get shortchanged on our hugs and kisses and lap time. And boy! Do I LOVE lap time! But there just isn’t enough time for “mom” to spend with all of us, even though I know she tries real hard.
Sometimes when the weather is nice, I get to go to the park. We take the car (I love car rides!) and I get to see all the flowers – what great colors! Don’t believe that bunk that cats are colorblind – I see colors just fine. Then I get to take a walk on my leash, play in the grass a little or chase some falling leaves. (Getting pretty good at the leaf bit even if I do say so myself). The best part is when people stop and pet me and tell me what a beautiful kitty I am (I already know this but its nice hearing it said out loud anyways). On the way home, we stop and get some “creams” from a restaurant. They’re great! Not too good for the figure but great just the same. And I do so enjoy life’s little perks!
Only one thing has me puzzled. Nobody wants to adopt me. It certainly can’t be my looks or personable demeanor. So it has to be this virus thing. No on wants to take a chance on me. Guess people don’t want to become attached and then have one die on them.. They’re afraid of taking a risk. Especially if they know there is one. But life is full of risks, especially with things worth while having. (Like me!) and LOVE always involves RISK. They go hand in hand. But hey! It’s the quality of life we’re talking about here, not necessarily the quantity. My life will probably be shorter but the love and good times we’ll have together will be more memorable and much more appreciated by both of us. (I told you I was one SMART kittycat). Besides, you won’t find a more handsome guy than me.. nor one with my great personality. After all, my “mom” tells me everyday that I’m the greatest and I believe her.
Wow! Someone just adopted Brucie. The little girl told her mom that she thought he was the handsomest cat there is. (And here all along I thought it was me). What an ego deflater. God bless the little ones, they always tell it like it is. Ah well, at least the younger generation are willing to take a love risk. Brucie really is a great guy (I guess he is kind of handsome at that) and deserves a REAL home. And maybe, just maybe, I can talk my “mom” into a Bon Voyage party??
But I just can’t help wondering and wondering if my turn will ever come. Will I never have a lap to call my very own? It’s so hard waiting and hoping for that special someone to come along and say, “I’ll adopt this one.”
Malcolm is writing his story to bring attention to the many feline leukemia (FeLV) and feline aids positive (FIV) kitties out there who are in desperate need of caring, responsible homes all over our country (he always does things on a grand scale!). For more info on feline leukemia, please see Forgotten Felines Kitty Help under the title Feline Leukemia - Feline Aids Info.
FeLV (feline leukemia) and FIV (feline aids) suppress the immune system of the cat and are transmitted by direct contact between cats. Neither of these feline viruses is transmissible to humans or other species of animals.
FeLV is passed on to other cats through the saliva by licking, long-term grooming, sharing food and water bowls and fighting with each other. Sharing litterboxes may also be a mode of transmission. Close, prolonged, direct contact is usually required for the spread of the virus between cats as the virus is unable to survive in the environment for any length of time. FIV is transmitted mainly by a deep puncture wound by biting. FIV is not easily passed between cats. It cannot be spread casually, such as with litter boxes, water and food bowls, or when snuggling and playing. It is rarely spread from a mother to her kittens. Spayed/neutered FIV+ cats can be with “normal” cats if properly introduced (no fighting) whereas leukemia+ cats need to be kept separated from negative testing cats, with other FeLV+ cats, a dog/s, or as an only cat. Both should be spayed/neutered, kept indoors, free from stress with a good diet. The cat should be kept free from parasites such roundworms, tapeworms, fleas and ear mites and any secondary infection promptly treated.
Cats who test positive for these diseases should always be tested at least twice several months apart as some cats will test negative later on (esp FIV), successfully eliminating the disease from their body (or a false positive was given on the first test). Kittens who test positive may be carrying antibodies from their mother and should be retested at 6 months of age. FIV+ kittens usually turn negative by 6 months. The second test always should be the IFA for leukemia and the Western Blot for feline aids. These tests show that the cat actually has the virus rather than just being exposed to the virus. An infected cat does not have to be euthanized!
One main difference between the two diseases is the prognosis. FeLV+ cats have a much more negative prognosis than FIV+ cats. Most FeLV+ cats have shorter life spans, especially kittens born with the virus, than normal cats although some live symptom free for many years or all their lives. I've had a feline leukemia positive cat live to 20 years. FIV+ cats most often live long, healthy, and relatively normal lives with no symptoms at all although a kitten born with the disease will most likely develop symptoms much sooner. Whereas both FeLV & FIV viruses suppress the immune system, the FIV virus is a slow virus that affects a cat’s immune system over a period of years. As both FeLV+ and FIV+ cats have compromised immune systems, secondary infections such as Upper Respiratory infections require immediate treatment by a veterinarian. End-stage symptoms include: gingivitis, stomatitis, abscesses, skin disorders, fever, respiratory illness, lethargy, and weight loss. At this point, the cat usually does not respond to treatment. A veterinarian should be consulted to diagnose whether the cat is definitely in the End-Stage of the disease with euthanasia then being recommended to prevent ongoing suffering.
I have had several FeLV+ and FIV+ cats over the years and no matter how long or how short their life was, each one brought immeasurable joy to me or to their adopters. So please consider taking a “love risk” and make Malcolm’s Dream come true.