The Eclectic Reader

COMEBACK CAT

COMEBACK CAT

Monty rolled on his back and exposed his shaved tummy to three customers last week. What’s so unusual about that? This was the final milestone in his recovery since his near-death experience this June, that’s what.

As many Eclectic Reader followers know, Monty had a fundraiser for his $900 dental surgery in February. Since that surgery, and for still unknown reasons, he began to decline in health and weight to the point he became a walking skeleton, weighing only 6.2 lbs. of his original 14 lbs. weight. This super gregarious cat lost interest in life. His fluffy orange coat became dull looking. His mane seemed to be shorter. About all that was left was his big puffy tail.

I began keeping him at home more. There were days where I did not expect him to be alive when I returned. When he was at the bookstore he didn’t have any of his former enthusiasm for helping customers, kissing big men with beards, or being with children. Monty stopped being Monty.

All kinds of tests were done, some twice. Nothing definitive emerged. A second vet was called on the case. Monty was put on special diet cat food , steroids, and FortiFlora (which I think helped the most). Slowly he improved. He has regained 2 lbs. His color is returning. He tries to interact with people and is discouraged if they don’t respond.

One thing which did not help at all was that Milo, Monty’s cat buddy at home, died suddenly of a seizure in early April. Thinking that another cat-friend might help, I adopted Nina from the Fort Collins Cat Rescue in late April, choosing a girl kitten and hoping Monty would step into a nurturing role. He was too sick at first to even care, but Nina charmed her way into his affection. She has learned from him how to drink out of the sink and that customers are important. Nina is still a rookie in training.

No cat can ever compare to Monty, the best bookstore cat ever. He is still on reduced week-end hours. A big thanks to all who have been Monty’s friends, going back to 2012 when he arrived during the High Park Fire, and Ray Bradbury died, and we named him Guy Montag from Bradbury’s most famous book.

Monty rolled on his back and exposed his shaved tummy to three customers last week. What’s so unusual about that? This was the final milestone in his recovery since his near-death experience this June, that’s what.

As many Eclectic Reader followers know, Monty had a fundraiser for his $900 dental surgery in February. Since that surgery, and for still unknown reasons, he began to decline in health and weight to the point he became a walking skeleton, weighing only 6.2 lbs. of his original 14 lbs. weight. This super gregarious cat lost interest in life. His fluffy orange coat became dull looking. His mane seemed to be shorter. About all that was left was his big puffy tail.

I began keeping him at home more. There were days where I did not expect him to be alive when I returned. When he was at the bookstore he didn’t have any of his former enthusiasm for helping customers, kissing big men with beards, or being with children. Monty stopped being Monty.

All kinds of tests were done, some twice. Nothing definitive emerged. A second vet was called on the case. Monty was put on special diet cat food , steroids, and FortiFlora (which I think helped the most). Slowly he improved. He has regained 2 lbs. His color is returning. He tries to interact with people and is discouraged if they don’t respond.

One thing which did not help at all was that Milo, Monty’s cat buddy at home, died suddenly of a seizure in early April. Thinking that another cat-friend might help, I adopted Nina from the Fort Collins Cat Rescue in late April, choosing a girl kitten and hoping Monty would step into a nurturing role. He was too sick at first to even care, but Nina charmed her way into his affection. She has learned from him how to drink out of the sink and that customers are important. Nina is still a rookie in training.

No cat can ever compare to Monty, the best bookstore cat ever. He is still on reduced week-end hours. A big thanks to all who have been Monty’s friends, going back to 2012 when he arrived during the High Park Fire, and Ray Bradbury died, and we named him Guy Montag from Bradbury’s most famous book.