Misty
Misty and Cocoa are both declawed. They were declawed before I rescued them and both have decided to tell the story of how being a declawed cat led to being on death row at the local shelter.
MISTY'S STORY
Hi everybody! My name is Misty and I'm 10 years old now. I was declawed a few years ago because my people were told a declawed cat is a better pet. They were lied to. After I was declawed I got mean and hissed at everybody. I did this because I was afraid. You see, my claws were a part of who I am and they were stolen from me. So I learned to hiss and bite.
I guess I hissed at the wrong person because I ended up in a cold and funny smelling cage at the shelter. What did I do wrong?
I was adopted out really fast because I'm beautiful and also because I'm declawed. People are crazy in my country. A declawed cat is desirable. I showed that family desirable! I hissed and spit at them so much they took me back to the shelter.
I made a big mistake because the shelter put me on death row and said they weren't going to put me back up for adoption. I was going to die.
Then Mama saw me and she wrote to the shelter and told them if nobody wanted me she would take me home with her.
I have a good home now. I don't play because it's no fun to play when you can't grab things with your claws. I don't jump around much because without my claws I'm afraid of falling. I don't play with any of the other cats because if they slap me I can't defend myself. I'm okay with my cat family because they all leave me alone. I'm usually so quiet and withdrawn they forget I'm even there.
I do jump in Mama's lap a lot. And in Sissy Laura's lap too. They love me. I lost a lot of weight because I'm depressed. They feed me Nutra-Stat as a treat. I sometimes think of what it would be like to have claws again and be a normal cat. It's too late for me, but I want to warn everybody out there about how bad declawing is.
I have one cat friend. His name is Cocoa and he's declawed too. I'll let him tell his story now.
COCOA'S STORY
Hello dear friends. My name is Cocoa and I'm declawed. I have the horrible misfortune of being declawed on all four paws. I know it's unbelievable, but I promise you I tell the truth in the matter. What's worse is I was declawed because I have tooth and stomach problems.
When I began having problems with my gums, the vet suggested to my people that I would be easier to work with without claws. I had to take a lot of medicine for my mouth problems, and resisted being medicated as many cats do. I thought my vet was my friend. Until he told my family it would be easier on everyone if I couldn't fight being medicated.
He was correct. I was much easier to handle after I had all four paws mutilated. Oh the PAIN!!!
Over time my gum problems grew worse and my teeth had to be removed. I heard the vet say stomachitis. So I was robbed of my teeth. I have one tooth in the bottom of my mouth.
I soon fell into a deep depression and refused to eat. So my family took me to the shelter. I'm not a senior cat. I AM an older cat with no teeth and no claws. Not exactly what most people desire in a cat.
So I sat on death row for a few weeks. People would walk by and check out my beautiful blue eyes. Yet no one wanted a cat with no teeth.
Mother was asked to rescue me. I'm very fortunate in that I have a wonderful home. I eat dry cat food. Don't ask why I prefer it, I just do. I won't even sniff cat food from a can. I'm so glad I was able to convey my desire for kibble to Mother. I believe my taste in cat food came as a surprise to her.
I was ill the first few weeks in my new home and had to see the vet on several occasions. My stomachitis still acts up at times and I throw up my food. Mother understands and doesn't complain when I do.
I'm totally defenseless now. I don't play at all. Unless you count sitting behind Mother and chewing on her hair. She stops me before I actually ingest the hair. Perhaps it's just how I cope with the nervousness brought about by being declawed and defenseless.The only protection I have now is my size. I'm a very large cat and have practiced my fierce look to perfection.
I have two friends at home. One is my declawed friend Misty. We sleep on the same table. I consider us kindred spirits. My other friend is Jasper, who is truly the love of my life. He protects me should the other cats want to tease me for being clawless.
Now that I'm getting older my paws are really starting to hurt. I'm afraid Mother will have more expenses on me for medical treatment for my poor deformed feet. She assures me I won't be going back to the shelter. I'm with her for life.
My plans for the future are to be the best cat I can be. I send out a plea to cat lover's everywhere NOT to declaw your cats.
ELISA, MISTY & COCOA
P.S. Please don't declaw your cats. They lose more than their claws. Misty and Cocoa have each lost a part of what being a cat is all about. I hope you learn from their stories. Being a declawed cat isn't solely about pain. It's about loneliness and isolation, as I hope you've gathered from their stories.
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