Never Give Up on a Rescue Cat Even When he is Blind, Deaf and Aggressive
Coconut was a blind and deaf semi-feral cat. He looked beautiful but awful. He was messed up. He must have had a terrible time surviving on the streets of Boston. His deafness and blindness (it was assessed that he could see shadows) made him defensive and aggressive.
This is quite understandable but it made his rescue and rehabilitation extremely problematic. It is quite probable that the deafness and blindness originate in his glittering but dirty white coat (the genes that cause white coats cause deafness too). It looks like he could have been born with these disabilities. All the more reason to admire him.
Enter stage left: Joni Nelson, founder of the organization Boston’s Forgotten Felines. She is definitely a fine woman with a tender heart and a bottomless pit of patience and optimism.
With patience and commitment she rescued him. She took him to a veterinarian. Coconut had a urinary tract infection, ear mites, limping, chronic diarrhea, and he was filthy. His attitude was very difficult. Joni said:
He was very difficult to feed. He would never look up but sure would lash out when I opened his cage (she was bitten twice quite badly as I understand it)
To cut a long journey short he was cleaned up and patched up. Joni was advised to have him euthanized. She never gave up on him and she was right.
He has a foster carer to care for him. He came out of his shell and the aggression melted away as he gained trust in humans. Now look at what a cracking good cat he is. So handsome.
Ashley Ward, a second foster mom, said:
Coconut is really a sweetheart. Every time I walk into the room, he hobbles over to me to get pets…As soon I start petting him he is instantly purring. He will curl up right next to your side and snuggle his head under your arm so that you can pet him..
Source: This Deaf And Blind Cat Wouldn’t Let Anyone Approach Him
My beloved Mr Minns (RIP) bit me badly when we first made physical contact. I discovered he was poorly sighted on one side, which made him attack first, think later. It took a while, but eventually he became a sweetie who always warned first and only bit if the warnings were ignored (apart from the firm but bloodless “bites” after a vet trip or after a boyfriend had visited me). We persevered.
I remember Mr Minns. He was a lovely looking, elderly cat. You may remember that I photographed him when I visited you.
https://pictures-of-cats.org/sarah-hartwells-cat-mr-minns.html
He was into slow decline at that point. When he first turned up he was a big, feisty cat who was a bit too ready with teeth and claws. When he left this world he had calmed down into my “very possessive & slightly abusive tabby boyfriend” whose greatest pleasure was to relax completely and sleep on my lap.
God bless Joni and coconut!!
Yes, absolutely. Thanks for commenting Dawn.
God bless Joni Nelson, Forgotten Felines, and Ashley Ward, Coconut’s latest foster. This handsome cat would not have lasted long on the street, were it not from all of them! Thank God for the selfless people like these, who help save the lives of our lost and forlorn homeless cats.
I really admire this woman, Franny. Such a great attitude. The attitude of a tender loving person.
Coconut has to be one strong cat. To survive on the streets of a big city, in a cold climate, while being both blind and deaf is phenomenal. With all the health problems he had also, no wonder he was aggressive. He was in pain, miserable, and fighting to survive. So happy that Joni Nelson rescued him, and never gave up on him. What a precious soul Coconut is.
Wow-his [coconuts] story just shows how far Love can go towards healing. A lovely outcome. Eva
I think Joni is a great person. I’d love to meet her.
I took in a deaf and declawed white cat (Polar Bear) who had a tough time too, even after he was accepted by my other cats. He was easily startled, frightened and very defensive. He got hurt often. I made the effort (for years) to communicate simple intentions, friendship and direction with hand gestures, tapping on the floor, exaggerated facial expressions and of course petting and hugging. It worked and created a strong and deep bond between us. He trusted me and we loved each other deeply. It broke me to have to put him down. I’m still broken from it and miss him daily. That’s the downside to it all.
A beautiful story Albert. And how kind and tender you were towards him. This is the making of a very close bond.
So sorry for your loss…he was absolutely beautiful and thank you for giving him a good life …God bless your heart , I’m quite sure you do miss him!
@albert
My beloved ‘Angus’ was exactly like Coconut but with patience and love even though bites and scratches ensued I never gave up on him and he turned into a loving affectionate cat and ‘Coconut’ deserves the same.
Awwww.
My thoughts too…