Charlie the Lonesome Sweetheart

[Not Afraid]

Charlie the cat appeared one day out of the blue. He must've known that our house was cat-friendly and that he wouldn't be lonesome if he hung out around here. Chris said he looked like a Cougar, so we dubbed him Charlie. I don't know where he came from or why he was here, but he was loving, talkitive and very friendly - and hungry. If I see a starving cat, I will help it out. Charlie ate with gusto and stayed.

Now, I don't like kitties outdoors. There are scary things outside like racoons, possoms, other mean cats and cars, so I asked Charlie if he wanted to be an indoor cat. He looked at me with his big head and seemed to say yes, so I made a vet appointment.

I always wish cats could talk so I could find out where they came from, what they had been through and what their life had been like. Charlie was such a sweet, well-mannered cat that someone must've loved him once. Well, we went to the vet and Charlie didn't like being in the cat "suitcase" so I opened the top a bit to reassure him. Charlie climbed right out and into my lap. He looked at me with his big grey eyes and started purring. Charlie liked the car!

By the time we get to the vet, Charlie has gone up a few notches in my book. He's a very special boy! The vet takes a look at Charlie, tells me his fang is broken but that he's about 4 years old. He suggests that we give him some tests for the major cat diseases - Feline Lukemia and Feline HIV. I wait in the waiting room.

The Vet comes and and says bad news - Charlie has tested positive for Feline HIV. I know nothing about feline HIV but I know the human version isn't good. Basicially, he can't have contact with any other cats. HIV is spread through blood, urine and saliva. Indoors with other cats is not the place to be for Charlie.

We have to get another blood test in a month. There is a 30% chance that he's been exposed but will fight it off. But, there's still a 70% chance that he will have HIV until he dies.

So, we have one month to decide what to do. The best scieniero would be to find a loving home for Charlie where he is kept indoors and is the only cat in the house. There's no telling how long he will live - it could be quite a while. The other scieniero is that we put him to sleep so he doesn't infect other cats in the neighborhood.

I'm so glad we have a least a month to work things out. Meanwhile, Charlie is most comfortable on a fuzzy bed on our front porch. He really is a wonderful cat and it just breaks my heart that we may have to make an awful decision. Time will tell, I'm sure. Meanwhile, Charlie is being well loved by us.

[Ponine]

Oh NA,
I am so sorry. He sounds like the biggest sweetie. I want meet him........ but alas, I too cannot take him home.

it is so very hard when the kitties cant tell us what happened to them, or who they were with. All they can do is show us how to love them,
Give him some ear noogies for me.
And a hug for you.

[Prudence]

Yea verily that sucketh. I really hope that you will find a nice home for him.

[wendybeth]

Poor Charlie!!!! But yay for him that he found you guys and can enjoy a bit of love. GIve him big hugs from me, and keep us posted on what happens with his infection!

I have to go kiss my kitties now.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

I'm so sorry to hear this news and to know that you have to be faced with these decisions. As someone who has been there many times, it is never easy, no matter how long they have been in your life. I do know that Charlie is in very capable and loving hands though.

Let's hope that a home can be found. That does sound like the best alternative. I don't know enough about FIV to know what to expect, but if he needs to be away from the other kitties, there isn't much else you can do.

I wish we had the means to take him right now. All we can offer is to keep you in our thoughts. I hope everything works out. ::hugs::

[Snowflake]

Oh, my heart goes out to you and Charlie! If I could take him, you can bet I would!

Please keep us posted, at least you know he has the best possible place, on your porch and under your loving care.

Donna

[Where's Barbie?]

I liked that movie "Charlie the cougar" I'll have to watch it again.

How sad that a sweet one could be so so sick. I think that he isn't and all will be well. If I belived in reincarnation, I would return as a cat to your house.

[Snowflake]

I'm sorry, I have got to see this lovely boy. Any chance you can post a few pics of this lonesome lover?

Donna

[Cadaverous Pallor]

:( Sorry to hear such bad news. I wish Charlie the best!

[Not Afraid]

I'm sorry, I have got to see this lovely boy. Any chance you can post a few pics of this lonesome lover?

Donna

I will take some pics and post them. He's really a beautiful cat. He looks like a pint-sized cougar with the sweetest personality. And he talks! He tels us stories. It's adorable!

Just now, he was laying on the porch wall like a cougar in a tree.

[Snowflake]

The rescuer in me is dying! I want him, but I am 3000 miles away and he would have to be an outdoor guy and the threats here are worse than Long Beach!

Besides, I do have a racoon under the house and in the grovlet of trees in my back yard lives a fox. Of course, there are numerous birds and wild bunnies for hunting too. My little treasures love to sit in the windows, and my boy hunter just dies, he wants out so bad!

Donna

[€uroMeinke]

Here are a couple pics from this morning:

http://photos.xenarchy.com/albums/userpics/10001/normal_Charlie.jpg
Breakfest

http://photos.xenarchy.com/albums/userpics/10001/normal_Charlie1.jpg
Wagging his tail

[Snowflake]

Oh! I love him! What a face!

I hope that things work out for him, he looks like a total dollface!

Donna

[€uroMeinke]

A few more Charlie Pics:

http://photos.xenarchy.com/albums/userpics/10001/normal_Charlie3.jpg
Lounging

http://photos.xenarchy.com/albums/userpics/10001/normal_Charlie2.jpg
Singing

http://photos.xenarchy.com/albums/userpics/10001/normal_Charlie4.jpg
Showing off his whiskers

http://photos.xenarchy.com/albums/userpics/10001/normal_Charlie5.jpg
A little Tongue

http://photos.xenarchy.com/albums/userpics/10001/normal_Charlie6.jpg
Waiting for Dinner

[Mousey Girl]

Too sweet!!! I wish I could take him (outdoors only, of course), but PoohDog hates cats.




ok, so Pooh hates EVERYONE...

[wendybeth]

I luv him.

What a handsome kitty boy!

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Awwwww, what a pretty kitty.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

I love the "singing" pic. :)

What an adorable kitty. I so wish we could take him.

[libraryvixen]

So Cute!!

[Drince88]

He is very cute!
If I didn't already have a cat (who does NOT like being in a multiple cat household, so I made him that promise when I adopted him), AND if I lived a little closer I'd take him in.... (And he's even just about the right age for me - I don't adopt kittens - give me a 5-10 year old any day of the week!)

[€uroMeinke]

So we brought Charlie in to be retested yesterday, hopefull that the nearly 4 pounds he gained since he showed up on our porch indicated a healthy if not robust cat.

Unfortunately, the results came back positive.

We discussed the options of getting our cats vacinated for FIV as a way we could bring Charlie in, but the vet tells us that even with the vacine, we would have to keep the cats seperated, they couldn't share food, water, or grrom each other as the disease is transmitted through their saliva.

The right thing to do, would be to put Charlie down, as his living outside is just creating a health hazard for the other neighborhood cats, but seeing how healthy and happy Charlie is right now, I'm not sure I can bring myself to do that.

I'm sad, depressed, angry at Charlie's former parents for abandoning him and hoping we can find a solution for him. At the moment we're thinking about making the backyard his home, making the gates and fences higher to discourage both him and the neighborhood cats from scaling it. Still I'm sad that Charlie has to live out his life in quarintine.

It just sucks.

[MickeyLumbo]

oh this is just tragic and must be heart-wrenching for you guys. ((((NA & €))))Charlie is such a handsome kitty and i am sure appreciates the love and care you are giving him.after losing two kitties to cayotes, Boomer stays indoors. he prefers it anyway cuz he can follow the dog around and play with her.my Kaila and Boomer are both napping near me as i post and i will give them extra attention today.

[Gemini Cricket]

I hate to say this, but I think putting Charlie down is the right thing to do. I think that was one of the hardest things I have ever had to post, but I do think that. Now I know, I'm not the biggest cat lover (I'm allergic) but I was thinking that if this were Frodo and there was a huge danger of him passing it on to equally loved doggies, I would reluctantly do it. I would be crushed for a long time, but I'd do it. I would hate to endanger other animals and leave that terrible choice up to those families.
Of course, if there is another way to deal with this situation then I say go for it. But I can't think of one...
My heart goes out to you both. And to Charlie, of course.
:)

[Snowflake]

Oh man, I was so hoping this was not going to be the end of the story for Charlie. I can't offer any advice to you both, but whatever you decide, you have my support. I'm here, looking at my two sweet kitties and so thankful they are healthy and happy.

I know you will do what is best for you and Charlie, who looks to be a real affectionate fella. If, ultimately, the decision is to be the sad ending for him, you can take heart in knowing that you have provided him with love and care and made his time with you to be likely the happiest he has known. Whomever his former owners are, shame on them and may the karma they deserve come back to strike them.

I'm so sad now, going to go and snuggle with my little ones and think of you and sweet Charlie. :(

Donna

[tracilicious]

Arrrrgh! I'm so sorry you guys are going through this tough kitty time.

Chris, you've mentioned that you feel like Charlie has a message for you. Maybe it isn't so much that he has a message from you, but that he sensed something within you that he needs. It seems that what he needs could be one of two things. Perhaps he sensed that you are selfless enough to allow him to gracefully leave the world even though you love him so much. Or maybe it's that he knew he would find a safe haven with you guys until his time here is through. What a grueling task it must be to try and decipher that message.

If you go the backyard route, can you ensure that he won't come in contact with your other kitties? Do you feel like he would be happy out there? Are you prepared to face the tough end that feline HIV brings? If the answer to those is yes, then maybe that's a good route to go.

Our thoughts are with you guys, and Charlie. Give him a smooch for me.

[wendybeth]

I wonder if there is a rescue facility for kitties like Charlie- one that takes care of kitties with FIV? It's just a rotten choice to have to make. I honestly don't know what I would do in your place. I suppose ultimately I would do as the vet suggested, but I would feel completely ****ty about it. Then I would go and adopt another kitty, in honor of Charlie.

[Snowflake]

I wonder if there is a rescue facility for kitties like Charlie- one that takes care of kitties with FIV? It's just a rotten choice to have to make. I honestly don't know what I would do in your place. I suppose ultimately I would do as the vet suggested, but I would feel completely ****ty about it. Then I would go and adopt another kitty, in honor of Charlie.

I don't know the answer, but I did find a source for cat rescue in California. The listing is a PDF and you can find it here (http://www.rescuers.com/CatRescues.pdf), courtesy of a Dog Rescue site.

I'm clinging to hope, but I do think I can say, based on what you've told us, Charlie is doubly blessed to have both of you caring for him. Clearly his kitty-dar was working 100%.

Donna

[wendybeth]

Hey, I just found this place online: FIV Cats (http://keyword.netscape.com/ns/boomframe.jsp?query=fiv&page=1&offset=0&result_url=redir%3Fsrc%3Dwebsearch%26requestId%3Db 3eb60fa94a091c2%26clickedItemRank%3D11%26userQuery %3Dfiv%26clickedItemURN%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.v 63.net%252Ffivcats%252F%26invocationType%3D-%26fromPage%3DnsBrowserRoll%26amp%3BampTest%3D1&remove_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.v63.net%2Ffivcats%2F).

Check it out- some very good and positive info here.

[tracilicious]

That's a great site Wendy! Very, very encouraging.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

:( So sorry, guys.

[Not Afraid]

Well, Charlie got a "dog house" today and his food and bed have been moved into the back yard. I think we're going to be spending time back there to get him used to things expecially since it's going to take a while until we get the higher gates up.

The more time passes and the more options I see, the less likely I am to go for the euthinasia option, although he needs to cooperate. He's been outside for quite a while now - even longer then he moved in with us, so it's not like he hasn't had contact with other cats at all. He's also not a fighter at all so I am pretty sure no blood was exchanged at this point. So, we're going to do our best to create an oasis for him in the backyard.

He's already pooed in the newly planted irises so he's making himself at home. Damn, he's adorable.

[wendybeth]

After reading more on the subject, I have come to the conclusion that Charlie has been trying to tell you all along that he knows he is home. FIV does not have to be a death sentence, any more than a diagnosis of diabetes or other type of chronic illness. It actually sounds more manageable than many other conditions, and he is obviously happy being your garden boy. If weather gets too wild and he has to be brought in for a time, you could just isolate him so there would be no danger of fighting with the other kitties. Knowing what I've learned here, I would not hesitate to keep an otherwise healthy kitty in the same type of set-up that NA describes. Whatever you decide, I know it will be the best decision for the boy, and it will be one made out of love.

[alphabassettgrrl]

Ooooh, I hope the backyard route works! He'd have a safe place to live and be loved. Poor little guy.

[€uroMeinke]

Cross Posted from my Live Journal - the executive summary, Charlie lives and has moved in with us, and we all have breathed a collective sigh of relief:



So last night was awful. We resolved that we wouldn't euthanize Charlie, but would find a way to move him into the back yard. Melia, my nice was visiting for the day, down from the bay area to visit family during the Thanksgiving Holidays. We had breakfast at Hoff's Hut and since the stores we originally had in mind to visit were closed - we decided on Pet Smart to see what we could find for Charlie

At Pet Smart and we bought a medium sized dog house to use as a temporary shelter, since things are rather open in our backyard. We looked at cat trees and other toys that we might eventually outfit the garage - our long-term solution to housing Charlie, along with higher fences and a magnetic controlled cat door.

We returned to set-up a temporary place for Charlie, food and water bowls, moved his bed to a chair by the bedroom door. We took him back, sat with him and realized it was getting much colder outside. So while we watched a DVD, we closed the bedroom door into the house and opened up the French doors to the back yard, so he could come in, apart from the other cats and get out of the cold for at least a little bit.

Of course Charlie snuggled into our bed quickly and seemed content to stay there. We were watching Wim Wenders Until the End of the World, the directors cut - which is a 3 DVD movie spanning something like 5 and a half hours. I was fortunate enough to attend a screening at the Harmony Gold Theater many years ago with an apologetic Wim Wenders providing coffee and pastry to the audience who endured the trilogy. It was great to see it again, and we took frequent break to check in on Charlie who was more than happy to keep the bed warm while we watched a marathon of cinema.

Of course, it eventually came time to call it a night, and it wouldn't be fair to lock or cats out of the bedroom for the night - not that they would ever stop knocking had we tried going that route, so we put Charlie into the back yard, fresh food and water, and attempted to go to sleep. Though of course we couldn't. Lisa was up every two minutes, "Is he still back there?" "has he gone into the doghouse yet?" "Is he in his bed?" I think even Charlie was getting a bit neurotic as we kept turning on the backyard lights to check on his progress and to make sure he was okay. Eventually he climbed into a chair, a little bit out of our line of site, and slept there for the evening. Likewise we had our own restless sleep.

By the time I got up, I realized the backyard thing wasn't going to work. We'd drive ourselves crazy each night trying to figure out what was happening next. Add to that Charlie's casual leap over the back gate after his breakfast where he went round the house and planted himself once again on our front porch. If we were going to keep him, he would have to join the rest of the cats indoors. I set out to research FIV vaccine, the vet had already told me it wasn't 100% effective, but are any vaccines? If we could at least protect our cats, Charlie should be able to join him.

With my research came a new anger. FIV affects 1 - 1.5% of the cat population, generally spread among outdoor cats who get into fights. It's transmitted through deep cat bites. Having spent a month with Charlie, we knew he didn't fit that profile at all. Next up was the real problem with the vaccine - once a cat has it they test positive for FIV on all know tests. So, it may well be that Charlie - well mannered, neutered, had been vaccinated for FIV and that's why he's positive. As healthy as he is at the moment there's nothing to indicate that he really has FIV - Okay perhaps that's me being overly optimistic.

But as my research continued we stumble across this create website from a cat hospital in West LA which had tips for raising an FIV positive cat (http://www.marvistavet.com/html/owning_an_fiv__cat.html). In their site were the words:


Isolation of an FIV+ cat is not necessary in a stable household

unless the FIV+ cat is likely to fight with the other residents.


Huh? A completely different story than what we got from our vet. So Lisa gave them a call and talked to a vet that had an FIV cat in a household of 12 cat, with no transfer of infection - the cats didn't fight. Hell, we've already introduced Charlie to our cats and with much sniffing and an occasional hiss, they're been rather cool with each other. Add to that some other anecdotal stories of FIV cats living to their late teens, by just keeping them indoors and in a healthy environment.

So this morning we brought Charlie into the house. And after showing him the cat box when he wanted to go back outside, he's been happily inside all day. Perhaps we are putting our cats at risk, but seeing them together today, there is none of the behavior that would lead to trouble. The vet we talked to liked the misinformation about this disease as similar to the early days of HIV. It's easy to be overly cautious when you are talking cats and dogs. But there was no way we'd make Charlie pay with his life to protect the ignorance or irresponsibility of others.

Charlie's a wise one to have picked us out in the neighborhood. His purrs sitting by my desk are all the reward I need from him.

[Not Afraid]

Charlie is home. He is currently streched out on the table between our desks sleeping contentedly and, every so often, he purrs in his sleep.

I think he's happy. I know I am.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

:D You guys rock.

[tracilicious]

I'm so stinking happy!!! Shame on your vet for not knowing more about it. Yay for you and Charlie!

[wendybeth]

I'm so stinking happy!!! Shame on your vet for not knowing more about it. Yay for you and Charlie!

What she said! From now on, this is the official "Charlie the not-so- Lonesome Sweetheart" thread! We need updates, pics, the works. :D

He really is a sweetheart, isn't he?

[Not Afraid]

Well, you can expect photos of course. Chris just took a couple of him showing off his belly. He's got 2 rows of spots - or buttons - going down his chest. I think he's wearing a Pea Coat. :)

[Snowflake]

Oh Man! What an utterly F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S thing to wake up to this morning!
It's been said, more eloquently that I could put it already, but you two are wonderful and Charlie is one lucky boy! Give him a nice belly rub from me!

This truly makes my day!

Donna

[Betty]

What a great way to start my day. I've been following lonesome Charlie's story along and felt so bad for him... and was thinking about how cold it was last night when I started reading again this morning.

Hearing that he's found himself a nice warm home with a loving family just makes my day.

Sweet kitty kitty. Meow!

[Not Afraid]

Charlie spend his first night with us and he slept curled up next to Chris. I vaguely remember Chris trying to get out of bed this morning, trying to extract himself out of the head of the bed where a headboard kept getting in the way. ;) Now Chris has his very own Big Orange Boy (no wonder Jack was worried). He's getting along great with all but the grumpy girl. But, she'll get over it. He's so good with her, no confrontation at all, he just runs away.

Oh, and he hasn't looked outside longingly once.

[Prudence]

awww! I just love orange kitties. I'm happy he's warm and comfy.

[tracilicious]

I'm sure there is some sort of cat magazine that would print Charlie's story. It's so heartwarming.

[wendybeth]

I was explaining, as best I could, the situation with Charlie to Tori. She got all teary-eyed when she heard the vet wanted you to put Charlie down, and I hastened to reassure her that you had chosen otherwise. She, too, thinks you guys rock! (She's now telling her Gram about Charlie). Him is very cute- I love the singing picture!

[€uroMeinke]

Just a pic of Charlie's first night as our indoor cat:

http://photos.xenarchy.com/albums/userpics/10001/normal_Charlie%20at%20Home.jpg

I think he likes it.

[Not Afraid]

See those buttons! He's wearing a pea coat!

[wendybeth]

Awwwww! He's so cute!

Now, that's a contented kitty.:)

[Snowflake]

Just a pic of Charlie's first night as our indoor cat:

http://photos.xenarchy.com/albums/userpics/10001/normal_Charlie%20at%20Home.jpg

I think he likes it.

Now that is one happy kittie! He looks so utterly and completely content and safe. What a handsome boy he is!

You two are just great! :snap: :cheers:

Donna

[Prudence]

Awww! Look at that big orange tum-tum! And the flopsy cat paws!

[Capt Jack]

I just wish I could get HALF as comfortable as he looks.

wtg folks. :cheers:

[Brigitte]

We have a new feline family member as well, though we haven't gotten her into a vet yet. She's a little thing, probably under a year. She's a calico with lots of white on her tummy and an off-center spot on her nose that makes her nose look crooked. We had an ad in the paper and asked around, but nobody claimed her. Now that the ad is done we are just calling her ours and searching for a name. So far my son thinks she's his cat and calls her PopTart :)

[Not Afraid]

Awwwww, Pop Tart! We want pictures! Make sure she is spade or you'll have a bunch of REALLY cute kittens running around. Calicos have the CUTEST kittens.

We have our own little kat rescue society here at LoT. It warms my heart. :)

[Snowflake]

Awwwww, Pop Tart! We want pictures! Make sure she is spade or you'll have a bunch of REALLY cute kittens running around. Calicos have the CUTEST kittens.

We have our own little kat rescue society here at LoT. It warms my heart. :)

Pop Tart! That is so freakin adorable! I second NA's request, pictures please!

Donna

;)

[Brigitte]

Ok, here she is as well as one of each of the other 2 residents :)

Here she is on the daycare couch (http://icehouse.net/bjensen71/catpoptart.jpg)

Upstairs on a dining room chair - a favorite spot already (http://icehouse.net/bjensen71/catpoptart2.jpg)

Downstairs in my laundry room (http://icehouse.net/bjensen71/catpoptart3.jpg)

Here is Jade, Queen of the roost (http://icehouse.net/bjensen71/catjade.jpg)

and finally, Momo, my daughter's cat. He's huge, solid cat there... (http://icehouse.net/bjensen71/catmomo.jpg)

[Betty]

Awwww - what sweet kitties. Damn allergic husband and his hatred of the wonderful meow-meows.

[Snowflake]

Oh! She is gorgeous! What a beautiful girl, love her markings! All are cute! Jade, indeed, seems to carry herself like a queen!

Donna

[Disneyphile]

Ok, that new picture of Charlie is downright adorable! I'm tempted to use that as wallpaper at work. :D