Hayashi: Cat shares story of tragedy, triumph

Animal amputees adjust rather quickly to the partial loss of a limb, especially if they are youngsters. Such is the case with our kitten named Trio.

He runs and plays with other kittens as if he has never had a care in the world. He does not know that he is a little different from the kittens he plays with, and they do not treat him as a special-needs kitten.

Trio had to have part of his right hind, weight-bearing leg amputated. Trio would like to tell you how this happened to him as only he can tell the story.

I remember being tossed from a car on a hot summer day. I landed on Route 53 at Algonquin Road with a thump and a roll. There were so many cars traveling fast. I know I landed in a place that was not safe. Swish, honk-honk and the sounds of big trucks, too, caused me to panic.

If I wasn’t wanted by these people, couldn’t they have left me somewhere safer? Should I run for it, or should I cower and make myself small? Maybe then no one would run me over.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a car started to slow up. The passenger door opened slowly to reveal a pair of hands reaching for me. Would this help or harm? I did not know, but the voice seemed kind and the face friendly. The cars kept honking at this car and the woman could not reach me, so the car passed.

Minutes seemed like hours before the same car and kind voice returned. Again the other angry cars prevented my safe rescue. The woman was hanging out of the car and almost rescued me. Sadly, I sat by the side of the road watching the cars fly by, my eyes half shut. Could I dare hope for a third attempt of rescue?

Maybe I should venture out closer to the road so that I will be easier to catch if the same car comes back. Oh, no, I ventured too far. Another car is coming straight at me. I must run away. I am not fast enough and I am hit. My right hind leg is crushed.

Should I try to pull myself up? The friendly car is back for me! Lady, please help me, I meow. This time she scoops me up and pulls me to the safety of the car.

I don’t know where she will take me, but I trust her because she came back for me. She could not bear to leave me all alone in my dangerous situation.

I would spend that evening in emergency care. The next day I was picked up and taken to The Buddy Foundation. My rescuer explained to me that these people would be kind to me and that they know the specialty doctors that would help me.

These doctors decided that my leg was so badly mangled that I would be better off without it. I was able to do my rehab in a foster home with caring foster moms.

I loved my life at the shelter, playing with the other kittens and challenging myself new ways to get around without my limb. I made sure I was faster than all of the kittens so I could shine and get my forever home.

I am happy to report I landed my forever home, and I have a MainCoon playmate named Pearl. I make sure I run and chase her, and I enjoy being a pesty little brother. I run so fast on my three legs that her only avenue of escape from me is the kitchen counter. If she makes the mistake of jumping on the table I can still catch her. I have learned the trick of pulling myself up with one paw and boosting myself onto the chair, and then the table is mine.

I am careful to use my claws only to maneuver around to boost myself to high places. I never claw on anything. My new mom is understanding and loving. She knows this is the only way I can get around and enjoy my home.

I have plenty of wand toys to play with my new mom. When I want to play alone, I have helped myself to some plastic Easter eggs to roll around on the floor and bat at my sister. Life is grand.

AdoptablesCharmin is a petite, white feline that is spayed and is about 8 months old. She is long and lean, playful, interested in people and mildly vocal. She received her first bath at the shelter because she was a dingy, gray white from roaming the streets.Neeko is a red and white patched tabby that is front-paw declawed. His previous owners had allergies and could not deal with his over-grooming himself. We don#146;t know yet if he gets along with other felines but he would be a great only cat.Rummage SaleWe will have our annual rummage sale in June. Watch for drop-off dates for donations and watch for a possible change in location.Blessing of the AnimalsA Blessing of the Animals will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at the shelter. The Rev. Bob Heinz will officiate at the ceremony. Refreshments will be served. All pets must be properly tethered.Ÿ Contact The Buddy Foundation at (847) 290-5806; visit us at 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights; or online at thebuddyfoundation.org. 29372009Neeko