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Discarded cat Lucky gets new lease on life

The Buddy Foundation rescues countless homeless animals that find themselves in perilous situations. As often as it happens, I have to wonder if people understand the consequences of putting an animal out to fend for itself.

There is no water, food or shelter. Most importantly, there is no love, only the solitude to die alone and scared.

That was to be the fate of a starving, brown tabby called Lucky by Buddy. Lucky was found piled in a heap next to a volunteer's garage. He was so starved, as an adult, he barely weighed in as a kitten.

His rib cage protruded from his sides. He was barely conscious when his tiny body was rescued.

Lucky was immediately rushed to emergency care where he was transfused and given fluids, vitamin shots and antibiotics. At his first of many trips to the animal hospital, it was diagnosed that Lucky has an abnormality with his eyes. He suffers from a lower lid entropion, which will need to be surgically corrected when he is less emaciated and strong enough to survive the surgery.

In the meantime, Buddy is making sure that Lucky has all the wet food he can eat to also combat any liver damage he suffered from being so starved.

Consider this a plea for Lucky's medical fund for future eye care. This type of surgical care is considered special ophthalmology, which means he will need a veterinarian that specializes in eye care for animals. Lucky has suffered so much, in rescue he will get only the best.

His eye lids have been temporally stapled to keep his eyes open so that he may see what is going on in his world. He is being showered with love at Buddy. He is everyone's favorite feline, as he looks at us with such gratitude for enough to eat and for the soft bed he can cradle his skeletal body in.

Lucky is a long way from his forever home. He will have to gain his strength living with us, but when he is ready for his forever home, Lucky will have all the surgeries he needs.

In the meantime, you can follow his progress on our web page, thebuddyfoundation.org. His picture was posted this weekend with him sitting in his new fluffy bed.

Lucky's future is positive with your future assistance emotionally and perhaps financially. Lucky sends lots of purrs, meows and thank yous for all your loving thoughts.

Featured feline: Occi is a male tabby approximately 8 years old. He is very sweet and affectionate and loves to be brushed. Occi was previously a Buddy cat and adopted, but was returned years later with another house mate when the owners lost their home. This cat deserves a new forever home.

Thank you: Thanks to everyone who attended the Buddy Foundation blessing of the animals Saturday, May 17. It was a beautiful day and a wonderful turnout.

Rummage sale: Buddy is preparing for its annual rummage sale. We are accepting donations at the site, 81 W. Golf Road, in Arlington Heights, formerly Tuesday Morning. Our drop-off days. as well as sale dates, are listed at www.thebuddyfoundation.org.

• The Buddy Foundation is a nonprofit (501c3), all-volunteer, no-kill animal shelter dedicated to the welfare of stray, abused and abandoned cats and dogs. For more information, call (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.

Occi Courtesy of The Buddy Foundation
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