Here then is the tale of “Oreo the Magnificent,” as told to us here at Tabby’s Place. Prior to joining us at the sanctuary, Oreo went missing, only to be found having somehow been trapped in the wall of a house for three weeks. Three weeks!? That’s what we said when we heard Oreo’s tale. Most likely, it was a few days. But even a few days without food and water, in addition to the sheer terror of not being able to get free, are enough to traumatize even the heartiest of felines. And so, when he was discovered, Oreo’s first response was to bite his owner. This resulted in his owner taking him to a veterinarian and requesting that this already terrorized creature be euthanized. (Quite frankly, we do believe that many of us would have reacted in much the same way as Oreo had we been through such an ordeal.)

Fortunately, this veterinarian had the insight to realize that Oreo was not a vicious cat, but had acted out of fear. Through a series of events, Oreo came to find sanctuary at Tabby’s Place.

Oreo is, by all accounts, a most stunning cat, about 11 years young, with graphic black patches whimsically placed upon a downy coat of white fur; round, inquiring golden eyes; and whiskers and eyebrows that go on for miles. And while Oreo remains a bit timid (especially around dominant cats), he has made great progress at Tabby’s Place. Now he just adores being brushed and petted.

Oreo is quite overweight, and so he lives in our Weight Management Suite (also known as the Fat Cat Room), where he and his roommates enjoy scheduled feedings of a high-fiber, lower-calorie food. Oreo also has mild heart disease, which requires monitoring by ultrasound every six months. Fortunately, Oreo’s heart disease has not progressed in the time he’s been with us, and he doesn’t require any medication at this time. But, as heart disease can progress and change at any time, it’s crucial to keep tabs on Oreo’s heart on a consistent basis.

Today, gentle Oreo is learning to love and trust again. In our Weight Management Suite, he can be found sitting regally upon soft blankets, gazing wistfully through the window that looks into the lobby, and waiting.

Waiting for what? Why, for you, of course — his dear sponsors. As Oreo’s loving friend, you will help us to provide him with the special diet, extra monitoring and expensive biannual cardiac ultrasounds he needs to stay a happy, healthy boy. Thank you for welcoming our big, loving boy into your life as his sponsor.