If this month’s update had a theme, it might be “don’t count your ferals ’til they’re freed.” Or, “sometimes ‘too good to be true’ is too good not to be true.”
Or perhaps, simply, “never underestimate the power of love.”
You’ll recall that, earlier this spring, Tabby’s Place helped to rescue a big grey boy named Baloo. For over a year, the pumpkin-headed tomcat wandered with a ragged string snarled around his neck. His very survival testified that he had the heart of a warrior, the spirit of a survivor…
…and the ferocity of an ultimate fighting champion.
From his earliest, still-badly-injured days at Tabby’s Place, Baloo was beastly. (Note that I don’t use that term in a disparaging way at all. Indeed, I think Baloo would appreciate it.) He battled our every effort to heal his wounds, which meant that he had to be sedated for frequent bandage changes and other ministrations.
As weeks went by, Baloo’s body healed, while his spirit stayed savage. That was, of course, entirely okay. Like most cats in our TNR program, Baloo was what we might unscientifically call a “feral feral” — that is, a free-roaming cat who is truly wild, unsocialized to humans, and best served by finding a home in a safe, outdoor colony.
As each day’s Baloo-bandaging session came up, our brave staff would steel themselves for the battle. The process of sedating Baloo was not for the faint of heart, as his dukes would be up from the moment he laid eyes on us. (See photo below. This is not the face of “nice to see ya!”)
But, once he was sedated, something special happened. This was our team’s rare, precious opportunity to do something we’d longed to do: pet Baloo. While he was asleep, we could coo over him, stroke his stripes and tell him, through word and touch, just how much we loved his wild, wild heart.
Of course, Baloo was asleep through all this.
At least, so it seemed.
But a funny thing happened on the way to recovery.
It would make more sense if it was gradual, a slow awakening to the trustworthiness of love. But Baloo’s breakthrough came all at once. One day, he was attempting to kill us (not an exaggeration — I promise).
The next day, he was rolling on his back and letting us rub his big, bulbous belly.
I am not making this up.
I’m also not yet finished being in awe.
When this first happened, we thought perhaps it was some kind of fluke. Surely Baloo would revert to his wildman ways. Right? Wrong.
It’s been two weeks now, and Baloo only continues to melt into a bigger and bigger ball of moosh. (Scientific term, that.) He’s a lovebug. He’s a mushmouse. He’s our cuddle king.
And still, in that survivor’s soul, he’s the wonderful wild warrior we always knew — only now, he fights for love alone.
Needless to say, the “new” Baloo (pictured above) will not be getting released outdoors after all. His original rescuer has gladly agreed to let us adopt Baloo out to an indoor home, where he’ll be mushed and smushed and loved to his heart’s new content.
The miracle continues to unfold.
Amazing sponsors, such miracles are a testament to your love and generosity. Thank you from my soul for making this possible for Baloo and all the cats we serve!