Smokey's Story
My Smokey aka Smokey Pokey. Smokey came to Conrad
Strays in 2002. He was about 4 months old and was covered with fleas
and anemic. Before he came to us, he had been exposed to Panleukopenia. Panleukopenia is a very deadly virus similar to dog
Parvo. After days of being on I.V. fluids and lots of nursing and
prayers, thankfully Smokey survived. I told him if he fights and
makes it, he would be a Conrad.
Sadly his brother Butterscotch didn't make
it. His little body couldn't fight the disease.
Smokey is now the
love of my life. He is very spoiled and Dave says he owns me!
Note: Panleukopenia can be avoided if you keep your cats and kittens
current on their vaccines (Fvrcp vaccine). It's extremely important
to finish the kitten series of the Fvrcp vaccine. The
kitten should be vaccinated with a series of three shots every 4
weeks. It is a disease that no
cat should suffer and die from when there is a vaccine for it! It is
spread through feces and it's a virus that lives in the environment
for years and years. Hundreds to thousands of kittens and cats die
each year in our area. Are your cats vaccinated? By the time the
cats usually show signs of illness, it is usually to late to save
them. It moves through their body that quick.
|
 |
|
This adorable kitten was Butterscotch, Smokey's brother. He
was fine one day, the next day showed signs of illness and was gone the
next day. PLEASE VACCINATE YOUR PETS! There is no
need for them to die of a disease that can be prevented. |
 |
|
This was our makeshift emergency-isolation-hospital area for Smokey
:-) We felt like if we left him at the clinic, he may lose his
will and not fight for us. So we borrowed an I.V. pump and made
up a little area for him. I think God had plans for me to do
the rescue by teaching me nursing skills at Orchard Animal
Clinic. The wonderful staff there has always gone above and
beyond to help all of our foster kitties. Dave took Smokey with
his I.V. fluids to work with him for 3 days so Smokey would be
monitored and keep his will to live. |
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
We awoke one morning to find Smokey playing behind his litter box
that he flipped.
That was our first sign that he was going to make it! |
 |
Smokey playing behind the fort he made. |
|
Smokey wondering how long he has to stay in jail. |
 |
|
During his illness, every time we would open up his
kennel to clean or give him meds, he would hop into our laps and
purr. He never tried to jump down to go explore almost like he
knew he was still contagious. |
 |
|
Smokey after he moved in to our home. Taking a
cat nap. |
 |
|
Playing on his cat tree. |
 |
|
Being bad getting on top of the computer monitor.
He's not guilty or anything! |
 |
|
Smokey Pokey kneading his pink hammock bed :-)
|
 |
|
Smokey at age 6 playing with his feather toy! |
|
 |
 |
|
 He's
cross-eyed sometimes! |
| He makes my heart smile! |
|
