July 4th celebrations brought independence to one young kitten who was fighting a very brave battle. The little boy was brought into a local Gulf Coast vets office the previous day. He had been found crying in a storm drain near Tampa, Florida.
Photo Courtesy of Andrea Budkis Christian / St. Francis Society
Here, they discovered he was up against more issues than just finding his way out of a drain.
Unfortunately, it looked like he had been living there for quite some time. His emaciated body was covered in lice, scabies, the VERY contagious ringworm and a few scrapes.
Photo Courtesy of Andrea Budkis Christian / St. Francis Society
He had double ear infections and both ears were impacted with mites. Internally, the little guy was suffering from a Urinary Tract Infection, round worms and tapes worms.
His right eye appeared only white, damaged from perhaps an unknown infection or virus taking it’s course. Three different veterinarians said his eye would need to be removed once he was healthier and his skin issues were healed.
Photo Courtesy of Andrea Budkis Christian / St. Francis Society
NONE of this stopped experienced foster mom Andrea Budkis Christian from welcoming him into her home.She says that from the moment she opened his carrier, he began purring and making biscuits.
She named the 2-month-old Hodor.
Photo Courtesy of Andrea Budkis Christian / St. Francis Society
He was given a long, warm bath to rid himself of some the lice, scabies, mud, tar and everything else stuck to his fragile body.
The next weeks for Hodor were full of continuous medical attention and treatments. He had wormer medication, lime dips for the ringworm, endless hours of combing out lice, antibiotics, eye drops for weeks, and revolution every two weeks.
Photo Courtesy of Andrea Budkis Christian / St. Francis Society
Feeling more comfortable in his skin and surroundings, he cried for humans to hold him.
Now she had to face the devastating fact that his eye needed to be addressed. However, Andrea saw movement behind the inner inner eyelid which was confusing.
On August 15th, Hodor went in for his eye enucleation, or organ removal, surgery. He would also be neutered at the same time to minimize the number of times he’d be under anesthesia.
What they learned was shocking!
Photo Courtesy of Andrea Budkis Christian / St. Francis Society
His eye was intact and they were able to save it!
Hodor’s third eyelid was fused closed but thankfully the vet was able to correct this.
He would spend the next 2 weeks in a “stylish cone of honor” and require eye drops. Obviously a much better option than losing an eye!
Photo Courtesy of Andrea Budkis Christian / St. Francis Society
His eye will always be a bit “weepy”. But Hodor was able to now gaze at his rescuer with both his beautiful green eyes.
So Hodor happily continued healing under Andrea’s watchful eye.
He played just like other kittens and even managed to use his cone as a scoop of sorts. Albeit, not very cleanly.
Photo Courtesy of Andrea Budkis Christian / St. Francis Society
Hodor still loved to be held close and snuggle. And Andrea loved watching him run around the house, happily chirping while he played.
The silly boy even fell for his own “circle cat trap”!
Photo Courtesy of Andrea Budkis Christian / St. Francis Society
She knew he would need a playful and loving furever family to truly be complete.
The time soon came for Hodor to be put up for adoption.
Photo Courtesy of Andrea Budkis Christian / St. Francis Society
In October, after battling to survive for 4 months, Hodor absolutely found that purrfect family.
He was adopted by a woman who was having her very last radiation treatment for her breast cancer.
Hodor was her recovery gift to herself and her daughter.
Photo Courtesy of Andrea Budkis Christian / St. Francis Society
Who better than a family who also bravely conquered an illness to understand just what Hodor had gone through to survive?
We just love the smiles on their faces and Hodor’s dreamy look, no doubt imagining all the adventures their future holds.
REMEMBER: ADOPT, DON’T SHOP, FOSTERING SAVES LIVES & SPAY AND NEUTER!
Related Story: One Cat, Four Bad Knees And A Foster Team Stopping At Nothing To Help Him Survive!
Related Story: Cat Thrown From Moving Car Proves Nothing Will Stop Him From Surviving!
Photo Courtesy of Andrea Budkis Christian / St. Francis Society
God Bless you all for caring for this adorable baby, he is beautiful and deserves a good life. Thank you for caring, and his new family Bless you!
Such a beauty with/without damages..and you are a beautiful soul for giving love and care..god bless
These stories always make me cry, I’m such a baby, lol
Beautiful Boy thankfully was saved and nursed back to health by caring lovely people. Wishing him and his adopted family much happiness! Bless all of you.