Over the Rainbow

One Eyed Willie

When I first saw One Eyed Willie in the park several years ago, he was the epitome of large headed feral male cat -" a lean mean eating machine" with a permanent curl at the end of his tail. He looked thru his one amber/green eye at you with intelligence & knowningness.

He made a complete recovery a few months ago when he had his eye surgery/neuter at HAH. And returned to the park with full feral status. Willie was freed to go back to his realm on Cody St like a tiger back to the wild barrier island park. See photo on CatPals welcome page to facebook album to see Willie's post op eye surgery photo - blending into the color of the sea grapes on Cody St.

Willie recently had incision & drainage of an abscess of the left side of his head. He was on oral antibiotics & subcutaneous Lactated Ringer fluid for hydration - eating wet food with his normal vigor, but still losing weight. This required indoor, air-conditioned care with an ocean view & shelter from the outside world that Willie knew so well.

I have appreciated the opportunity to care for him & see him closer up( the docile side of him) compared to fleeting glimpses of him in the park - occasionally catching him on camera.

On Sep 24th,Willie passed in his sleep & escaped an old cat body that was no longer working for him. He chose his time to leave. Like some old cats who disappear - never to be found. Free Willie spirit is free again to wonder there he will.

Thank you Willie for letting us experience your independent will...

Gray Baby (Boots)

Gray Baby represented a bridge between the feral's and the caretakers.

When I first started feeding on Forrest which is known for being the biggest feeding area, none of the kitties really wanted to be petted. He was a gentle and trusting soul open to the possibility of close contact. As he allowed us to come close to him I noticed that the other cats eventually opened up also and perhaps realized we were only there to help care for them. Once he was injured and needed to be Vetted. I had him in my front bathroom to recuperate for about 6 days. He was a gentleman as always and tolerated being inside. Wanted nothing to do with the litter box - I went through dozens of towels that week. When I brought him back to Forrest Street he seemed to be content and happy to return. None of us really know where Gray Baby is and it is possible that he allowed someone to take him home as he became more frail and less able to cope with the summer heat. I choose to believe that if he needed to be taken to the Vet he would have been more demonstrative as he had done in the past. Gray Baby you truly defined love and tenderness and were loved by so many including little children that you allowed to come close.

Tripod

Tripod touched the hearts of those who saw him for what he was. He was a survivor and demonstrated determination and will power against all odds. He spoke volumes without words. Very shy, didn't really want to draw attention to himself but his presence was known and felt by all who came close. In the final weeks he withdraw himself a little deeper into the wooded area by choice I would venture to guess. This was his home and perhaps where he was most comfortable on this earth. Became his final resting place.