A few nights ago, I was sound asleep when a crash woke me. I flipped on the lights, raced out into the hallway to find Baker lying on the floor next to our pantry. On top of the pantry was McGee looking quite proud of himself. I believe that McGee jumped up on the top of the pantry and either startled Baker or pushed him off. (They both are alphas). Baker stood up, seemed to shake himself off a bit and walked a bit unsteadily away to find another spot to sleep.
I watched him and when he started to really limp, I put him upstairs in the bigger cages for awhile, but he was most unhappy, so I just let him roam the room. Nothing high to jump on in the room.
Yesterday, I took him to the vet because he was walking with a arched back and he looked like he was walking on tippy-toes. Films revealed he has a protruding disc from the fall and needs surgery. I am at a loss, I can’t afford the surgery so for right now he is on pain management. I told Mike this morning that I wanted to sell my ivory bracelets but he pitched a fit. These bracelets were made for me by a famous Alaska carver- Lincoln Milligrock (RIP) they were a swap for several walrus knives Mike made for Lincoln. One bracelet is the exact duplicate of Lincoln’s bracelet that is in the Smithsonian. They were all three custom made for me and one of the best gifts I have ever been given.
So Baker is on cage-rest and I am using a towel-sling to help him use the litter pan. I am always amazed at how cats handle pain so well. I am going to try and work with another cage and make him a longer cage to be in as he will be there for quite awhile. Just please say prayers for him- The pantry top is about 9 feet tall and he fell on a tile floor not carpet. Just a tip, should anyone ever need to make a towel sling for their kitty because of injury or illness- take two DEPENDS- cut on in half at the crotch- superglue them together and use this instead. I was trying to figure out how to provide more padding for Bake because the towel kept curling up under him when he tried to struggle. The DEPENDS gives that padding and also when he leaks (because they do after severe injury, the pads pick up the moisture and the kitty doesn’t need a butt bath afterward.
Oh poor Baker! I will keep him-and you too-in my prayers. Thank you for taking such good care of the kitties!
If those bracelets were custom made just for you and you consider them to be one of the best gifts you ever got, hold on to them and don’t let them go. I think you would regret selling them and it wouldn’t do to have your spirit break because you gave them up.
Do you know anyone who owns a restaurant or a store, movie theater, etc… (I wrote car wash, not thinking about the fact that it’s winter. duh!) or anything that would be willing to do a fundraiser for a day and have the proceeds go towards the vet bill? Can you talk to the Managers in the area? What about the place you buy all your cat food and supplies from?
Oh no, I and sending good thoughts and purrs that Baker will make a full recovery. Have you contacted KC to see if an auction fundraiser could be held????
Are you on Facebook – perhaps making a page for Baker and connecting it to a chip-in would help raise the money fast. You really can’t wait on this – at such a young age, he needs surgery before something mends wrong. Perhaps asking your vet to let you make payments a bit at a time so you can be fundraising while Baker is taken care of. My vet did this with me. Or connect your chip-in to the vets’ direct account so it goes right there. There are many ways to do this – be creative. Sending purrs for you and Baker.
Check out IMOM, Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance, and Speaking for Spot. They all offer at least some assistance for kitties (and other critters, for that matter). Speaking for Spot especially has a long list of places, with all kinds of requirements and help. No guarantees, but it couldn’t hurt to check some of them out.
We would also second putting up a ChipIn or CB Auction. That, and a V*T who would work with you a little might be enough to get Baker fixed up.
Purrrrrrring for you, Baker, and the whole family.
PS: Don’t sell your bracelets. There are other ways to get the money, and you would regret the sale eventually. ppuurrrrrrrrr
We’s been emailing about annuffur aukshun. Right now we’s gotted a short aukshun to help wif little Truffles’ LadyGarden-ectomy.
But after that, we can sure hold one to help out baby Baker.
And we’s sending you purrs and hugs and love over yours loss, Mom Mary Anne.
We’re sending purrs and purrayers to sweet little Baker. We can’t donate at this time, but hope you can raise enough. Definitely don’t wait. Maybe the vet can make some accommodation, such as allowing you to pay a certain amount per month.
Paws crossed!
We are sending healing and comforting purrs to poor Baker and will help spread the word that Baker needs help.
I sent a message last night but it didn’t go through. Please check with Red Rover (formerly United animal Nation) at uan.org. They have a Red Rover Relief Fund that gives out grats to rescuers who have emergency vet expenses. You can fill out application online and you will hear back within 1-2 business days. Grants are small ($100-250) but can be larger depending on circumstances. Please check them out. I also sent some greenies through paypal a few minutes ago. Purraying for sweet Baker…
Oh goodness! We just donated some dollars. We hope that Baker gets fixed real quick so that he is good as new!
Luf, Us
We are so sorry to hear about Baker. It sounds like you’ve received some good advice of sources to help out. If we make enough green papers from Truffle’s auction to cover her surgery, we’ll gladly donate some to help out Baker.
Truffle and Brulee
Poor Baker! If you set up an auction with KC, let us know. We’re sending purrs.
We didn’t see any place to donate specifically to Baker. Just the shelters in general. Did we miss the place?
If you look on this blog you will see a donation button. Anything that is contributed on that account will go towards Baker’s care. His limp is more pronounced now since the last visit. 🙁
Poor baby. We are sending lots of purrs and prayers for him and your family.
Lincoln is my grandmothers older brother… I miss them both. Mesonga was a well known quiviut knitter and the president of Oomingmak. I have a fond memory of uncle Lincoln showing me how to carve ivory while he did a showcase at the Anchorage Museum.
Genevieve,
Over the time that Mike built your grandfather’s knife, we became great friends and admirers of Lincoln. I was so sad to learn of his passing. I remember watching him once carve the ivory the traditional way without any power tools- using his teeth to hold the awl straight along with his special tools. He was an amazing man! I am blessed to have met him.