As I have worked with Phil during our time at the UKRCC, I feel that I must let everyone here know what lengths he ALWAYS goes to for any cat that he sees in any kind of need.
As I am sure some of you already know, Philip was a co-ordinator, homechecker and foster carer for the UKRCC (Ragdoll Cat Charity). I met him when I needed a home checked for a cat that I was fostering and nothing was too much trouble for him. As a result a ragdoll now has a purrfect home on the south coast where she is loved and spoiled.
Anyway I digress, Philip has over recent years first fostered and then adopted Delphi, she was adorable, but was definitely a special needs cat. As we are in regular phone contact I know of the days (and nights) that he worried about her, the lengths he went to to make sure that she was eating and drinking enough, that her weight was OK and that she had everything else that she needed, even to the extent of turning his dining room into a kind of 'cat apartment' for her during her last weeks so that she had everything she needed and was comfortable. Sadly she was diagnosed with cancer last year, and after surgery had another six happy months, but sadly she was again taken ill about six weeks ago and he had to have her PTS. I know that this broke his heart and he is still coming to terms with this.
Phil has told me about Pusspuss on many occasions, of how the hospital staff all care for her and make sure that she is wormed and fed, spoiled and has lots of attention, that visitors and patients alike love her to bits etc. etc. I am sure that she is as good as any medicine for the patients. Although we don't know, often these cats have a perfectly good home where they go after a day outside and Pusspuss looks like this could well be the case with her - maybe she just likes being around people and there is no shortage of them at the hospital
I also know for a fact that if she needed veterinary care, Phil would be first is the queue to take her and the cost of this would come straight from his own pocket - animals always come first with him. I could tell you stories of how he cares for cats that he just happens across as he goes about his daily life, but this is not the place for that.
Pusspuss looks a contented, well fed and happy cat to me. Her coat is beautiful and I for one think this post should have be treated in the spirit it was written in - which is to give us all an awwww moment.
I love cats, all cats, and pride myself on having their welfare as a priority in my life, but compared to the lengths that Phil goes to for them, my efforts would be counted as very feeble.
I don't want to upset anyone here, but just wanted everyone to be aware that this is a difficult time for Phil, and to suggest that he has anything but the very best interests of Pusspuss at heart, or that he could do more for her would be very upsetting for him. Of course we all have our opinions, and are entitled to them, but mine is that Pusspuss is a very well cared for cat - obviously she is not ferral, has been neutered (otherwise she would be having kittens regularly) and is very happy with her lot.
I think that she is happy where she is, and would not like being taken out of her environment. Compared to some she is a very lucky girl and we should be pleased that so many people keep an eye on her and have her best interests at heart.
