Posted on 10/25/2020 9:14:09 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
If you are an animal lover, hearing rescue stories about them might be one of your favorite things. Well, this one will surely tug at your heartstrings, as the feline protagonist in this story surprised his rescuers with something they never imagined they would discover.
This is Cotton, a stray cat who had been living in the streets before Joe, the owner of the home where he was found, saw him wandering outside his house in Royal Palm Beach, Florida.
He said the lost kitten came out of nowhere and started eating from the bowl of food that he prepared for his cat. According to him, Cotton looked “very hungry, like if he had not eaten in days.”
After watching him for a while, he noticed that the cat was suffering from a severe case of mange, a type of inflammatory skin disease caused by mites. Cotton’s eyes were crusted shut because of this and he is unable to see. Feeling sorry for the cat, Joe went inside his home to find a carrier.
Luckily, he got one and he placed a bowl of food inside. He said Cotton immediately walked into it, still looking so hungry after eating from the first bowl.
Joe posted a plea for help on a local group on Facebook, but no one took notice. Until one day, Carmen Weinberg – who has been fostering stray cats and helping them find homes – came across the post through a friend. She knew right then that she had to help poor Cotton.
“Early the next morning, I drove to pick him up. I took him immediately to my vet, Justin Bartlett Animal Hospital, and they confirmed that he was suffering from mange, was very dehydrated and malnourished,” Carmen informed Love Meow.
The condition kept Cotton from opening his eyes, which means that he had been wandering the streets completely blind for quite some time. According to Carmen, the kitten was purring the whole time he was being examined in the veterinarian’s office.
He was then given antibiotics to treat his mange, a dose of Revolution, and fluids before he was sent home. Fortunately, Carmen had a spare bathroom in her house where she let Cotton stay.
Cotton was extremely skinny when he was found, but he ate well and loved being touched, said Carmen of the rescued cat. “My husband Don, son Carlos and daughter Elisa, are used to dealing with cats with many illnesses and we knew that if we took some precautions, that we could still touch and love Cotton to help him heal.”
Within a few days of staying at Carmen’s household, the cat began to show signs of healing. Through the application of coconut oil to soothe his skin, the crust in Cotton’s ears started coming off. The cat was also given an abundance of canned food and lots of water to keep him hydrated.
As expected, Cotton gradually began to look healthier as he gained more weight and his hair started growing again. But here was the real twist – for the first time since he was taken in, Carmen noticed that Cotton had one blue eye and one yellow eye. What a nice surprise!
Carmen says that Cotton’s personality has changed over time. From being impatient when being touched, the cat has grown to be much more affectionate now. In fact, the cat would not let her go anywhere alone, and would often give her kisses and ask for her attention.
“Cotton is doing very well. He is home. He loves me and follows me around the house all day. I don’t have the heart to put him through changes,” Carmen told Love Meow.
Cotton has totally transformed into a handsome and healthy feline. This cat’s story is proof that the lives of rescue animals can be saved with the just the right amount of patience, dedication and most importantly, love.
What a great story!
Thank God for the animals.
Beautiful.
Sweet!
I have taken in a few strays over the years. Taming a feral kitten can be hit or miss.
Thanks.
Thank you for that story. It was very touching.
Somebody cared enough to act. That’s all it took.
Poor baby...how awful. He sure turned into a beauty!
Cotton’s tale was very inspiring, thanks for posting.
LOL!!!
Yes...we have one of the “miss” ones...he requires 2 drugs...after 5 years he still hates me, but will allow my hub to occasionally pick him up.
Nice story
What a come back
Gorgeous eyes
I love happy ending cat stories.......
Matthew 25Because that fell under "talk about timing", I figured I should look up the meaning (etymology) of the word cotton.34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Whoever elects to check that link will discover that the word is of "uncertain origin", thus perhaps "a corruption of another word."
Ahhh, d'oh... for this little story and its connection to the "least" of my brethren, I give you...
"Cotton"
Cotton... then surprised rescuers with his beautiful unique eyes.
What a wonderful story. The only thing weird is why Joe didn’t immediately take cotton to a vet??? Guy has a cat. Great ending though : )
Our feral rescue is on the table next to the couch watching my husband work on the computer. It took a loooong time, but she is now a love bug.
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