by Donna Ploss
I work for a newspaper and also am involved in animal rescue. I was home one morning when I got a call from the switchboard operator (a true animal lover) at the paper telling me about a woman who called. She was distraught because her 20 year old cat, Ozzy, was beaten with a baseball bat as he lay in her driveway soaking up the sun. When his body was discovered, he was immediately rushed to a veterinary hospital and remained in intensive care for 2 days. He had a fractured skull, his jaw was broken in 3 places and he could not eat. There was also a question of brain damage.
Eileen told me that the hospital Ozzy was in was holding him hostage until the bill was paid in full. She asked about making payment arrangements and they refused. She offered her mother's antique diamond engagement ring, again they refused. Knowing and formerly working at this veterinary hospital, I was furious. I spoke with the primary vet and told him the situation. I also told him that the way this woman was treated was appalling and if the newspaper ever got wind of it and did a story, it would NOT be a favorable one. He said that he would speak to the employees. By this time, Eileen had already borrowed $200 to put something down on the bill. To them that was not good enough.
Ozzy took a turn for the worse. They found a small mass in his jaw they suspected was cancer. Eileen, who didn't want Ozzy to suffer any longer, decided it was time to end his pain.
I had only met Eileen that day and yet I felt her pain. I offered to go with her to the vet so she wouldn't have to be alone. I had never experienced a euthanization before in my life.
When they brought Ozzy in, we both immediately began to cry. He looked terrible! His jaw was wired and he was breathing through his mouth. But he recognized his mama and tried "talking" to her. He put his head in her hands and began to purr. I had never met Ozzy before this, yet he walked over to me and, purring, hid his face in my armpit. After some scumbag person (I won't call them human) did this to him, this beautiful tiger cat still trusted enough to purr and show effection. I was totally blown away by him and instantly fell in love.
Eileen couldn't stand to see him go to the Bridge, so I offered to hold him and let him know we BOTH loved him very much and that it was time. He looked up at me this his blood shot eyes and meowed as if to say "it's okay now" and with a push of a needle he was gone. There was no more pain.
Ozzy, we miss you terribly. For the short time I knew you, you touched my heart deeply. I will never forget you, nor will I stop my search for whoever did this to you.
Be happy and know that someday, the three of us will meet again.
Love and purrs,
Donna