VILLAGE PET PAGES

Where’s Raisin?

By Hellen Osgood

Brian and I were visiting the Osgoods for the March Characters of the Village interview. We were there almost two hours when they told us they have a cat. I went to Raisin’s room to meet her. No Raisin. Hellen told me, “She most likely won’t come out.” You’ll understand why when you read this. —Joy Pape

I’ll never forget the hot August day in 2022 when our daughter Rebecca called me frantically saying that she just rescued a cat that was near death. Rebecca was doing a nanny job in upstate NY when a friend came to the house excitedly saying, “I was finally able to corral that cat in the barn.” It was a sweltering, humid day and Rebecca knew that the temperature in the barn was at least 110 degrees.

Rebecca being a cat owner, animal lover and animal activist, decided to investigate. To her horror, she saw a very sick calico cat tightly confined in a chicken wire enclosure without any food or water. There were chickens pecking at the cat who had nowhere to retreat. Her left ear was tipped, which is the sign of a feral cat that had been trapped, neutered and released.

Rebecca contacted her veterinarian and explained the dire situation. The vet agreed that the only thing to do was to remove the cat immediately and bring her into the office. Removing the cat and transporting her was easy because she was in such a tragic state and had no fight left in her.

The vet determined the cat was severely dehydrated and underweight so she started an IV immediately. The vet found that the cat was about six years old, didn’t have any teeth and that her vocal cords were damaged as if she had been strangled. The cat was abused, neglected and had a very difficult life. Rebecca decided right then and there that this baby was going home with her and that her name would be “Raisin” because she was dehydrated like a raisin in the sun.

Rebecca already had a senior cat and the vet advised to keep them separated with a gate. Raisin was completely catatonic for days. Rebecca provided her with wet food, water, a litter box, toys and plenty of places to hide and sleep comfortably. By the fourth day, Raisin started eating a little and began using the litter box. Even though Raisin was safe, she showed signs of being stressed; she hid and her tongue hung out of her mouth. It was going to be a very long road to recovery.

Rebecca’s other cat, Brueski, wasn’t thrilled that Raisin moved in and often went to the gate to make some noise.

In time, Raisin understood that she wasn’t in danger anymore. She still hid most of the time except at night when Rebecca could hear her playing with her toys. Raisin’s appetite was now very good and she was putting on weight.

In July 2023, Rebecca and her boyfriend Celestino decided to go away for the 4th of July weekend. She asked if my husband Harvey and I would watch both Brueski and Raisin. We were overjoyed because their relationship was blossoming and we were going to spend time with our grand-cats.

Rebecca and Cel had a magnificent weekend together. When Rebecca called to make arrangements to pick up the cats, I suggested that she leave them with us and use her time to go and fall in love which is exactly what happened.

In November, Rebecca moved in with Cel but they didn’t have a spare bedroom for Raisin so I suggested that Raisin stay with us. As the only cat in my house, Raisin was free to explore but she was still very shy and uncertain about who I was. I was determined make Raisin feel loved so I started with food. Food is love.

Raisin always has fresh wet food available. It is important to help her understand that she’ll never be without food. Raisin loves “Churus,” the lickable cat treats. In between the feedings, I go in the spare bedroom and say, “Raisin!! Churus!!” I put it on a plate, leave the room and in no time, the treat is gone.

Now when I call out “Churus!” she comes to me which is an amazing milestone in our trust development. If I ask her if she wants Churus, she starts licking her lips and giving me eye kisses, those lovely slow blinks of contentment and trust.

Raisin and I have fallen into a beautiful routine and one filled with complete trust. I can now enter her room and she doesn’t run away and hide. As for the future and her becomig a lap cat, Raisin doesn’t want physical contact and she may never; and that is okay with us. We only want her to feel loved and safe.

Raisin has become brave and has started exploring the apartment. When Harvey and I are watching a movie at night, we’ll see Raisin sneak off into our bedroom to explore.

Harvey and I never expected to have a cat in our lives, however Raisin’s presence has been a valuable gift of love.