MY FRIEND MOJO

by Kathy
(Australia)

He tottered towards me in our BBQ area,in the dim light, and I screamed "Yuk its a rat". Closer inspection showed it was a tiny blue eyed grey kitten probably under 4 weeks of age.

It was a cold night, so we brought him in and tried unsuccessfully to feed him. So we wrapped him up in warm rugs with a hot water bottle and put him in a cardboard box, and he immediately fell asleep.

The next day we tried again to feed him but he couldn't lap and so we purchased a feeding bottle, which he took to immediately. So, instead of going to the RSPCA he acquired toys, feeding bowls and a climbing apparatus, and cemented his position in the family.

Naming him took longer as we were not sure if he was a boy or girl, but eventually we decided on Mojo. Bottle feeding went well,and two weeks later he started lapping, and sampling solids mixed in milk. He never made it to the RSPCA obviously, as the family fell in love with him. His antics were amazing to watch as he made himself at home and investigated his palace and played with his humans.

We would sit in front of TV at night but spend most of the time watching him, and laughing at his frolics and playing games with him. He grew sleek and healthy until suddenly at about 7 months of age he stopped eating and playing, and became lethargic. The vet was mystified but tried antibiotics as his temperature was up a little. Poor mojo started vomiting and refusing even water. Next trip to the vet he was X-rayed which showed some sort of blockage, which turned out to be a twisted stomach.

Poor Mojo got through the operation well, but continued to refuse food for the next few weeks. Then just when we finally decided it would be kinder to put him to sleep, there was a complete turn around as he asked for food for the first time. Over the next few days his appetite grew fiercely and he started demanding five meals a day, which we happily provided, and we watched in amazement as he regained his strength and started showing interest in life again.

We are delighted with his progress and now look forward to many years with our magical cat.