Some of our feline friends face unfortunate circumstances in life. Dealt a bad hand, they’re left to fend for themselves, holding onto hope for a savior to turn their luck around.
Luckily, the world’s full of cat lovers ready to extend a helping hand. I’m sure you are one of them, too.
Such kind-hearted individuals had recently crossed paths with the feline star of today’s story – Milton Longcat.
Milton’s journey was rough from the get-go, facing more downs than ups. But then came Dan, a guy with a big heart, who flipped the script on his story.
Just a quick heads up: You might want to keep a box of tissues close as the tale of Milton and Dan is a heart-tugger. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Dan and his wife are your average animal-loving couple, who spend their free time volunteering at the local animal shelter.
They have a soft spot for cats, in particular, and are proud parents of five adorable fluffballs. However, they’ve also wanted to try their hand at feline fostering.
Realizing that adding one more feline companion under their roof couldn’t hurt, they informed the shelter where they volunteered about their wish, knowing they’d support them. Dan said:
“We did the training and offered our services, and about a week later the foster coordinator asked if we would be interested in doing a medical foster.”
Although fostering a kitty with special medical needs is always challenging and not for the faint of heart, it proved to be a walk in the park for seasoned cat aficionados like Dan and his wife.
The cat they were to foster was called Milton Longcat, a beautiful 7-year-old lynx point Siamese.
According to the shelter staff, Milton had a rather tough life. Before arriving at the shelter, Milton had been abandoned by his family, hit by a car, mauled by a large animal, and shot with a BB gun.
After being rescued, Milton underwent a thorough veterinary examination, where it was found that he was suffering from feline hemotropic mycoplasmosis (FHM) and heartworm disease.
The poor guy also tested positive for feline immunodeficiency virus which only highlighted the urgency of finding a loving home with people skilled enough to tend to his needs.
When Dan and his wife learned of Milton’s struggles, they didn’t hesitate to welcome him into their home. They believed Milton, after enduring so much trauma, deserved the love and care of a nurturing family.
At home, they set up Milton’s very own safe space in Dan’s office, ensuring he received the care and privacy he deserved away from their five resident cats.
Initially unsure of how Milton would adjust, Dan and his wife were pleasantly surprised: Milton exceeded their expectations!
Dan recalled:
“From the moment we opened his carrier Milton was an absolute sweetheart. His first action when he was turned loose in my office was to headbutt my hands, and he purred like a freight train when I petted him.”
After a couple of days confined to Dan’s office, Milton managed to escape, curious about what lay beyond the door.
That day, Dan and his wife were reading in their living room when they heard the office door open. Recalling the whole event, Dan said:
“We heard Milton’s distinctive meezer meow coming down the hallway. I got up to put him back in the office, but before I got to him our 17 and 18-year-old senior citizens, Ranger and Sammy, had joined a sniff-fest with Milton and were remaining peaceful.”
Pleased with the harmonious interaction, Dan allowed Milton to explore further, meowing loudly as he ventured through every corner of his new home.
Milton’s exploration led him to Benni and Francesca, Dan’s two female cats, who immediately hissed at him. This took poor Milton by surprise, and he immediately changed the tone of his meow.
“It sounded like he was saying ‘Hey, why the hiss? We’re buddies! We love each other!’, then he would walk on and revert to his regular song.”
Among Dan’s five cats, Milton eventually found his new best friend – Fred, a two-year-old rescue fluff with a timid, but loving nature. Two boys instantly clicked, forming a strong and seemingly unbreakable bond.
According to Dan, Milton and Fred helped each other blossom into happy and playful felines. Although both were once shy, the friendship they shared completely transformed them.
“I often hear what sounds like a herd of wildebeest thundering down the hallway, but it’s Milton and Fred racing down the hall and leaping over each other.”
After a few weeks of fostering, Dan and his wife realized that Milton had become an integral part of their furry family.
So, they had no choice but to label him their foster fail – and adopt him for good!
“We couldn’t deal with the thought of giving him up. He now sleeps on the bed with us (often curling up on my pillow or my head) and is a wonderfully affectionate member of the family.”
Determined to give Milton the best life possible, Dan and his wife continued caring for him, now considering him their sixth furbaby rather than their first foster.
We all love a good foster fail story, don’t we? Feel free to share your thoughts on this one in the comments below.
Leave a comment