3 Years of NotMyCats: Oscar (NoLonger) Wild
I was previously going in chronological order with Stupid + Kittens, Bruce, Creamsicle, Gandalf, and Brindle + Kittens, but last Thursday I had a surprise visitor that needed to skip the line. That morning when I went out at 5:30 to feed the army of strays on my street, a black shape sprinted at me and immediately headbutted me. I was able to scoop him up in my arms and put him in the bathroom and get it all set up before I had to leave for work.
With no more preamble, meet Oscar. The sweetest old man I’ve ever seen. He was very hungry and looked very haggard (fur very thin, a fair number of scars all over his body, covered in fleas, goopy eyes, etc). But as soon as his belly was full, ALL he wanted was pets. Butt pets, chin scritches, ear scritches, belly pets, cuddles, smooches, you name it. Strangely… he was fixed, but didn’t have an ear tip or microchip. I assumed he had to be a lost pet. And, technically, I was right. I posted on NextDoor and the local Facebook pet search group… and then, on a whim, I texted my neighbors who are really well-connected to let them know to keep an ear out for anyone missing a cat.
An hour later they texted back with pictures, asking if THIS was the cat in my house. I confirmed and they lost their minds (in a good way). They sent me the picture with the date and time and said he’d been missing for EIGHT. YEARS (more context in screenshots of our text exchange). However, the actual owner is the neighbor's son, who has since moved away. Son was so happy that Oscar was found, but it’s still uncertain if he’s going to be able to take him back. Regardless, this distinguished gentleman is going to have a pampered life whether his previous owners come get him or I have to find him another home, because he’s absolutely thriving inside.
I love him so much, and if it wouldn’t impede my ability to continue to rescue/trap, I’d take him in. I thankfully get at least 2 weeks with him while I nurse him back to health, and I’ll make the most of it. Also thankfully, he’s the friendliest boy and has already met one of my friends as well as some of the neighbors and been cooed over and lavished with pets, so I’m confident we can find him a great home. I’ve included his glamour shots first, then included some of his previous owner’s pictures as well as snippets of our convo. The last few pictures/videos are those that give some hints as to how old and scraggly he was/is, especially when he first came to see me.