PANERA Domestic Long Hair Mix Grand Rapids, MI

On March 19th 2008, mid-afternoon, unknown to us, we received a special delivery behind our building. Our neighbor, not realizing we don't get deliveries made to our back door, didn't think much of the large bureau-type box left on our doorstep by two adult men, laughing as they dumped their cargo out from the back of a black, older model, Econoline van. He did, however, find the fact that their license plate was covered a bit disturbing, but wasn't able to get hold of anyone to let us know.




Later that night, when one of the volunteers on shift was doing the dishes, she heard a scratching out back, and looked to see if raccoons were getting into the recyclables. Imagine her surprise when she and the rest of the crew, armed with flashlights, trucked on out back to discover the box, holes punched in it, and a frantic, black ball of fur skittering around inside! So, clad in my pajamas, I met them there, and we slowly disassembled the box, unsure of what and whom we would find within. To our utter astonishment, inside the box were three more boxes, and inside of those boxes (gee I sound like Dr, Seuss) were a total of SIX cats!




All were in various stages of illness, malnutrition, wariness and filth, but amazingly enough, not one of the Sickly Six (as I dubbed them) were too frightened or petrified to accept love and comfort from the four of us, who were scrambling around to find flea control and open cages for them so they could hunker down and relax for the night. See, we cannot take cats directly into our building for obvious safety and health reasons, but at 10:30 at night, what can one do except improvise!




The next day I took the Sickly Six out to the clinic, and spent the better portion of two days providing medical care for the group. Two of them had pretty severe upper-respiratory infections, two needed teeth pulled, all had severe diarrhea and major ear mites/ear infections, two were emaciated and all six were just starving - for food and for reassurance, affection and comfort!




Panera, the only boy of the bunch, must be a distant cousin to the black beauties he came with. He is our love bug, who is constantly kneading dough, hence his name. He is quick to give and receive affection, and is really just a joy to sit back and watch, as he kneads his blankies into a fine, mushy dough bed!




We think he was born in early 2002, but I can't be certain. What I am sure of, though, is how, over the past several years since he has been with us (I am updating his bio in June of 2011), Panera has acquired many fans, human and feline alike, as he is just about one of the sweetest cats we know!




He has had issues with chronic rhinitis and otitis media (middle ear infections) stemming from the poor care (or lack thereof) he received prior to his arrival, but nothing that should prohibit him from adoption. He also has a mild case of a chronic inflammatory condition known as Pododermatitis that we are currently treating successfully with steroids. Overall, he isn't the picture of health, but all of his medical issues are being managed nicely. And, he comes complete with his own box of Kleenex!




His life before Crash's was so unbelievably awful that I want only the best for him, so if he has to live out his life here with us, I think he will be happy as a clam. That said, I would love nothing more than to give him a rightful home of his own, so why don't you come on down and meet the man-you will NOT be sorry you did!




This cat has a history of chronic rhinitis.




This cat has a history of pillow feet.