LOUIS, Duke of Scabbington Extra-Toes Cat / Hemingway Polydactyl & Domestic Short Hair Mix Grand Rapids, MI

On December 21st, 2015 I received a call from Kentwood Cat Clinic asking if we would be able to take in a FIV+ stray that a client had brought in after caring for him outdoors for a few weeks. A bonafide ‘hot mess’, this 3-1/2 year old intact male (born in the summer of 2012) was suffering from a nasty external ear infection, caused by untreated ear mites, that progressed to an otitis media/ruptured ear drum. His entire mammoth head and muscular neck was peppered in sores and scales, a miliary dermatitis that left him super scabby and rough like tree bark. Although at first he was a bit head shy (gee, I wonder why), once he was neutered, treated for internal parasites (he was loaded with them!) cleaned up, combed out and his right ear canal flushed free-from debris, Louis, the Duke of Scabbington looked like a million bucks—and probably felt like a brand new cat! In fact, I am almost certain that if he could have raised his massive forepaws and given me a high-five in appreciation he would have!

Louis (pronounced ‘Louie’) is a quiet, gallant, aristocratic cat, hence his very regal name:) Once his issues started resolving, we all discovered just how much he LOVES having his noggin nuzzled and his ginormous jowls rubbed. And, since his haircoat is soft like bunny fur and not coarse and rough like most outdoor kitties, he gets ‘oohed’ and ‘aahed’ over by every volunteer who lays hands on his handsome hunkiness! He is enraptured by the kindness of human touch and simply cannot absorb enough loving, though he certainly tries his best:) It’s funny, because if you judged a book by it’s cover, you would think that gruff-looking Louis would not want anything to do with the finer things in life, but in actuality, he wants nothing more than to be pampered and praised. If only someone had taken the time and responsibility to make him an indoor pet years ago, before he contracted FIV from a cat bite, before he sired who knows how many illegitimate offspring, BEFORE he ended up miserable and in dire need of medical attention...sigh. But I am not one for dwelling on the past, and in this great guy’s case, we are focusing on the future he has here with us at Big Sid’s, and ultimately finding him a place to call his own. Since he doesn’t have a mean bone inside of that beguiling body of his, adoption is more than a viable option, it is a MUST for our resident royalty!