Update on a Superhero.

I thought I would do an update on one of our later Ark passengers, Hero pictured above. You will note first that he is a very handsome young cat , of a particularly pretty, creamy ginger. The next thing you will remark is that he has one eye part closed as if in a salacious wink. This is not due to some innate rudeness, but does indeed date back to the circumstances of his birth.
   Almost exactly two years ago, we heard a piteous mewing from the disused hen-hoyle at the bottom of the village street. Further investigation revealed a tiny, cream-coloured form, howling its hunger and distress. When I picked it up I saw that it was a very young kitten, abandoned by its mother and in the last stages of starvation. That we could do something about, we always keep powdered `lait maternisé`and a small feeding bottle but the real shock dawned when I saw its face. Where the eyes should be were two black, crusty growths, like a horror film monster. It was obvious that the poor thing was blind.
  This was beyond our competence and I suggested to Kim that I should do the merciful thing and knock it on the head but of course she would hear nothing of it. `No, we`ll feed it and take it to the Vet` she said. `  If he says it`s hopeless, at least it can be put down gently`  So that is what we did.
   The vet`s practice at Chef Boutonne are used to having to work miracles on moribund life forms and Pierre said that in fact things were not as hopeless as had been feared. The black growths were in fact pus leaking from its infected eyes which had not yet opened. I suppose, lacking a mother`s care they had become dirty. The kitten was reasonably strong and once the black crust had been peeled off the eyes looked more hopeful. Antibiotics were injected, pills prescribed and advice on aftercare given. The only problem was that we were leaving shortly to go first to Lille, then on to the Pyrrenees! A huge syringe was prepared for continuing medication and the kitten had perforce to come with us in a large cat-box.
    He was a HUGE success everywhere we took him. Having known no other life he didn`t mind traveling in the car. He stayed in two Formule 1 hotels and was much feted at Lille, although Cécile was less than enthusiastic when she was pushed into giving his injections. She is a nurse and well used to injecting humans but came over all nervous at giving jabs to such a tiny creature!
    He was calm, took his bottle with no fuss and was clean from the outset, even when his eyes were not open to see his litter tray. He well deserved the name of `Hero` which Kim gave him for his courage in overcoming his early ordeal. In the colonie de vacances at Aucun in the mountains there was a queue to cuddle him. I think he was probably glad to get back to peaceful Mort Limouzin.
   His eyes, unfortunately had suffered damage from the infection and he always has one half shut, not always the same one. I believe he cannot use both at once but uses whichever gives the best view in the prevailing light level. It does not worry him at all.

  Nowadays he has grown into a playful and affectionate cat, a real success story! And, as you can see a most handsome fellow!

   Bye for now, it`s bedtime. Even heroes must sleep!