Angelo

Believe it or not, this scrawny little fluffer used to be a real Persian... and will be again once his fur grows out and we fatten him up a bit.

Angelo, as he's now called, was recently found as a stray near the airport. Leslie thinks he may have escaped from the cargo hold of a plane, as sometimes happens.

When he was found, he was emaciated and his coat was all in matts. As if this wasn't enough, when he was brought to the RAPS vet, he tested positive for FIV and has diabetes.

In spite of all this, Angelo remains a total sweetheart. Sitting right by the cage door where he's ready to cuddle with anyone who might happen to stop by, he purred and purred while I stroked him and scratched under his chin. Far from hiding or hissing like some newcomers, Angelo actually seems happy and grateful to be with us.

Update October 18, 2010: Unfortunately, the combination of FIV, diabetes and malnourishment after having to fend for himself for who knows how long proved more than Angelo's little body could handle. His heart started to fail at the end of last week, necessitating a final trip to the vet to avoid prolonging the inevitable.