Ophelia

Ophelia (KH)

Torties have a reputation for sass, for unpredictability; the saying is that “people have attitude, cats have cattitude, and torties have tortitude”. And we’ve certainly had our share of the latter: sassy Lunette, who was known as “lunatic” in her early days with us; Princess, who has been with us for more than 4 years, and has only recently started being touchable; bossy Gwen who now loves people but still hates cats – and before them, Treacle, Emily and others.  But we’ve also had our share of gentle, sweet torties: Blaze and Toes, Chelsea, Beans – and, for RAPS old-timers, our beloved Daisy, who loved everyone. So when a new tortie arrives, it’s always interesting to know where she’s going to be on the tortietude scale.

Ophelia loves people  (KN)

Ophelia came to us from out-of-province; our primary ties are with BC’s rescues, but good work is happening everywhere, and sometimes we are the best solution to a problem that, in another jurisdiction, could end in so-called euthanasia. Our contacts here were with the Canadian Animal Task Force (CATF) in Calgary which works with Alberta rescues, shelters and Indigenous communities, with a focus on spay/neuter for both dogs and cats. It was from them, in 2021, that we took in the colony that is still based in Pen 3 – Cornelius, William Shakespurr, Jenkins and the rest of that formerly hoarded group. And we were the ones they called when Ophelia came into their hands.

Wand toys are the best!  (KH)

She is still a youngster – probably around 2 years old – but she has a variety of health issues. She’s theoretically a semiferal, but definitely on the tamer end of the spectrum, and it was decided to place her in the SingleWide where her health could be monitored. She has plasma cell pododermatitis, more commonly known as pillowfoot – puffy, swollen paw-pads. It is thought that it’s an immune system condition, and we’ve seen in before in FIV cats. Auto-immune diseases can throw up a variety of problems, and Ophelia also has occasional inflammation of genitals and problems with her eyes that require eye-drops.  She was fostered by a volunteer for a while, but you can’t explain the necessity for giving eye-drops to a cat, and she was so hard to medicate that it was decided to return her to us, where two pairs of experienced hands could combine to treat her more easily.

Ophelia and Oscar (AA)

Ophelia is very happy with her situation (other than the eyedrops). Her inner kitten is still present, and she loves to play. Even more, she loves having companions. Her companions are not so sure about this!  Oscar is a dignified cat, and it’s beneath his dignity to play, but Ophelia persists in flirting with him until his patience ends and he takes himself out of the way.  

Sharing space with Winston (KH)

She’s also tried it with floofy Winston, but he’s better at removing himself. Black Polar is closer to her age, and more willing to engage; they both love wand toys and will take turns without aggression. Texan Syd will join in, but can get a little carried away; he doesn’t know his own strength.

Loves her lap-time (KH)

Ophelia also loves her humans; she’s often the greeter at the door, and looking for attention. She’s a lap-sitter and a neck-snuggler; one of the joys of working in the SingleWide is the chance to sit when all is done (and sometimes before it’s done!) and have cuddles with cats. There are several of them who will claim lap-time, and Ophelia has added herself to the list. The happier she is with being handled, the easier it is for the med-staff to give her the necessary care, so we all do our part!

Playtime with Polar (AA)

We’re the perfect place for her to land; all the necessary medical care, boyfriends to play with, humans for attention all day, every day. Cat heaven for Ophelia... 

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Alicia Almeida, Kim Howe, Bev Johnston, Karen Nicholson