From Ashton to Buddy an update…

For those who can remember this dear little kitten’s story, here is an update on how he recovered from his sad beginnings and is now a thriving young adult who rules the roost along with 3 other resident cats! It was certainly a lucky day as kitten days go back in June, picked up by a resident in Long Ashton all alone and injured, the odds were low that he would have been found at all that day. With no mother in sight, this seemingly lost and neglected little one was kindly taken to the local vets and once treated for an ulcer to the side of his face & wounds to his mouth, he was brought to Holly Hedge where he found a warm bed and lots of love and attention from all the staff. It also happened to be the same day that I volunteer at Holly Hedge, and after receiving multiple adorable photos and an SOS, I arrived with a cat basket in tow ready to foster this baby and heal his heart and wounds. I must confess it was love at first sight! I didn’t tell my husband that though as I’d promised him that this was just a temporary measure until he had healed! We already had 3 rescues who kept us on our toes and we were having the windows and outside of the house being painted at the time, so I knew it was going to be a struggle with escape routes everywhere. It was estimated that he was around 5 weeks old and the first few weeks were filled with bathing wounds, Zoopharmacognosy sessions, feeding, hydrating, Reiki healing, cuddles, cleaning out litter trays, more cuddles, more litter trays and basically tending to this little one’s needs, almost like one would do for a baby. I had forgotten how much preparation, time and attention a helpless one could take up! At this point I should say a heartfelt thanks to my husband Richard and also Louise Avery at the Sanctuary who was my lifeline on FB messenger. Louise has over 20 years’ experience dealing with the many abandoned cats and kittens that come to the doors of Holly Hedge and has expert knowledge on hand rearing kittens. It wasn’t easy, Buddy as we now called him, had multiple ticks and fleas, and parasites so bad that he was pooping up to 11 times a day. In fact, the first time he used the litter tray he produced a chewed feather and a piece of plastic! The poor soul must have been starving… but we got through it, the wounds healed, the litter tray was being emptied less and less and we were watching the magic of healing happen. Meanwhile, despite the efforts of the team at Holly Hedge and a public appeal searching for an owner, mother, or any other siblings, the search drew a blank and no conclusions have ever been made as to why he was found alone that day. What we do know is the rest of his story, and how he wriggled his way into the hearts of the public and through everyone’s generosity raised over £900 of much needed funds for Holly Hedge. Buddy’s story is just one of many abandoned kittens that come into their care every year and the work of the staff and many volunteers is just incredible, always going above and beyond despite such trying times. I am so grateful to be able to have nurtured and healed this little one, he was a lucky one and has not only survived, but has thrived. Of course, we went on to adopt him, and he has blended into our little feline family as if he was always part of the crew. He continues to challenge us and at 8 months old it’s like having a badly behaved teenager in the house, his antics know no bounds! I’m sure he thinks he is the alpha male, despite being the youngest, but we absolutely adore him and he is very loved. Buddy’s story has a happy ending, but there are many more just like him waiting for their forever homes. As a holistic volunteer for Holly Hedge, I see the sadness and abandonment in all their eyes and as we bring in the New Year my hope is that they all get a second chance like Buddy.

Helen Baker

Holistic Volunteer at Holly Hedge & Owner/Practitioner at Reiki & Herb, Animal Zoopharmacognosy

Thank you so much for coming to the rescue of this dear little soul and giving him a lifetime of joy to look forward to.