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WILD BILL

Wild Bill is our oldest resident in that he has lived at the shelter the longest without ever being adopted. He came to us in October 1994 and has not left our shelter once. He came in extremely wild and would even flip over heavily weighted water bowls in his cage. He would not let anyone touch him for years and liked to live on top of some of the cages in our old shelter. When we moved to our new (current) shelter, he started to come out of his shell a little more. He can still be shy with people he doesn't know, but once he gets to know you he loves to be petted. He's very gentle and gets along great with his fellow shelter residents. Some of the younger cats like to cuddle up next to him when it's time for a catnap. Cat Welfare is Wild Bill's home and he absolutely loves to sleep in the sunrays on our sun porch. He's very comfortable here and we don't think that he would ever want to live anywhere else.

Note: Health update April 2005 - In March 2005, Wild Bill started drooling frequently and seemed a little lethargic. The staff put him in a cage, must to his dislike, so he could be monitored and tests could be run. It was discovered that he has a nickel-sized tumor under his tongue. It is unknown whether the tumor is cancerous or not, but due to the location and nature of oral tumors, surgery is not an option. The only treatment we can give him is medications to keep the inflammation down and to keep him comfortable, and lots of love and attention. His lungs and everything else seem to be doing well and he is getting his favorite beef, chicken, and turkey baby food. He has gained some weight and is back to being a "floor cat" and enjoying himself on the sun porch. We hope that the tumor will not be a fast growing one and that he will be one of the lucky cats that can live comfortably with a tumor for many more months. Of course, if the tumor grows too much and he becomes unable to eat or is in constant discomfort, then we will have to let him go. We hope that Wild Bill's Guardian Angels will keep him in their thoughts and will come in to visit him often.

Final Update - May 2005 - It is with a heavy heart and tearful eyes that I write to tell you that Cat Welfare had to have Wild Bill put to sleep on May 12, 2005. He had begun to bleed from the tumor in his mouth and was experiencing discomfort so the staff felt it was time to say their goodbyes and to let him go. He had been receiving a lot of extra love and attention and was the recipient of many cuddles during last Tuesday evening's Silent Socialization session (where volunteers come in to pet and groom and love the kitties after hours).

Wild Bill has always been one of my favorite Cat Welfare kitties of all time. I know that I will miss him dearly and I know all of his special Guardian Angels will, too. It will seem odd at the shelter without Wild Bill there. His silent meows and the sight of him looking out the window of the sun porch from his favorite perch will be greatly missed.