Mortimer's Dilemma
So I've been living back at my mom's place for the past month while I find a job somewhere in Cali. My mom's sister Theresa lives with her, also. Just before I showed up Theresa got a new cat to replace her old one. Her old cat was totally crappy. It hated me and was a total agoraphobe. The damn thing would just hide under Theresa's bed the entire time I was visiting. That cat died. Probably from stress. This new cat, though, is awesome. First, he's a really good looking cat. Also, he is totally playful. I've never seen a cat as playful as this guy. And best of all, he likes me best out of the household. I mean, this cat clearly has good taste. Oh, and my aunt named him Mortimer, as in Randolph and Mortimer from Trading Places. Good stuff.
In fact, the only real problem with this cat is that he couldn't seem to understand that he's not supposed to walk around on the kitchen counters and the kitchen table. For my mom it's a big no-no and I understand. Afterall, they are the food preparation and eating surfaces. But no matter how many times we took the cat off the counter and scolded him for jumping up, he'd do it again a little while later. Last night I had just finished watching a movie when I noticed the cat on the counter. I told him to get down and as usual he looked at me with a general air of incomprehension. So I grabbed him from under the belly like I've already done a hundred times before and began moving him off of the counter. Suddenly he twists in my hand to try and get free and he succeeds. He falls to the floor (a three foot drop) and I hear a little *snap* and he yells and then runs away with a lame back right leg while hissing at me.
Did I mention that Theresa is out of town and I'm looking after the cat? Anyway, eventually he calms down and I'm able to get him out from under my aunt's bed (that the cat could climb stairs with a broken leg impressed me; he's a trooper) and into the carrier thing. I take him to a 24 hour vet and they take some x-rays and show me the break. Pretty clean break near his knee or ankle, I can't really remember right now. They say that a cast might work, but they think it should be looked at by an expert because surgery might be required. I didn't have a chance to talk to my aunt, so I say put a splint on it and I'll decide what to do tomorrow. I get the cat home and he's nice a drugged up. Within an hour of getting home, he somehow gets the splint off his leg. Fucking Houdini. Either that or the people who put the splint on didn't do it properly, but I'm going to guess that they were competent.
I take the cat into the vet today and they say that because of his ability to get the splint off last night and the fact that he's young they think surgery would be a better option than a cast (because he'd likely escape from the cast just like the splint). I get a preliminary quote for something in the range of $1500-2000 for surgery. That's on top of the $400 it cost last night just to go get a couple x-rays and a splint that didn't stay on. OK, now let me please say that I like this cat a lot. Tons of personality and a fun animal to have around. But he's a cat. And he's only been around for like 6 weeks. He got unlucky on a small fall and is now hurt. I just find it so difficult to actually imagine spending upwards of $2500 fixing this cat's leg. I guess that somewhere around 12 years down the road my aunt could be glad for spending the money, but at the same time, think of what else that money could buy. Think of the human beings that could be helped out with that money if a person were so inclined.
Anyway, it's a tough situation. If I were filthy rich and had the money to spare, I would totally give it to my aunt because I like Mortimer that much. However, she'll probably end up going for the cast because it'll likely work and is a whole lot less expensive. But what if there were someone else willing to spend the money for the surgery, but only if they get the cat. Would my aunt have an ethical obligation to get her cat the best possible treatment by giving him away?
I'm still not talking to you, Randolph! (great cameo)
So I've been living back at my mom's place for the past month while I find a job somewhere in Cali. My mom's sister Theresa lives with her, also. Just before I showed up Theresa got a new cat to replace her old one. Her old cat was totally crappy. It hated me and was a total agoraphobe. The damn thing would just hide under Theresa's bed the entire time I was visiting. That cat died. Probably from stress. This new cat, though, is awesome. First, he's a really good looking cat. Also, he is totally playful. I've never seen a cat as playful as this guy. And best of all, he likes me best out of the household. I mean, this cat clearly has good taste. Oh, and my aunt named him Mortimer, as in Randolph and Mortimer from Trading Places. Good stuff.
In fact, the only real problem with this cat is that he couldn't seem to understand that he's not supposed to walk around on the kitchen counters and the kitchen table. For my mom it's a big no-no and I understand. Afterall, they are the food preparation and eating surfaces. But no matter how many times we took the cat off the counter and scolded him for jumping up, he'd do it again a little while later. Last night I had just finished watching a movie when I noticed the cat on the counter. I told him to get down and as usual he looked at me with a general air of incomprehension. So I grabbed him from under the belly like I've already done a hundred times before and began moving him off of the counter. Suddenly he twists in my hand to try and get free and he succeeds. He falls to the floor (a three foot drop) and I hear a little *snap* and he yells and then runs away with a lame back right leg while hissing at me.
Did I mention that Theresa is out of town and I'm looking after the cat? Anyway, eventually he calms down and I'm able to get him out from under my aunt's bed (that the cat could climb stairs with a broken leg impressed me; he's a trooper) and into the carrier thing. I take him to a 24 hour vet and they take some x-rays and show me the break. Pretty clean break near his knee or ankle, I can't really remember right now. They say that a cast might work, but they think it should be looked at by an expert because surgery might be required. I didn't have a chance to talk to my aunt, so I say put a splint on it and I'll decide what to do tomorrow. I get the cat home and he's nice a drugged up. Within an hour of getting home, he somehow gets the splint off his leg. Fucking Houdini. Either that or the people who put the splint on didn't do it properly, but I'm going to guess that they were competent.
I take the cat into the vet today and they say that because of his ability to get the splint off last night and the fact that he's young they think surgery would be a better option than a cast (because he'd likely escape from the cast just like the splint). I get a preliminary quote for something in the range of $1500-2000 for surgery. That's on top of the $400 it cost last night just to go get a couple x-rays and a splint that didn't stay on. OK, now let me please say that I like this cat a lot. Tons of personality and a fun animal to have around. But he's a cat. And he's only been around for like 6 weeks. He got unlucky on a small fall and is now hurt. I just find it so difficult to actually imagine spending upwards of $2500 fixing this cat's leg. I guess that somewhere around 12 years down the road my aunt could be glad for spending the money, but at the same time, think of what else that money could buy. Think of the human beings that could be helped out with that money if a person were so inclined.
Anyway, it's a tough situation. If I were filthy rich and had the money to spare, I would totally give it to my aunt because I like Mortimer that much. However, she'll probably end up going for the cast because it'll likely work and is a whole lot less expensive. But what if there were someone else willing to spend the money for the surgery, but only if they get the cat. Would my aunt have an ethical obligation to get her cat the best possible treatment by giving him away?
I'm still not talking to you, Randolph! (great cameo)
VIEW 4 of 4 COMMENTS
she's like our kid...
i hope it turns out ok for you all
How did this turn out by the way?