Friday, February 11, 2011

The miracle of Walter


Walter is a cat. Walter used to be our cat. When we left Melbourne 7 years ago we faced a very hard decision. This dear sweet boy, all curled up in a perfect circle had a health condition, cardiomyopathy. He would not survive a 24 hour journey from Australia to our new home in the United States.  In fact, it was unlikely that he would live much more that 6 months.

I remember well when Walter came into our lives. I was sick in bed with bronchitis. Our neigbor came to the door wondering if we would take in a kitten that got hung up in their shrubs. It was mewling and their puppy was having nothing of this intruder. Sweet Peter said, ah umm, and me, from what felt like my death bed, called out, 'yes, of course, we'll have that kitten.' Oh, so very long ago.


Walter went to live with friends that were generous enough to take in a cat that maybe had no much time left. They loved him, he got to watch cartoons every day with their wee little toddler. We lost touch and I've often wondered about Walter and of course our friends.

Just a little while ago, we got photos of Walter from our friends. See those ears up there? We had to have Walter's ears amputated because he had sun cancer on the tips. This is a recent photo of Walter. He is now 17 years old, 7 years older than anyone thought he would be. An absolute miracle that this old boy has made it to this grand old age.

Thanks Em, Rob, and William! We still love Walter and feel oh, so, blessed that he has a loving home with you.

Happy weekend!

24 comments:

Unknown said...

What a happy continuation that Walter has exceeded everyone's expectations on how much time he had left and is happily watching cartoons. I love pets named Walter!

steufel said...

Love the name! And what a great story, you must be so happy that he is still alive. Thxs for sharing.

Spirited Earth said...

this is such a touching post..
thank heaven for people who will step up and say YES instead of Oh no, we can't do that..you, your friends and everyone who opens their homes and hearts to needy pets.
your friends must love walter to get him to 17yrs old.

Indian Creek Studios said...

I love those ears! Yeah Walter! He looks great

anca said...

nice and touching story. i love cats, i have a black one. best regards from Romania.

Mellisa said...

Here I was bracing myself for the tragic twist at the end...what a wonderful thing to find out that Walter is still has some of his 9 lives to spare!

Judy said...

You can hardly tell his ears where trimmed back a bit....he is so handsome! How wonderful it was you found great people to take him in.

Marsha of Marsha Neal Studio said...

Oh - how wonderful!!! It is so cool that you received news and a photo of him. Kinda makes the circle complete to know that you made the right decision for him because he has thrived in that family. I'm sure if you would have stayed in Melbourne, he would have thrived with you as well… So delightful!!!

Liz Revit said...

It must have been so hard to leave Walter, but at least he's in good hands. This is a very nice post.

The Joy of Nesting said...

Every thing in it's own time and it's own way. Good for Walter for not listening to what those silly humans say anyway!! :)

Pattie ;)
Mazat;an Mx.

TesoriTrovati said...

That is a perfect circle of fluff! What a great treat to know that he is living and thriving with his new family. Thank you for sharing that!
Enjoy the day!
Erin

stregata said...

Oh my, LeAnn - I am dissolving! Walter reminds me of our Casanova - who wears the scars of many battles on his ears. What a wonderful thing to find he is still enjoying a cat's life - 17 years is a very ripe age for most cats. You must be very happy.
I just love the picture of him curled up in a ball!

Barbara Lewis said...

Walter is adorable! And I love his "ear job." He had a wonderful life, to be sure.

mairedodd said...

how wonderful to know that walter has lived such a full life and is loved -

lunedreams said...

Go Walter! How thoughtful of your friends to think of you and send you a photo! This makes me happy to read--you must have been overjoyed to hear that Walter has been enjoying a good, long life with his new family.

Beth Hikes said...

Oh LeAnn, this just touches my heart! Wonderful Walter is a miracle to behold.

Winchell Clayworks said...

You just made my day!

sharon said...

How wonderful to see Walter and miracles really do happen! I am happy for everyone!

sasha + max studio said...

Walter is a brave little man,LeAnn, and so handsome too!
We has a cat, Inky Binks who was born with a heart condition - we were told she would live until 4 years max. Welll she was a tough girl, and had a great life for 13 years with the help of modern scince- and went out fighting, bless her - we lost her 3 years ago and shes still very much in our hearts. Cats are such sweet souls.
Enjoy the weekend. Vicki :)

Pretty Things said...

Oh, how heart-warming! My first kitty passed away last year and he was nearly 20. He had diabetes for at least two years and renal failure but lasted so much longer than anyone expected and wasn't acting like he was in pain or anything of the sort. I'm so glad Walter is with friends!

Cindy said...

LeAnn, thank you for sharing this story of your dear Walter. I just love the full-circle picture of Walter, all curled up and content. This is so very heartwarming and comforting to know he has gone on way past the odds and has been living a full life and is loved so!

Artisan Beads Plus said...

What a great story! I'm so happy that Walter had such a good life with so much love!

Unknown said...

That was really a wonderful story of
Walter! The resilience and love it was so great reading about him!

My Life Under the Bus said...

A.Yeah for Walter!!!
B.Yeah for Aussie's one of my best friends lives in Queensland - Aussies rock!