After roaming the streets for over a decade, Teddy the feline was finally rescued, in a pitiful state. His chances of survival seemed slim, but Teddy defied all expectations with his remarkable determination to keep going.
“We’ve cared for some underdogs before, but Teddy was definitely one of the biggest underdogs I’ve ever come across.”
Eight months back, Leesa White and her husband Dan, who are passionate animal rescuers from Ivy’s Memorial Rescue in Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada, found out about a street cat who seemed to have exhausted most of his nine lives.
“We were told that Teddy had been surviving on the streets for approximately 11 years, as per a few kind souls who were feeding him. One of them even went the extra mile to build him a shelter. When Teddy fell seriously ill, I was contacted to help in catching him. His condition was dire, and we all involved in his rescue thought he wouldn’t make it and would have to be put down at the vet clinic,” Leesa shared with Love Meow.
Teddy was diagnosed with a severe and advanced case of Plasma Cell Pododermatitis, but his blood work indicated that he still had some fight left in him. Leesa decided to bring him home, along with a handful of medications to help him recover.
Leesa White shared, “Despite Teddy’s grim prognosis due to his severe condition, I decided to bring him home to ensure he could have some peace and comfort during what we thought would be his final days.” Teddy faced a difficult start at home, as he strongly resisted taking his numerous medications, showing remarkable strength for a cat in such poor health.
Leesa White shared that tears would well up in her eyes each time she struggled to give Teddy his medication. Despite the challenges, she found something in Teddy’s gaze that motivated her to continue fighting alongside him. After a week of following the medication regimen, Teddy showed significant improvement. He no longer resisted taking his meds and even started to appreciate affectionate gestures like pets and head scratches.
When Teddy came back to the veterinary clinic for a follow-up visit, the veterinarian was amazed at his progress and survival. The vet marveled at Teddy’s incredible resilience, noting that most street cats generally have a lifespan of about four years, yet Teddy had managed to thrive on the streets for an impressive 11 years.
A month later, Teddy had put on three pounds and was starting to show more of his personality. As he became more at ease in his temporary home, he ventured out from his hiding place and found the bed, where he found great joy.
Gradually, Teddy began joining his foster family on the bed for some affectionate pats, scratches, and maybe even a snuggle or two. They were taking things slowly, making sure to take small steps before attempting to introduce him to the rest of the house!
Leesa White shared, “After Teddy’s recovery, we attempted to encourage him to explore the rest of the house by leaving the foster room door ajar. However, he was quite anxious, so we didn’t want to overwhelm him. Stress can exacerbate his immune condition, so we were cautious about keeping the door open for too long.”
She continued, “It wasn’t until around April that we began leaving the door open more frequently. It wasn’t until mid-June that we noticed Teddy finally gaining the confidence to venture out of the foster room independently.”
Leesa smiled as she described the incredible transformation of the once sickly, skittish cat now known as Teddy. From a shy and nervous feline with sparse fur, Teddy has blossomed into a healthy, affectionate, and charming companion. His fur is now thick and soft, he’s developed a bit of a pudgy belly, and his purr is so loud it could drown out a jet engine. And to top it all off, Teddy has found his favorite spot to rest in the house – his very own special bed. Such a heartwarming story of growth and happiness for this once troubled cat.
Leesa White shared her hilarious discovery when she tried to crawl into bed – Teddy the dog not only stole her husband’s affection, but also her spot in the bed! “He adores me…and now he’s stolen my husband’s heart too.”
Leesa White is dedicated to supporting Teddy’s ongoing medical requirements. Understanding that changes in living environments can impact his immune disorder, they have chosen for Teddy to remain with the couple he has grown fond of, ensuring his well-being.
“I never thought he would make it to Christmas, but I am overjoyed to see him doing so well now. He is such a loving and precious dog, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to care for him.”
Check out Teddy’s escapades on Facebook! Don’t miss out on his adorable adventures – catch them all in this charming video.
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