Mark Caudill: Celebrating 5 years with Katy the cat

When Kimba died, I never planned to get another pet.

Kimba was a mess when I adopted him from the alley by the News Journal. The 9-year-old feral cat looked like an animal that had spent his whole life trying to survive on the streets.

I adopted him mainly because I thought he was going to die.

We had 4½ years together before I had Kimba put to sleep in November 2016. During that time, he went from not allowing me to pet him for the first two months to a complete cuddle bug.

Then Katy came into my life. I adopted her on Sept. 10, 2018, so we are celebrating her five-year anniversary.

I actually reported on her case, when she was tortured with a firecracker in July 2018. She was only 1 year old at the time and was lucky to survive. Thanks to our friends at Phillips Animal Hospital for pulling her through.

If an animal story comes up, I'm usually the reporter who writes it. I love all animals. They have my heart.

Katy's story went viral. I looked forward to writing about the person/people who would eventually adopt her.

I didn't know that would be me. Missy Houghton, then the director of the Humane Society of Richland County, told me if I would take Katy, she would not consider anyone else.

While I was flattered, I never planned on having another pet. It took me roughly six months to get over losing Kimba.

First cat's ongoing health issues led to many bills

Kimba was a money pit. His health problems continued and ultimately shortened his life. I had gone through a heart attack almost two years before I adopted Kimba, so I knew about medical bills.

Even though Katy is fairly healthy overall, she has also proven to be a very expensive pet. She is on four kinds of daily medication, and her special food costs $70 for an 8-pound bag.

Katy has an especially sensitive tummy. I'm not sure if it's because of what happened to her, but that couldn't have helped.

About two years ago, I switched Katy to her current food, which almost immediately solved her vomiting issues.

Since April 2022, however, she has struggled with loose stool. Fortunately, Katy never goes outside the litter box, but it's still a pain to clean after her. We simply live with it.

I've thought about trying a brand of food called Smalls that I see on social media, but it would cost more than $1,000 a year. I thought the food, if successful, would offset the medication payments. If any readers have had success with Smalls, please let me know.

Just once, I wish I could give Katy some Purina Cat Chow and call it a day. Cats are supposed to be low-maintenance pets.

Katy the cat content with quiet life

But Katy gives back in many other ways. She is content with our oh-so-quiet life in Ashland. I spend too much time alone, but Katy provides ample company.

Every morning, she gets a case of the "zoomies" when she knows it's time to eat. She loves to have me chase her at that time. In terms of showing pure joy about suppertime, Katy rivals Snoopy.

We both love to take naps. Katy normally sleeps at the foot of my bed, on an article of my clothing. The last couple of weeks, she has been kneading on me. Also known as "making biscuits," it's a motion a kitten uses to stimulate its mother's milk.

Kneading is supposed to be a sign of contentment. I've been pleasantly surprised by the development because Katy shows and accepts affection only on her terms.

She does have an unnerving habit of staring at me, which is supposed to mean "I love you" in cat speak. I know Katy is happy, which makes me happy.

Without her, I'd have more money but a lot less love. I've actually had Katy longer than I owned Kimba, which is kind of hard to believe.

Happy anniversary, my friend. We will celebrate with a catnip ball.

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

X (formerly Twitter): @MarkCau32059251

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: News Journal reporter celebrates 5 years with rescue cat