I have heard many visitor hoomans ask what happened to my leg. Because of this, I have decided to tell everyone my story…..the story of Bettie.
I have only vague memories of my mother, my sisters and brothers.
Everyone was gone from my life so quickly. One day we were all huddled together. Loud voices came from somewhere and we all scattered. I never saw my family again. I was alone — unclaimed and unloved. No hoomans missed me. No hoomans sought me out. No one worried or wondered about me. No one asked where I was. Why was I there? What was my purpose?
Some weeks passed. I am not sure how many. The seasons changed and some nights were very cold. One time these mysterious white flakes covered the streets, parking lots and cars.
I was the cat of no one and I lived in a town called Parksley. I had four legs back then. I stayed mostly behind this building where a lot of hoomans with cars came and went. I would lay there and snooze in the sun most days. I did not answer to anyone and I ruled the streets. There were other cats in my gang that came and went but I pretty much kept to myself. I was alone each day as I stalked the streets in search of food.
Often, there was this kind lady named Betty who would drop by to give many of us food. There were a lot of us around but she would make sure I was fed. Apparently, Miss Betty had many cats of her own as well. She talked to me as if I understood her. She was sweet and soft spoken. You could tell she was definitely a cat person and I can always spot a cat person. Although, sometimes I do mess with hoomans who are strictly dog lovers….but that is a story for another time.
One day I was snoozing in the sun and decided to go for a walk about town. I did not make it far from my home and was in the street when a car driving past clipped me. The hooman in the car was probably in a hurry and did not see me quick enough to slow down. A hooman ran out of the building I lived behind and picked me up. I was not about to fight him because I was not feeling at all well. They say I have nine lives but I used one up that day. The hooman took me to the place where I now live. The bearded hooman they call THE DOCTOR greeted me. This was my first encounter ever with him. He did not have the beard back then and his fur was a lot less grey. Nevertheless, he was the doctor so he had to poke and prod me of course! That part of him has never changed. I felt real bad so I allowed it. He gave me the news, or rather gave someone else the news and I overheard it (you know that hooman NEVER talks directly to me). I had multiple fractures in my left hind leg and a dislocated hip joint. I was going to require a lot of care to recover. This was not a good day for sure.
They did something called a FHO. It sounds like a food, right? You are going to have to Google that one for sure. Just let me say, it is surgery and you all know my feelings on that!
After surgery, I did not feel well at all. I continued to be in pain. I could not walk. I was not getting better. The doctor said he needed to take my leg. This is where the harvesting of my body parts all began! However, I felt so bad that I could not fight him on this. Although, I really was not looking forward to another surgery.
I did well after this surgery and was recovering when the doctor decided I was staying there. I had a home! The worker hoomans all decided to give me the name, Bettie, after the kind lady who fed me for all of that time. Miss Betty often came to visit me during my recovery and, to this very day, still comes to see me.
I am Bettie. I am no longer alone and a cat of no one. I have been claimed and shown love. Many hoomans miss me when I do not make an appearance. So many people worry and wonder about me. Everyone asks where I am. I know why I am here and what my purpose is. I was meant to be adored by all and to manage Greenbush Veterinary Clinic. These worker hoomans here and that doctor need all the help they can get!
