Today is International Cat Day. Here are some photos of our beloved Gregi from Kotor, Montenegro, plus some others taken by his vet. I wrote about the weeks we spent with Gregi between November and February. In late February, while we were in California visiting Kenric’s Mom who had been admitted to the hospital, we learned about a vet in Podgorica that does excellent work for cats with FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus). A Kotor Kitties Admin strongly recommended this vet, but also cautioned against being too hopeful. We arranged to have Gregi sent to Podgorica, the capital city of Montenegro, the following morning.
Gregi’s territory. Maritime Museum Square.
When I sat down in front of the Maritime Museum to massage Gregi, this was my view. Gregi closed his eyes.
When Montenegro relaxed its border controls in early May, the founder of Kotor Kitties (April) who had been trapped, and trapping cats, in Montenegro for months started making arrangements to fly home to Seattle, Washington. April offered to transport Gregi to the US if we could find a cat rescue that accepts FIV+ cats.
I wrote to a cat rescue near Seattle, asking if they would take Gregi on. I invited them to read Gregi’s story which was shared on Kotor Kitties’ page. To my utter surprise, one of their Board Members replied and said yes. This lady, Mary, whom Kenric and I refer to as Lady Mary (Downton Abbey) wrote that she would be very honored to have Gregi. She assured me that she’s been fostering FIV+ cats since 1996, and that she’s a licensed veterinary technician. She’s retired, but she keeps her credentials current.
This was one of his no-so-good days, but he always managed to be nice to us. Poor boy.
Kenric and I were so happy for Gregi; I cried for a long time. I messaged Gregi’s Godmother and Danijela. They both seemed cautiously happy. Gregi’s doctor, however, advised against putting him on a flight. Due to the pandemic, and due to Europe not admitting any US passport holders, the journey would be extra long and convoluted. Such stress on Gregi would almost definitely give him a flare-up. Lady Mary was disappointed. Danijela and Gregi’s Godmother were really relieved. I know it was the right decision. Alas, Gregi didn’t get to be an international cat.
We’ve been told he’s not a very cooperative patient, and that he’s an eating machine. Oh, Gregi.
He hangs out with other cats now. I have never seen him play in the square as other cats were afraid of him. This photo makes me so happy. He is no longer on the verge of death and alone.
After multiple cancellations and rebooking, perhaps even purchasing an entirely new ticket, April finally got home this past Friday. She brought with her a puppy she saved from the roadside. Little Dzek (Jack) has been delivered to his forever family, and is playing happily with his “brother”. I am so happy for him.
Gregi is doing well most days. He is definitely much better than when he had full-blown stomatitis while living in the Museum Square in Kotor Old Town. He’s on antibiotics. He’s allowed to go outside, and he decides when he wants to return to the clinic in the evening. Dr. Marija loves him, and she deeply cares about animals. Gregi eats A LOT, and has grown quite a bit. Sometimes, Kenric and I wonder if the money we send is enough to pay for his food.
I love Gregi. I dream of putting a bow tie on him and make him off-the-dapper-chart. We have in our luggage toys and treats that we bought for him from California. I planned to get him grilled chicken from one of our favorite restaurants before visiting him at the clinic. Our plan was to return to Montenegro in May, but Montenegro specifically excluded people from the US and a few other countries when it reopened its borders.
Taken after the day after he was neutered. Isn’t he so dapper? He needs a bow tie. He was so dirty when we found him, I had to give him a bath.
However, as much as I love Gregi, I would rather he was never born, so that he didn’t suffer as horribly as he did for years, and doesn’t continue to suffer for the rest of his life. There is no cure for FIV.
I invite you to read about Gregi and about why Kenric and I have become such believers of spay and neuter programs for homeless animals . Who knows, you may be compelled to adopt Gregi just like Lady Mary was. It’s International Cat Day today.
This photo makes me happy. In Kotor Old Town, it was cobblestone everywhere. So, this is probably the first place Gregi walked on grass.
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