February 22, 2019

Author: Melissa Sitzman

Part I

In 1999 I married my, now, ex husband and we bought a nice two bedroom condominium. It was on the top floor, had big vaulted ceilings and skylights and beautiful cream colored carpet. I worked as a veterinary assistant at a vet hospital that was just a few miles away. Despite being busy with work, I felt like something was missing from my life and decided I needed a pet!

I always had dogs while growing up but, didn’t think a condo would be ideal for one. So, I decided to go to the local animal shelter to look at cats. I had my heart set on adopting a black one because, they’re usually the last to be adopted.

There were so many cats there, I felt bad for the ones I passed by! They were all meowing and acting crazy, trying to get my attention. Then I came to a jet black cat with huge copper colored eyes. He didn’t make a sound and sat in a very “prim and proper” manner. I knew right then, he was the one!

I went and told the shelter staff which one I wanted to see, and was met with a sigh. The lady told me that I couldn’t adopt that one because he was scheduled to be euthanized the next day. She explained that he had an upper respiratory infection and had been sick for awhile. I was really upset! They were going to put him down over a respiratory infection!? Telling me that just made me want him more.

I demanded to talk to a supervisor and explained that I worked at a veterinary hospital. I told them I wanted to adopt him, despite him being sick! I knew he could get better after just a few days on antibiotics. After the supervisor realized that I worked at one of the veterinary hospitals that did spays and neuters for them, she agreed to let me take him home. However, it was under the condition that I had to return him, if he wasn’t better in one week. I agreed.

I filled out all the paperwork and took him home. I named him Gonzo because my sister in law had a cat named Fozzie. He recovered from his upper respiratory infection within three days so, I got to keep him! The veterinarian I worked for, thought he was about 9 months old and so, Gonzo’s antics began…..