Nine lives, sixth sense: Cat at veterinary clinic seeks out ailing cats

[Kadie]

Nine lives, sixth sense: Cat at veterinary clinic seeks out ailing cats
By Diana Samuels

Daily News Staff Writer

Posted: 08/18/2010 08:04:38 PM PDT
Updated: 08/19/2010 04:47:45 PM PDT

All cats may have nine lives, but Christopher, an orange and white tabby who lives at a Redwood City veterinary clinic, also has a sixth sense.

Dubbing him a "guardian angel," "wonder cat" and "miracle kitty," the staff and volunteers at the Nine Lives Foundation's Feline Well-Care Clinic say Christopher can tell when other cats need help. He will sit outside the cages of sick felines until someone lets him in, and last month, the clinic says, he saved the life of a kitten in need of a blood transfusion.

"It's weird, it's really true that he seems to understand things," said Monica Thompson, Nine Lives' chief veterinarian and founder. "He knows when he can help. He alerts us when things aren't right about a cat."

Christopher, who is about 3 or 4 years old, was found on the side of a road by a group of bicyclists in March. He arrived at the clinic unable to stand, his pelvis fractured.

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http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_15821656?source=most_emai...

[superduperfarleft]

1. Yeah, cats are awesome. n/t

[catzies]

2. ...just in time for Caturday!

What a sweet and touching story.

[Liberal_in_LA]

3. awwww. A ginger

[Donnachaidh]

4. bet he's a reiki kitty

cats are very sensitive to illness.

[Merlot]

12. A reikitty!

[ceile]

5. Amazing!

What a wonderful story.

[Vincardog]

6. Orange cats rule

[woodsprite]

7. Mine would lay on my lap, purr and knead my belly (without claws)

when I was pregnant with our daughter. It was like Cashmere would 'push back' at our daughter when she became active in utero. She was always the best kitty around the kids. The other one would whack the heck out of anyone but my husband.

[elleng]

8. He even became known as the "feral

kitten tamer" last month, when he asked to be let into a cage with two feral kittens that were "untouchable, just hissing and growling," Thompson said.

Christopher taught the kittens all about being a cat, and within a couple of weeks they were tame. One has since been adopted, and the other is still available.

"The kittens were so excited to see (Christopher) that when he left the cage they would sit and cry," Thompson said.


But Christopher's biggest claim to fame is likely saving the life of a tiny black kitten that came to the clinic July 11 with severe anemia. She needed a blood transfusion immediately, and Thompson couldn't draw enough to even determine her blood type.

"I didn't know what I was going to do," Thompson said.

Christopher kept jumping up on the operating table, rubbing on Thompson and nuzzling the kitten. So Thompson grabbed Christopher and used his blood for the transfusion.

Thompson didn't know it at the time, but the kitten had an uncommon "B" blood type found in about 20 to 25 percent of the cat population. It's also a blood type usually found in purebred cats, Thompson said, so she wouldn't have expected to find it in the black shorthaired kitten.

As it turned out, Christopher also has Type B blood. The kitten was standing up within about four hours of the transfusion, Thompson said, and has since gone back to Humanimal Connection, the rescue foundation that was caring for her.

[elleng]

9. Cross-post this at 'Pets,' please!

[Kadie]

10. Sure.

I will do it right now.

[elleng]

13. Thanks, Kadie. SUCH a story!

[Kadie]

15. He is an amazing kitty.

[calimary]

11. Love it, Love it, Love it, Love it, LOVE IT!!!!!

Thanks for posting! This is a GREAT story!

[Kadie]

14. Glad you enjoyed it.

I think we needed a good story today.

[calimary]

25. We have four cats at our house and one dog - all rescues.

We speak fluent cat around here. And some dog. I LOVE a good cat story!

[femrap]

16. I love

animals....people, not so much.

[Uncle Joe]

17. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Kadie.

[kiva]

18. Great, a happy Friday story. n/t

[Ruby the Liberal]

19. Awesome story! K&R

[area51]

20. I love it.

He's like a "Dr. Kitty".

[KittyWampus]

21. Remember the cat who lives at a hospice and knows when people are going to die?

[Joe Chi Minh]

22. You mean Oscar, the one who was sitting on the desk of the beaming

legal big-shot, as seen on someone's posts, here on DU!

[david13]

23. Wonderful story here. Hey Joe, post a link about Oscar, if you will. dc

[Kadie]

24. Here is some info on Oscar.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/world/doctor-casts-n...

[david13]

26. Can Oscar predict the future or does he just chew on the cord and

unplug it?
dc

[Joe Chi Minh]

31. LOL. You have a diseased mind, David! Sorry I'm late for the link.

A DUer photo-shopped a photo of Bush's legal bigwig sitting at his desk, with Oscar sitting on it!

[david13]

32. No Bullwinkle. I just think like a cat. dc

[applegrove]

27. What a happy lookin' fella.

[Withywindle]

28. I've lived with both dogs and cats in my life

and I have NEVER lived with an animal of either type who didn't pick up on when his/her humans were sick or sad. In my experience, they will always come and lick you or lay their heads on you and curl up next to you.

It has never failed to make me feel just a little bit better.

[BrklynLiberal]

29. Absoutely amazing, and yet not the least bit surprising. Our furry friends never cease to amaze and

astonish us with their goodness and incredible "talents".

[Alameda]

30. Great story, thanks I really needed some good news.