Iris Gets Her Forever Home: A Story’s Happy Ending

Finally, the longed-for day has come. Iris, who had something very bad happen to her at 6mo., and who recovered with the help of good people and love from all over the world, has finally gone to her loving forever home.

Suszan Rogers

As Suszan states so beautifully, Iris has brought many hearts together to try to help one little cat who was terribly wronged, and to show her the best of humanity after she’d experienced the worst.  The young grey cat who has been the object of much interest in recent months has reached the point in her healing journey where she is finally ready for her story’s much deserved happy ending. She has finally left foster care and gone to live with her forever family.

Iris, looking great, lounging on the balcony at her foster home this spring.

Iris, the beautiful Russian Blue cat from our story Iris Recovers from the Unthinkable and a followup, was found alone and suffering on someone’s back doorstep in Pennsylvania earlier this year. She had been brutally violated with an unknown object. She was taken to Hillside SPCA, a wonderful, caring shelter in Pottsville PA, where she was provided with the best medical care and the warmth and healing power that comes from good and loving hearts.

When cat lover Joyce Yoho, far away in Michigan, saw an obscure news item on Iris her heart ached for the abused kitty and she was compelled to share her heartache and concern. Joyce reached out on Facebook, posting Iris’s ordeal three times before people took note. Passionate animal advocate Suszan Rogers recognized Joyce’s feelings of pain and powerlessness and helped shape what became an international movement to gather support and send love and prayers to the cruelly treated little girl, to give thanks to Hillside and Iris’ special advocate and public liason there, Sylvia Nabholz, and, spontaneously, to send donations for Iris’ care, and to present her with a special, comforting Milty blanket.

Among those who helped Iris are veterinarian Dr. Alyssia Deaven of Greys and Strays, who Sylvia says ministered to Iris with supreme compassion, and Iris’ foster mom.

After some residual issues with urinary leakage and minor UTI delayed Iris’ spay surgery and then her release to her forever home, as she visited a specialist and received treatment, the joyous occasion has finally come. Just this week, Iris has finally gone to live with her specially chosen, loving new family in her forever home.

Iris’ pet parents Lisa and Andy are well suited and well chosen by Hillside. They have extensive experience making loving homes for specially-abled pets, and they adopt those with special needs exclusively. The photo of Lisa and Iris at the top of the page really says all we need to know about whether this is a good match, we think.

Here are happy updates on Iris’ homecoming, one from her good friend and advocate, Sylvia, and one from Lisa, her new mom.

Sylvia: Iris is finally home!! Lisa and her husband Andy fell in love with Iris the instant they met. It took Iris all but a minute to snuggle up to them, and the union was formed. How very lucky Iris is to have found her forever home! This fabulous couple are softies when it comes to handicapped or needy cats. The more needy an animal, the more they want to help. They are determined to do what it takes to make Iris a happy, balanced cat. The trauma Iris endured at the hands of that depraved individual three months ago, left her scarred both physically and emotionally. Since Iris is so loving, affectionate and trusting, we believe her emotional scars are healing. Her physical problem will be an ongoing challenge, but she is now part of a family that will pamper and love her no matter what!

Lisa: Iris is getting comfortable in her new surroundings making them her own.  She has her own bedroom, that she retreats into when she feels scared, but she is roaming the house and discovering it.  I slept with her the past two nights and all she wanted to do was play, play,play.  She makes me feel like a kid again, laughing and rolling on the floor with her.  I took a couple of days off from work so Iris would not be alone in her new surroundings.  I wanted the transition for her to be a smooth one.  She still has some bladder leakage but we have hardwood floors that wipe up easy.  I noticed that when she gets excited, startled, or scared by an unfamiliar noise, she leaks.  Hopefully, as her muscles get stronger, the problem will resolve itself.

We are very happy to make this report and have waited for this good news along with Iris’ many supporters. All told, Iris’ journey from a little kitty who was hurt and alone, to the object of concern and well-wishes from across the miles, to happy and normal housecat with a loving family has taken about four months. We wish her and her family well.

Iris, earlier this year.

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Related links:

We’re happy to give a shout out to HandicappedPets.com of Nashua NH (Facebook page HandicappedPets.com) for providing Iris with diapers.

Hillside S.P.C.A. website

Hillside SPCA on Facebook

Paw Circles and Prayers Facebook Page . This is a page set up and maintained by Maria and Don Appleby to provide comfort and support to those dealing with illness, injury or grief. It is not about religion, all are welcome to give and receive good wishes and support.

Milty Blanket and Maike Fan Club on Facebook . The makers of Milty blankets and concerned friends and well-wishers frequently send the blankets to pets dealing with illnesses.

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Our previous stories on Iris:

Iris Recovers from the Unthinkable

Iris Update: Abused Kitten Inspires As She Continues Her Healing Journey

Karen Harrison Binette

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