Odette Domestic Short Hair & Tuxedo Mix Grand Rapids, MI

I thought I would let 3-year-old Odette's rescuer and foster mom tell her tale, as she was triumphant in getting her off the sordid streets in a neighborhood on the NW side of Grand Rapids mid-May 2023.
"After Sandi and I nabbed her, she took her home and placed her in a large cage we felt as we felt she was more of a scaredy cat than a feral one. She didn't especially want either of us to pet her at first, and would let us know with a little hiss, but would sit in the open while Sandi changed her dishes and scooped litter. When I took her to my house and got her set up in in my basement, she would hide at first, but when I got out the treats and toys, she started to realize I meant no harm and enjoy herself; she loved watching all the critters go by outside. I really started to win her over when I found a stick toy with a feather that I could wave in front of her, as it was then that she decided I might be OK for a human. She started to let me pet her more at that point too. At first, when she engaged in play, she had to be in the open cubby of her cat tree where she felt safest, but over time she became a very brave girl, jumping down on the floor and coming over to me for some mutual amusement. She would show off by batting her toys around on the floor, fully entertaining me with her antics. She Loves to play! Her bad foot doesn't stop her from running around, and she uses it as a brace at times, but I think it must have gotten sore after a while because she would hop to the top of her cat tree and rest it over the edge. She also would follow me around the basement and to see what type of treats I had to offer her. I think under that tough-gal exterior she's a diamond in the rough (Dr. Jen pointed out that her name means 'little wealthy one' or 'fortunate'), and little by little, is learning to trust people. She started to relax as I tempted her with crunchies, and this proved to be the way to her heart; just talking softly to her allowed her to go at her own pace. She's come a such a long way since we rescued her, and I'm really hoping the company of other cats and cat-whisperers will help bring her out of her shell."
Well, Sue did a remarkable job with her, and finally on July 6th, I was ready to finish her stray work-up at Feline Wellness Center. She had previously been treated successfully for Giardia, her lab work was great, and she only needed some minor dental work (the extraction of her upper incisors) before I sent her on out to Crash's. We are going to follow Sue's lead and let her adjust to her new surroundings and acclimate on her own timetable, which is fine, as we have no restrictions.

Now let me get into her left foreleg injury, which occurred quite some time ago, most likely after she was spayed through one of the local TNR efforts. At first her rescuers were shocked at how she hobbled around, thinking that she had recently sustained some sort of trauma that caused her significant lameness and limb distortion, but upon closer examination a smooth, somewhat calloused surface to her backwards bending carpus (wrist) proved that this injury was old. In fact, she and I are both unable to straighten the leg out of its permanently flexed position; the fractures that occurred at her carpal joint caused the bones to undergo arthrodesis, which is fusion and stabilization of the involved bones. Typically, this type of procedure is surgical, but I have seen many cases over the years where severe damage (like being hit by a car) resulted in this fixation. In Odette's case, the limb doesn't need to be amputated, as she has learned to live and function with it, but she does have significant arthritis in her elbow joint, which is still flexible, so she will be on a supplement to soothe and support it. Honestly, things could have turned out so much worse for our spunky little lady. She has proven just how resilient and fortunate she truly is--and we are so proud of her! In the few short weeks, she has been with us at Crash's, she has developed some intense feline friendships, consistently delights us with her athletic prowess and playfulness as she comes into her own. Here is a recent update:

"Odette has settled in here MUCH better than any of us expected. She still hisses a little when approached but has never once tried to bite or swat at anyone. I think she's gotten used to seeing me (Robin) every day and is allowing me to pick her up and carry her around a little. Baby steps! She prefers to hang out with another shy cat for companionship and would do best in a home with a quiet buddy. It's amazing to see how she has adapted to having a deformed foot - she can still make biscuits, and jump, climb, and scamper around like everyone else--and play, play, play! She may take a little longer trusting people but give her some time and she will be ready for very own family.

"Odette is a real sweetheart. She is rather shy at first, a hand coming at her head can make her nervous, but once you spend a little time with her, you'll see the real Odette. She is spunky, energetic, silly, and very playful. Her special leg doesn't slow her down or seem to bother her at all, it only makes her more endearing. I think she would do best in a calm environment, she seems most active when the shelter is quiet. She gets along fine with the other cats and might enjoy having a friend. She is also a HUGE bird lover, if I'm looking for her I (Lila) check the windows first!"

I think I named her aptly this spring, as her name literally means 'wealth', and she certainly has come into a wealth of good fortune since Sue scooped her up off the streets!