Probably hit by a car, a young cat lay near a West Side road for most of the day. He was noticed as a child headed to school one morning and then again on the way home that afternoon. It was then that Fauna’s Grooming was called because she was nearby and she is known to take in strays.
The little cat was collected and assessed to find that he had a broken leg. Having lain too long to rescue the leg, amputation was necessary, earning him the name of Hobbles. He recuperated at the ranch and did not take long to worm his way into their hearts. Though he only had 3 legs, Hobbles loved to hunt, with some success.
He stayed with the family for 2 years until they heard of an adoptive situation where a lady took in special needs animals. Hobbles was certainly special. This was a great opportunity so they sent him to a shelter in the lower mainland and thought of nothing more than the satisfaction of a successful placement.
Well, more was to come. Only a few days later the girls were called by shelter workers who reported that Hobbles had turned into an angry and aggressive cat. He could not be adopted out with this attitude! If he did not settle down, he might have to be put to sleep! After a quick discussion, the girls decided that Hobbles should come back to the ranch so Karla and Rosie drove down to retrieve this cat. He was sitting forlornly in a crate, snarling at people. While the worker went to get elbow length leather gloves to be able to handle Hobbles, Karla went to the cage, opened it up and was surprised when Hobbles leapt into her arms, shaking with relief. He knew he was safe again so he placidly, thankfully sat on Rosie’s lap all the way back to Quesnel.
Happy to be home again, he rapidly became a character member of the clan and an amusing topic of conversation. Hobbles prowled the yard, on the hunt again, and could be found lying on a log beam with 3 paws dangling, inching towards the humming birds that were swarming the feeders. Eventually, as wandering cats sometimes do, one day he never came home but he Hobbles remains firmly in their hearts.
Article by Liz-Anne Eyford and was first published in the Quesnel Cariboo Observer.