Meet Teddy! This lovable boy was rescued by the staff of our North Country Initiative location in upstate New York.
Teddy was abandoned in an apartment when the tenants moved out. Not only was he deserted, he wasn’t neutered nor, apparently, examined for much else. We diagnosed Teddy with a bad combination of congenital heart defects for which there is no surgical option – fixing one defect would make the other worse. He will require medications and frequent check-ups for the rest of his life. You know what else he’ll have? YOU and all of his Sponsors to make sure he has the best life possible. Thank you!
July 2021
Teddy is happy and doing well, reports mom, Larene. A recent visit to the cardiologist found that Teddy’s heart defects remain stable with the medication he takes twice a day. Teddy has adjusted well to the changes over the past year including his dad working from home; the loss of his feline sibling, Bear; and the addition of two new kittens. “Teddy makes our home peaceful,” says Larene. “We love him so much! Thank you for sponsoring him. He is one of a kind.”
March 2021
Teddy’s latest visit with his cardiologist revealed much better images of his heart, giving him a better prognosis than originally thought. His heart hasn’t gotten worse and the doctor feels that Teddy could have more years with Larene and her family than he previously considered. What absolutely wonderful news! “I’d like to think that all the love he gets has helped him,” said Larene. “We have our routine with his daily medications and he knows that every night at 9 p.m. he gets a treat. If I’m late he lets me know.” Teddy’s family had a very challenging 2020. “I had no idea how much I would need Teddy this year,” exclaimed Larene. “When we lost Bear Cat, Teddy comforted me like never before. He knew I was so sad and he was sad too. Bear was his best friend.” The couple decided to get a kitten from our no-kill Adirondack Region Cat Adoption Center so he could have a friend again. Actually, they fell in love with two kittens and that’s how Murphy and Clementine came into Teddy’s life. Teddy is happy and plays with them and chases them around the house. Larene and Jeff are so thankful that as a Sponsor Pet, Teddy can be a part of their family.
November 2020
Teddy has been a very bright spot in the life of his parents during these past few months. Sadly, they suddenly and unexpectedly lost their cat, Bear, in the spring. Teddy was so sad too. He even snuggled with his parents as if to comfort them. But Teddy was also lonely without a pet sibling. Back when he was at our Adirondack Region Cat Adoption Center he helped frightened kittens feel more secure. So Larene and Jeff went there to get Teddy a friend and brought home two kittens! These three cats have made his parents smile even more, watching them all play together. It was a bit of an adjustment for Teddy when Jeff started working from home. He kept looking at him for a while like he was saying “Go to work!” His mom was home for two months and she was glad to have the extra time with Teddy. Teddy’s parents really love Animal League America and the support they get from his Sponsors.
July 2020
When Teddy, and his buddy Bear, first came to live with Larene and Jeff he seemed skittish and distrustful to them. “Today we are happy that Teddy loves, trusts, and enjoys our family,” said Larene. “He spends his days lounging on his cat tree, laying in the window watching birds, and sleeping on his blanket. Teddy’s parents have noticed that he has some funny quirks. In the morning, he follows Larene into the kitchen and grabs her legs as she goes past him! He also has totally taken over the sofa as his own personal bed. They recently took Teddy to his cardiologist who was so pleased to see how happy he is now. His medication is currently in pill form only and the doctor increased the dosage. He explained that as Teddy has grown his heart has changed — one problem has improved and another problem has worsened. Teddy will take his pills in pill pockets, but they have to watch him because sometimes he eats the pocket and then spits out the pill! Unfortunately, he has had episodes of gasping and his parents help him work through them by rubbing his back, as they were instructed to do. They are grateful for the support of his Sponsors. “Teddy will be loved for the rest of his life,” affirmed Larene. “Both Teddy and Pooh Bear fill our lives with happiness and joy.”
Marc 2020
Teddy loves his new life with his best feline friend Bear, his mom Larene, and his dad Jeff. Their parents enjoy watching the cats play. Teddy is stronger and usually wins any contests. Bear keeps him young and on his toes. He has two cat trees and loves to sleep with his blanket on top of the lower one; he also likes to take over the love seat! Larene says that he’s very good about taking his daily heart medicine in the evening—she has to rub it in his ear, but he knows he will get a treat afterward. Bear sits right there with him to get a treat too. The morning routine includes getting back and chin scratches and then following Larene into the kitchen. “Then he reaches up and grabs my pajamas in a teasing way and I know that I see him smile,” she laughs. The entire family loves both Teddy and Bear—they’ve brought sunshine to their home. They are honored to give Teddy a loving, kind home where he knows he’s safe and they’re appreciative of all the support from North Shore Animal League America.
November 2019
A kind and loving couple came into our Adirondack Adoption Center and fell in love with Teddy and, believe it or not, with one of Teddy’s kitten buddies, Poo Bear, also. They adopted them both! “We are so excited that the Martindales have opened up their hearts to give Teddy the best possible life even though it may be shorter,” said Deborah Oligny, North Country Initiative Director. Teddy’s cardiology report warns that his life expectancy will be limited, but he’ll have a loving home and companionship, both human and feline, for the rest of his days.
July 2019
Teddy found his vocation in life while he’s waiting for his human family. He assists the staff at our Adirondack Adoption Center location with socializing feral and semi-feral kittens. He provides them with love and comfort and teaches them that humans are okay. This nurturing helps get the kittens adopted. He’s already taken six kittens under his wing, so to speak, this year. It’s interesting that he has taken on this role because Teddy himself was shy when he was first rescued from an apartment where he’d been abandoned. There are still some times when Teddy does prefer to be alone, but usually it isn’t for long. His heart condition is stable. The dosage of his medication is the same, but now it can be compounded by a pharmacist locally. This allows staff to apply a dose of medicine to his skin and it’s absorbed directly and this is less stressful for Teddy. He’s already looking forward to the next rambunctious kittens that come his way.