On April 20, 2010 I was taking my cat Little Guy to the vet for his booster shot.  In the clinic there is a sign that says dogs should be on a leash.  There were 2 small dogs milling around in the lobby area that were not on a leash.  One ran over to the door as I approached.  The owner saw him and made no move to restrain him.  In order to keep the dog from exiting the building, I put my cat carrier down low and tried to open the door while preventing him from going out. 

The next thing I knew the door hit the carrier which was held together with snap type closures, and it completely fell apart.  It was lying in the partially open doorway.  I kept working to keep Little Guy from going outside.  It was a frantic scene.  Finally, he ran into the lobby and jumped up on the counter while hissing at the dogs.  I didn't care what he was doing at that point, just that he was in the building.  I pulled the collapsed carrier into the lobby and went and grabbed my cat. 

Everyone in the lobby--the other client, the vet tech, and Dr. Brandon were all just about in shock from the event.  We all thought Little Guy would run out the door and never be seen again or hit by a car on the adjacent highway.  No one could figure out what kept Little Guy from escaping the open door. 

I pondered this as I got him set up in the exam room.  I told my Dr. Brandon and her staff that  I couldn't help wondering if our Guardian Angel stood in front of the door and kept Little Guy from going out.  I believe that was very possible.  Whatever it was, I thank God every day for it. 

Little Guy is a very special cat.  As a kitten a few year's ago, he showed up at my house limping.  The next day he came by still limping so I caught him and took him to my vet.  Much to everyone's surprise he had a broken front leg.  It was completely snapped in two.  He had to wear a splint for several weeks.  That was a challenging time.  Little Guy didn't like wearing the splint at all.  Nearly every day he removed the outside bandage and I had to have it rewrapped.

I have always thought that Little Guy was likely injured through some form of abuse by the neighbors across the alley at the time--either by the adults or children.  He could have been hit by a car, but he had no other injuries.  The neighbors let their cats breed at will and never got them fixed.  When they came in my yard and ate my food I got them neutered or spayed.  I knew the situation would soon spiral out of control if I didn't.

At the time Little Guy got his splint, he tested positive for Feline Leukemia.  That was very  disappointing.  But in a few weeks his body was able to clear the virus out of his system and he was free of it.  That was remarkable.  Finally, he got his splint off and by the next day was walking normally.  Since that time he has done very well.

Little Guy April 2010