It didn't look good when E.M. (who had taken Dorothy home) postponed the 3:00 rendezvous until 4:00, and then arrived late... but she did arrive, and so did S.F. (the new mom), and of course I was there, too, with a bag of Dorothy's favorite food (Merrick canned) and some toys and a crocheted dangly thing I made for her.
I really like S.F. -- she's a lovely woman about my age, and she has a two-year-old orange tabby male named Murray at home. Between the shelter and me, she's gotten all sorts of input on how to introduce them, and she also has a grown daughter who lives in Massachusetts who has been through that process herself.
When I had Dorothy here, she did not have a limp at all -- but she does now, and although X-rays show no injury to the bones, it's clear that something is wrong. It could be nerve damage from the injection of anesthetic when they tried to spay her (again), or maybe she was just hurt somehow while at the shelter. Either way, I feel terrible about it... I'm just hoping it's a sprain that will repair itself.
S.F. is going to take Dorothy to her own vet next week, though, and see what he has to say about it. But even if it's a permanent condition, that's okay with her, bless her heart... she loves Dorothy as she is.
S.F. called me a bit ago to say they'd gotten home fine, and as soon as she sat down on the sofa, Dorothy hopped right up into her lap. What a sweet kitty! After all she's been through over the past couple of months, to still be so trusting and friendly... she's really something special.
Murray, of course, will have the last word.
So... at last, Dorothy is in a calmer, more stable environment where she can settle down and feel like she belongs. S.F. knows she may try to go outside, since she's accustomed to that... so she's going to be extra careful about doors. And she's promised to stay in touch and let me know how things go!
I did tell her about TCS, and I hope she'll drop in on us sometime. Oh by the way -- Dorothy's new name is...
...wait for it...
Zsa Zsa!
So... I'm really going to miss The Kitty Formerly Known As Dorothy... I already do... but it's so good to know she's in a safe and loving home now, no longer in danger of falling through the cracks.
I thank you all so much for your very real help and moral support through this whole process! I