It can be difficult to understand a cat’s emotions at any given time, but when Elka’s rescuer put a collar on the elderly, ill cat for the first time, there was no need for interpretation.
Elka was ecstatic.
The estimated 18-year-old cat had a difficult life prior to being saved. Elka’s previous owner had declawed her at some time, and when they decided they no longer wanted her, they left her with a group of feral cats.
Elka’s life, however, began for Brenda Wilkinson, the founder of Hands of Mercy Cat Sanctuary, the evening she was saved. Locals first spotted Elka, who was then captured and brought into their home where she was given food and water. They then requested assistance from Wilkinson at Hands of Mercy.
Elka was clearly struggling when Wilkinson first saw her; in fact, the seasoned rescuer did not think Elka would survive for very long.
Later tests would show that Elka’s organs had already begun to deteriorate.
Wilkinson told The Dodo, “I genuinely felt like it was going to be a short time together.” Therefore, I [did] all within my power to make her feel cherished.
Wilkinson adopted Elka’s preferred method of receiving affection. She wanted to be petted, according to Wilkinson. She would paw at my arm while sitting on the stand next to my chair until I gave her attention.
But Wilkinson never anticipated that Elka would have her very own collar as one of her love languages.
Wilkinson stated, “I was collaring some of the other cats. She was seeing me put them on the others, so I quickly put one on her without giving it any thought.
But something shifted as soon as Wilkinson fastened the vivid orange collar around Elka’s neck. Wilkinson remarked, “I could feel everything inside of her leap with excitement. “Like, ‘Oh my God, someone loves me. I have a home again.’”
Six months have passed since Elka’s happiest chapter began, and her new mother is doing everything she can to prevent organ loss and lessen some of Elka’s symptoms. She’s doing fantastic, according to Wilkinson. She is tenacious and won’t accept no for an answer.
For the remainder of her days, Elka will remain by Wilkinson’s side at the cat refuge. She will receive endless cuddles and kisses from her new mother and the rest of the Hands of Mercy crew there while she receives lifelong medical care while donning her gorgeous orange collar.
And because, as Wilkinson put it, “she’s home,” she won’t ever have to experience what it’s like to not wear a collar again.
To help Elka and other cats get the care they need, make a donation to Hands of Mercy Cat Sanctuary.
Leave a Reply