Dragster

by Laura Heineck

My name is Laura Heineck. I have lived in Naples, Florida for the past 30 years. My husband and I are animal lovers. We have a Pet Sitting business, Home Alone, which I have been running for 11 years. We have several rescues and show them as well. We are actively involved in showing our Maine Coon Cats which I also breed. Ron, my husband, and I have traveled all over the world to shows. We have been to such states as California, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and both Carolina's. Every where we travel our Dragster follows. You will learn of the experiences of owning and caring for a paralyzed feline. He depends on us for everything. So sit back and enjoy.

On an evening just like any other, my husband and I were settling down for the evening. The cats were fed, the dog was walked and then all of the sudden, in the blink of an eye, our lives were about to take a drastic change. An individual will go through life with a daily routine, not realizing the sacrifices one will make for, none other, than an animal. Our lives did just that. We had to learn to conform our ordinary life to caring for a feisty feline named Dragster.

Let's go back 9 years ago to the night that I was sent and blessed with an angel. Ron and I have been animal lovers for many decades, by rescuing all animals from their unhealthy living conditions. Trying to ensure that their "9" lives were the happiest. Dragster came into our lives during his period of need, which was one of his darkest hours.

My brother, Dan, was traveling down a very busy Naples road. He approached his destination at Pippins, a restaurant, when he happened to park his vehicle in the right spot. As he exited the truck he noticed, lying in a ditch, a little orphan kitten that was covered in filth and cold. He immediately, with no hesitation, scooped up the little tyke to get a better glimpse of him. The kitten seemed feisty and very agitated.

His next step is what changed our lives. Soon after his encounter with the little yelping orphan, my brother brought him over to my residence. "Hello", as I answered the door. Dan was standing there with, in one hand, the kitten. I, at first, was glad to see that he brought the kitten to me in his time of abandonment, although I was unsure of his extent of injuries at that time. The animal seemed too feisty to try and tame. He constantly snarled and growled, and at such a tiny size. What was to come in the future, I thought to myself. I waited until morning and off to the vet we went.

I arrived at the clinic first thing in the morning. We discovered, after a thorough examination, that his back had been broken from severe impact. "He would be able to control his head and front two legs", the vet said. When my husband and I heard this heartbreaking news we were unsure of our next move. This kitten was so angry and disgruntled that we did not think that we could handle his medical condition.

The doctor informed us that he was not in any pain from this tragic occurrence and that kitty could lead a somewhat of a normal feline world with the help of caring individuals. "This little guy will take dedication and hard work", the vet exclaimed.

"You will have to learn to express his bladder and move his bowels. He was permanently paralyzed. He would not be able to use the litter box or walk on all four legs. We had to stop and think about whether or not we were going to be able to handle the feisty feline. Ron begged us to give it a try.

Well if you have not figured it out it is nine years later and Dragster is the king of our household. Stay tuned to the next edition to hear some little stories of his exciting life. My life, because of Dragster, has never been the same. Our love for the feline race has only intensified since we accepted this challenge.