"Lucky_pics.htm"

Lucky Lightfoot's Tale
Scroll down this page for more of his story with pictures.
Click on each small image to see a larger version of the photo. (800x600)


Soon After Rescue From Animal Control
Although sick with upper respiratory infections when he first left the shelter, he had at least one good day before his eye problems started to became obvious.
Only shot of good eyes.
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But soon his health began to deteriorate.  His eyes started to run and his eyelids began to swell.  It became apparent he was having trouble seeing.  He could frequently be found huddled in a corner of the bathroom where he was quarantined.
His eyes got worse.
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The three older, healthier orange kittens provided him with companionship and comfort during the worst of his illness.
The orange kittens comforted him.
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One means of monitoring his vision was to see how far away he could spot kitten kibble against a contrasting background.
Finding kibble eye test.
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He spent much of his time resting.
Not a very active kitten.
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After the first few weeks of his illness, he maintained a healthy appetite.
His appetite never failed him.
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His eye problems became worse
In spite of frequent treatment and trips to various vets, his eyes continued to swell closed.
His eyes got worse.
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His inner eyelid eventually blocked his vision.
Eyes got even worse.
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He liked being outdoors.  Even though he couldn't see, he enjoyed the feel of the warm sun on his fur, and the strange and interesting odors floating by on the summer breezes.
Tiny Tabby in tree fork.
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When he was feeling better, he accompanied his orange buddies on an important clinic visit.  He thought he overheard someone say they were there to be "tutored!"  Alas, he was ruled not healthy enough to participate.  But he had fun playing on the waiting room floor with the entire staff.  (Who were supposed to be cleaning up and loading the truck.)
Waiting in truck at clinic.
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Although never healthy, he continued to survive and grow
While waiting for dinner to be served, he gave his buddy Abaco a friendly hug.  Abaco responded by throwing him on the floor, hissing, growling, and stalking away in a huff.  But he knew it was just Abaco's style.  The little guy didn't take it personally.
Dancing with Abaco.
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As he grew, his spots became more noticeable.  He never found anything more interesting than dust bunnies under the refrigerator, but he never stopped checking.
Crawling under fridge.
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His eye sight eventually improved enough that he was comfortable climbing up an easy tree.  It gave him a wonderful feeling of independence and natural prowess.  Birds gotta fly, and cats gotta climb.
Seeing his way to climb a tree.
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His vision became so much better, he could sometimes see large birds in flight!  He found them captivating.

He can see a bird fly over!
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When first called to come down from 'his' tree, he declined.  He was having much too fine a time to stop so soon.

Tongue out in tree.
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From his new lofty perspective, the neighbor's yappy little dog was more of a curiosity than a threat.

Watching the neighbor's dog.
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He developed an interest in technology
Later, he developed an interest in computers.  Here he is checking the operation of a cooling fan by trying to stick his nose and paw into the spinning blades.  (All accessable fans have safety grills to keep paws out.)
Checking computer fan.
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To be continued...

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