Fur In The Paint

Blindy McBlind is one of my barn cats. (yeah, I know. How politically correct am I?) He is only recently blinded and still learning how to cope. (And no I’m not psychic. Before this he was simply referred to as Young Gingy)

Blindy is a 3 year old ginger tom cat who was perfectly fine up until this Spring when he disappeared for a few months (as toms are want to do.) Sometime in early October he showed up one day walking oddly It was on closer inspection that I could see that his eyes were milky and odd looking. And that’s when I realized he was blind.

Artist Rendering of Blindy (because the artist kept forgetting to take her camera home)

And no Blindy does not wear dark glasses. But I bet he totally would if he realized how awesome he looks with them on.

My first instinct was to neuter him and bring him into the gallery. Mike was all “NO!”

So okay, if I really wanted too, an argument would have ensued. But I never really “wanted” to. I mean he has lived outside his whole life, and at 3 (going on 4) he may still spray despite the neutering. Not to mention a blind cat in the gallery. A gallery full of glass and breakables and sharp edges. Yeah, I don’t think so.

So then my next thought was to help him cope. Mike’s like, “You don’t really expect him to live through winter do you?” And I’m all indignant like “I don’t know but I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt.” while mentally adding “so bite me.”

What this has meant is taking extra time calling to him so he can navigate to me at meal times. Recently he has gotten really good at this. Early on every time he would step into a twig (or a stiff piece of grass) he would alter his direction by 90 degrees. So one or two twigs later he may be halfway across the yard in the opposite direction. I’d call and call and sometimes I’d just have to go over and pick him up and carry him into the barn and plunk him down in the middle of a pile off food. He’s gotten so good now he is almost always at my feet by the time I’m done putting out the food. (Sometimes he’s even purring.)

I had thought about drawing some mice pointing and laughing at Blindy, but I figured I was already pushing my luck (politically correctness-wise) but publicly admitting I called him Blindy McBlind.

This morning I was watching him thinking maybe he has some partial sight restoration because he is so vastly improved in directionals and walking confidence. He then promptly walked into a wall. But I called out and he then came right to me.

I also put down a bowl of water next to him while he’s eating. I splash a little so he hears it. He has yet to drink so he must be getting water somewhere. Year round the only constant water source is the horse water tank (which is heated in winter.) However he would have to jump up to get a drink and Blindy has become quite terrestrial. I can’t picture him jumping up into the unknown, so I still put the water bowl down every day, anyway.

I told Mike I was doing this and he’s all “You can’t do that all winter.” all I say (slightly huffy) “I’m gonna do what I can.” And besides why the heck can’t I?

Okay, so Mike is not usually so negative a guy. (Actually he’s quite positive usually) But we have a dozen barn cats and he’s a little tired of me bringing them in the house and nursing them every time one of them gets a sniffle. But seriously, when he met me I was a vet tech. Even after all these years, it’s like he doesn’t know me at all.

So here’s my question. Does anyone have a blind cat? Particularly a blind barn cat? And if so is there any tips or pointers you can offer for making his life a little easier? At the moment he seems to be doing well. He is fat and has a good coat coming on for winter. His confidence is building so he is far less timid than he was. But I want to give him all the possibilities for a healthy happy life.

UPDATED: So when Mike seen me working on this post, I told him I was asking for tips for taking care of Blindy. He said “Find him a good home. (pause) And of course that doesn’t mean this one.” See what I have to deal with all of the time.

So I say “You know, I’ve been blogging about what you’ve been saying about Blindy.”

And he’s all thoughtful for a moment and then says (with a whole lot less snark) “Well really, the best thing for him would be to find him a new home.”

And I’m thinking “Sure Buddy, you’re trying to look like the humanitarian (catatarian?) now that you know the public eye is upon you. Too late my friend, too freaking late!” Because I know all along what he’s really thinking is “Are we really gonna have to feed this blind cat who is incapable of hunting mice for the next 10 years.”

And my answer. “Yes. Yes we are.”

Tags: cats

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