Seven months after their 20-year-old cat Squeek died, Amy and Marc decided to adopt two black kittens. “Black cats have the lowest adoption rate and the highest euthanasia rate so there was no question we were getting black kittens!” says Amy. Just two months old at the time of their adoption in August 2012, Juba, a male, and Nova, a female, are from different litters and have radically different personalities. Nova is willowy and agile and can turn anything into a toy. Juba is contemplative in nature, a quiet observer of his surroundings.
Nova spent the first eight weeks of her life receiving good care in a shelter, where her pregnant mother had delivered kittens after being surrendered. Juba was rescued by a construction worker at a worksite. The man believed one of his colleagues was beating Juba, who had suffered a broken tail. The ragamuffin kitten with amber eyes and fur that resembles dreadlocks bears the emotional scars of that time.
Amy and Marc were in for a number of surprises following the adoption. Over the next four months, both cats suffered from coccidia and giardia, two common intestinal diseases. It is likely that Juba has herpes; both kittens had conjunctivitis. At one point Nova started making periodic choking sounds and jutting her head forward as though trying to vomit. The diagnosis was an upper respiratory infection but her condition worsened despite treatment. A polyp in the ear was suspected but the only way to know for certain was exploratory surgery, which was avoided after X-rays revealed she had pneumonia. The couple has pet insurance but all of their claims have been denied.
Determined to see the young felines through this crisis, Amy read everything she could regarding cat care. Juba and Nova are fed high quality food and given daily supplements. Finally, in December, both kittens received a clean bill of health. For Amy, a performance artist and storyteller, the experience left her wiser. A recent performance was centered on the theme of home. While developing her part, she contemplated the meaning of caring for sick animals, developing trust, and creating a safe, nurturing environment.
The cats may always have emotional issues. Juba has food anxiety and is obsessive about getting enough, no doubt due to hunger he experienced as a stray. He is aloof while Nova has separation anxiety. Despite the challenges, the family has bonded. One of Amy’s favorite sights is when Juba and Nova sit facing each other and groom one another’s faces, first on one side, then the other. “They look like a black heart,” she says. A perfect symbol for all the love it took to create this family.
Nova spent the first eight weeks of her life receiving good care in a shelter, where her pregnant mother had delivered kittens after being surrendered. Juba was rescued by a construction worker at a worksite. The man believed one of his colleagues was beating Juba, who had suffered a broken tail. The ragamuffin kitten with amber eyes and fur that resembles dreadlocks bears the emotional scars of that time.
Amy and Marc were in for a number of surprises following the adoption. Over the next four months, both cats suffered from coccidia and giardia, two common intestinal diseases. It is likely that Juba has herpes; both kittens had conjunctivitis. At one point Nova started making periodic choking sounds and jutting her head forward as though trying to vomit. The diagnosis was an upper respiratory infection but her condition worsened despite treatment. A polyp in the ear was suspected but the only way to know for certain was exploratory surgery, which was avoided after X-rays revealed she had pneumonia. The couple has pet insurance but all of their claims have been denied.
Determined to see the young felines through this crisis, Amy read everything she could regarding cat care. Juba and Nova are fed high quality food and given daily supplements. Finally, in December, both kittens received a clean bill of health. For Amy, a performance artist and storyteller, the experience left her wiser. A recent performance was centered on the theme of home. While developing her part, she contemplated the meaning of caring for sick animals, developing trust, and creating a safe, nurturing environment.
The cats may always have emotional issues. Juba has food anxiety and is obsessive about getting enough, no doubt due to hunger he experienced as a stray. He is aloof while Nova has separation anxiety. Despite the challenges, the family has bonded. One of Amy’s favorite sights is when Juba and Nova sit facing each other and groom one another’s faces, first on one side, then the other. “They look like a black heart,” she says. A perfect symbol for all the love it took to create this family.
by Elizabeth Sundstrom
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