A TNR (trap, neuter, return) rescuer finally caught an opossum, a cute cat rather, that looked a whole lot like an opossum. And he certainly earned the name Possum. Because he evaded capture for almost five months even while needing help for a wounded leg. Poor Possum was probably a dumped pet with impaired vision due to a condition called strabismus, generally called cross-eyed.
“The people around here think he was dumped, and we all thought he was blind — turns out he’s just cross eyed and cute as all hell!” said the TNR rescuer from New Jersey.
At the time, rescuers suspected that Possum may also have a condition called entropion which irritates the eyes.
At first, the scruffy tomcat was scared, growled, and lashed out inside the TNR trap. But with lots of patience, he revealed he’s a big mush, and thus, the rescuer hoped he could be socialized for life as a pampered House Possum. With his impaired vision, she knew he wasn’t likely to make it outdoors for long.
The rescuer shared his transfurmation with lots of patience and TLC.
Lucky for this kitty, an expert foster family who regularly cares for vision-impaired or “pirate kittens” decided to enroll Possum in the foster ‘Playschool.’ There, he was fully appreciated for his unique character, “goofy little face, and sweet chirps.”
“He’s cute, but he’s a hot mess and I love him all the more for it,” said foster mom Jen.
At first, the kitty was overwhelmed, but with more patience, his new foster fam knew he’d do great. To get him used to being petted, foster mom Jen wore gloves, wrapped him gently in a blanket, which he loved, and talked to him gently. He became “more comfortable by the hour” and enjoyed all the love.
Before long, Possum was purring and nuzzling his foster mom. Then, she began lots of grooming, and a bath, which he desperately needed. He even sat on her lap for gentle hand-washing and lime sulfur dip for embedded crud (and in case of ringworm). When it was time to dry off, a new foster friend Danica amazingly came over to comfort him. They remained best buddies from then on, playing and watching Cat TV.
As Possum adjusted to pampered lapcat life, he slowly became more confident. Eventually, he was like a “happy, relaxed kitten,” playing and exploring. He had “solid loafing skillz” and loved to be held like a baby and held on his foster mom and dad’s lap.
“In the month that Possum has been here, I’ve fallen in love with his sweet disposition, gentle manner, and cute little face. (He bleps all the time!).”
This TNR cat was doing so well that he was almost ready for adoption, but then, things got even cuter.
“Possum is outrageously sweet, endearingly goofy, and unspeakably lovable. He’s going to be a hard one to let go. ”
Jen and Ian put him in a ridiculously cute onesie (surgery recovery suit) to keep him from scratching at a lesion on his side due to over-grooming. It was easier than wearing a cone, and he didn’t mind being an absurdly cute fashion meowdel.
“It has a hole around his tail to allow him to take care of business while also preventing him from licking his wound while it heals. It’s also ridiculously adorable! He’s such a good boy and is not bothered at all- by taking it on or off or wearing it. He is, without doubt, the bestest boy. I love him so much.”
It wasn’t long before the goofy lovebug found a furever home. Seeing how far he had come was a real high for his foster family.
“Fostering can be filled with the lowest of lows, but also the highest of highs. An absolute high is seeing an extraordinarily special cat find his way to the perfect forever family. Possum is a tremendous success story and journeys like his are what keep me going when I’m feeling down…Possum absolutely adores his new family. He snuggles with them at night, follows them around the house, and is an absolutely perfect Little Baby Possum
He seems to be quickly adjusting to the good life with all the amenities!
“Local cat running dangerously low on toy supplies. Dire conditions. More at 11.”
