Professor Noel Fitzpatrick

15/04/2024

“Two years ago, we decided we would get another cat. We saw Luna who was seven months and had lost an eye and was very nervous.

On the way home she was not at all well, so we took her to the vet. They said she was severely underweight and they feared she had suffered extensive abuse in her short life.

She was very scared of our other cats, and she was very nervous of people. I spoke to her all the time, and it took months before I could touch her. Every night I gave her a little treat and one night when eating it I gave her a stroke.

She must have been badly mistreated to be in the state of anxiety she was. Very slowly over a long time, Luna has got better. When my wife was having chemotherapy last year Luna would climb on her feet when she had a blanket over her. She has come a long way, but her trauma runs deep.

Luna never stops trying to be the best she can be, she has such courage.”

Keith, I am so sorry to hear that Luna has suffered so much in her short life, but glad to hear she has found a home where she can feel safe and loved. The capacity for humans to be so selfish and cruel will forever baffle me. But I find hope in the folks I know and meet who are kind and realise our animal friends deserve compassion. Keep going and thank you. N x

09/04/2024

“This is not your typical cat or dog but I thought I'd share it anyway!

I got Pip in January 2022 a few months after losing my previous hamster due to age. Pip was a dwarf hamster and had the softest coat of fur I've ever seen. He loved dried bananas and he would always hide behind his wheel when it was time to clean his cage.

I noticed in June that he had a lump growing near his groin. At first, I thought he was just becoming a man shall we say, but it kept growing and growing until I could see he was in pain and stopped eating.

I took him to the vet and they told us he had a cancerous tumour. It couldn't be removed due to his size but they decided to drain the excess fluid from it and put him on antibiotics which isn't the easiest thing to give a hamster.

After the course of antibiotics, we were told to bring him back for a check-up but unfortunately, the tumour had grown almost twice the size in a few days and he'd stopped eating and drinking, this is where we made the difficult decision to put him down. I didn't want him to be in pain. He may have only lived a few months but I will cherish the memories I had with him.

This proves that the smallest of animals can leave the biggest impacts in our lives”

Thank you for sharing your story Sophie. Although little Pip passed away, this story is so full of love and affection for a little life that is truly inspirational. The animals we share our lives with have the potential to give us endless joy during the time we have with them, and it isn’t limited to dogs and cats. I’d love to hear more stories of hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits and more! N x

09/04/2024

09/04/2024

“I rescued Smokey in 2009. It wasn't until I got him home, I noticed the scars on him, and that his leg would shake sometimes when sat down. The vet confirmed that the scars, and the leg shake (probable nerve damage) were more than likely from him being used as a bait dog.

Smokey had separation anxiety, hated being in the car, was scared of other dogs and wouldn't go to the bathroom outside of my parents' back garden, which made going on holiday with him a bit difficult.

With time, we managed to show him that not all people are bad. Cuddles were never in short supply, and we spoilt him all the time. In return, he came out of his shell.

He was incredibly affectionate, stubborn and bossy. He was an all-round good boy. He had his wild moments - like running in at top speed from outside and bouncing off the sofa like it was a crash mat. He made us laugh every day.

Smokey was also incredibly smart.

My mum is hard of hearing, and wears hearing aids. When she doesn't wear them, she can't hear a thing. Smokey somehow knew this and would take her to wherever he knew she needed to be to make the noise that was happening stop.

Smokey had a rocky beginning to his life, but we made sure the rest of his life was one filled with love.

Smokey sadly passed away in July 2022, and we all miss him something dreadful. Losing him inspired me to set up a project to help rescue centres get the things that they need in the run-up to Christmas, and to also volunteer dog walk for the local Dog Trust centre.”

Thank you for sharing your story, Lauren, it sounds like you both took so much from each other which enhanced both of your lives, and that legacy of love lives on through the kindness you continue to do in your voluntary work. Thank you. N x