I'll note here that Melissa submitted this photo in November of 2007 and it has taken me this long to update the June Bi-Color Photo Album.

I recently adopted a cat from our local Humane Society about a week and a half ago. I only at first went in to the Humane Society to volunteer but couldn't help going back and having a look at the animals. I noticed my cat because he was an adult and he was already neutered. He was a stray that had been found in a neighboring town. He was about 2-3 years old. He had shorter hair. He was perfect! I just couldn't leave him there!
I told my husband that I liked him and he agreed that we could adopt him.

We took him home and we e-mailed a picture of him to my mother in law and she said he looked like a mouse so we should call him Mouse and we all instantly agreed! Everything seemed to be GREAT!

But... Later on that night Mouse got sick and vomited three times and we thought maybe it was just the shock from being moved into a new home and new food and everything but we were a little concerned. The next day he ate and played but then at night vomited again two times. We were very worried! The following day he went to the vets. The vet took his temperature and it was 104 degrees! The vet also tested him for feline AIDS and Leukemia and tested a stool sample all which were negative! (I was so relieved but still concerned!) The vet told me he probably had a viral infection or possibly an upper respiratory infection. He said that if was probably due to being in the shelter. I also told the vet about a small bump I had noticed on his tail that I couldn't get a good look at to see what it was.

The vet took one good look at it and said that it was a BB from a BB gun! I just could not believe it! I felt so bad for my little Mouse! I felt so glad that I had him now and that he would be pampered and loved!

Since coming home from the vets its been about a week and he has had his ups and downs but thankfully he is getting better. I feel like I Really saved this little guy's life in more ways then one! He has so much energy and so much love! He loves sleeping with my husband and I and likes to lay on our heads! I just don't want to think where he would be right now if I had not gone in to the Humane Society to VOLUNTEER! I am so happy to have our new addition to the family!
© Melissa Haslam.

Mouse's photo will also appear in the June 2008 Bi-Color Cats Picture Gallery. I was taken by his unusual color pattern, and Melissa's wonderful adoption story.