One Small Cat Makes a Big Difference

Animals can make a big difference in people’s lives. In honor of the 65th annual La Grange Pet Parade this weekend, I’d like to share a story about a special pet.

Sir Oliver Twist Kapugi, better known as Ollie, joined our family in December 2002 at the age of 12 weeks. We had recently lost our cat McMahon because of old age. A little kitten jumping all over our Christmas presents was a lot of fun for our entire family. Ollie fit right in, but he never listened to us and exhibited strange traits. He loved the vacuum, he always had to sleep with his body touching something and he would sit and stare at a spot on the wall for hour upon hour. We would laugh at him and say, “It’s a good thing you’re cute.”

Months later we went on a family vacation and my dad was kind enough to check in on Ollie. When we returned from vacation my dad said,  “That cat is deaf.” As is turns out my dad was correct. Suddenly all the weird traits made sense. He makes up for his lost sense with his other senses. Touch and sight were the two that he used the most.

Ollie was the hit of the neighborhood; he would go to the bus stop with us every morning and be passed around like a hot potato. Everyone wanted to hold Ollie and he loved all the attention. That’s when I decided to take him for testing to become a pet therapist. The organization, Pets Uplifting People, is in Florida, which is where we lived at the time. The testing was rather extensive—they subjected Ollie to various smells, sounds and movements. It all took place in a nursing home that included using canes, walkers and wheelchairs around Ollie to see his reaction. Ollie passed with flying colors and was on his way to becoming a registered pet therapist with P.U.P.

Once he was in the system, we found a nursing home close to the house and started our monthly visits. Ollie would visit people in their rooms or go to a group session. One day he participated in parachute play where all the seniors sat in their wheelchairs in a circle holding onto a parachute. The object was to try and keep the beach ball on the parachute. Ollie was passed from lap to lap and never flinched with parachute play going on. Every holiday I would put silly costumes on Ollie, much to the delight of the residents at the nursing home. Yes, Ollie tolerated hats and costumes. I told you he was a special cat.

One of my most memorable visits occurred on our second visit. When we walked in, the coordinator pulled me aside and told me, “Mrs. B. is very close to death and delusional most moments, but she has her lucid moments when she asks to see her cat. When you go in with Ollie please let her think he’s her cat.” I agreed and we went about our routine.

When we entered Mrs. B’s room, she immediately grabbed Ollie from me, held him like a baby and pet him. Normally, you are supposed to sit and keep hold of the pet; but in this instance I felt like an intruder, so I stood by the side of the bed and just watched what was unfolding. Mrs. B lovingly stroked Ollie’s fur while holding him in her arms and kept reassuring him over and over with these words, “I didn’t leave you. They took me from you.”

I still get goose bumps every time I recall this moment. It was so genuine and beautiful—just a dying woman and a cat there to comfort her. Ollie stayed in her arms for 10 minutes, purring the entire time. It was time for us to continue with our visits so I informed Mrs. B, “We’ll be back soon for another visit.” I scooped Ollie from her arms and started to the next room, the whole time with tears in my eyes. The rest of our visit was a blur to me because all I could think about was Mrs. B. and what that visit meant to her.

In between visits I wondered about Mrs. B. and how she was doing. When I arrived the next month, it didn’t take long to find out. The coordinator informed me, “Mrs. B died four hours after holding Ollie. All she wanted to do was say goodbye to her cat before she died. Ollie truly made a difference in her life. He gave her peace. He is an angel in fur.”

There I stood, cat carrier in hand with tears streaming down my face. I was sad and relieved all at the same time. Somehow I made it through that visit but it was a tough one for me. Ollie was just Ollie that day, going from room to room enjoying every pet he received.

The family of Mrs. B sent thanks to Ollie for helping her die in peace. I learned so much from this experience, one being the power of the love of an animal. One little 6-pound cat made a huge difference in a stranger’s life. I also learned that despite being deaf, Ollie was leading a wonderful life and didn’t even realize he was "different."  

Ollie will be turning 9 in August, and currently is not doing pet therapy here in Illinois. If I found the right organization, I would love to get him back into it. He has made a few appearances at some of the local preschools doing a presentation on being a "working" cat even with a disability. It’s a lot of fun and the kids love it. When I take out the small hand-held vacuum and start vacuuming him the room usually erupts in screeches and laughter. If your preschool is interested in Ollie coming for a visit, just send me an email at LKpatch@aol.com.

This weekend, as you watch the Pet Parade and see children with dogs, cats, rabbits, gerbils, and other various pets, remember what an impact a pet can have on children and adults alike. He will probably join me while watching the parade as he has done in the past. People looked at him in amazement while the fire trucks go by blaring their horns not realizing he’s deaf. Two years ago I had a hard time getting him to leave after the parade because he was smitten with a basset hound.

If you see us at the Pet Parade, come by and say hello. Ollie is always ready for some attention!