Sandie's remarkable story (a.k.a worlds most expensive cat)

One day Sandie appeared with what looked like his brother, Mason at the barn/school where we board our horses. They were so sweet and friendly that I immediately said if they could stay as barn cats I would feed and take care of them. They loved the barn life, because life at this barn isn't like it is at most. This barn is part of a very small private school, focusing on moderate/high i.q. children who need a smaller specialized learning environment. Horseback riding is part of the physical education program and there are children around everyday. These cats even get to sit in the classroom during the day; some on childrens' laps and some just in the window. Pretty much wherever they want to sleep or hangout, they can. Sandie would follow us around like a dog wherever we went; out to the pasture to get the horses on trail rides, etc.

Then one day, the dreaded phone call came. Sandie had been sleeping under a bush hogger when it was started up. They rushed him to my vet and the diagnosis was not good at first. The vet on call thought he should be put to sleep, my vet said he would most likely need his leg amputated. But, one more time he did the little pinch test on Sandie's toes and lo and behold there was feeling, and that was our first glimmer of hope.

My vet thought that with the proper care, several not cheap surgeries and months of rest Sandie would be o.k. to live the rest of his days as an indoor cat. Then the decision was placed on us, could we afford to pay for all of the surgeries? It was heart wrenching, but then we decided, how could we not?

After the initial surgery on his front and back leg, it left him looking like what we called "Frankenkitty". He was wired, pinned, stapled and stitched on both his front and rear right legs.

After living in a crate for 8 weeks to limit movement, he was moved to my master bathroom for still some less limited movement for 6 weeks. This was his final surgery 7 months later to remove some pins.I don't think he will ever get through airport security, but he is A-OK with that. He never wants to leave the confines of our house again! I thought Sandie would walk with a limp forever, but 4 years later you would never know what this poor angel has been through. And he was worth every penny!