His little gray paws thudded against the floor, sounding like a mini horse racing down the corridor, all four pounds of him. He skidded around the corner and careened off the wall – literally. Shaking his head slightly, he glanced up at me before launching himself into the air to tackle Luna, the resident cat who is nearly three times his weight. With his tiny paws clinging to Luna’s neck, it looked as if he was attempting to ride a mechanical bull.
Meet Whiskers, our COVID kitten. My kids aptly describe him as “a little wild.”
I never envisioned my home becoming a multi-cat environment. Luna has been with us for over two years, and while she’s beautiful, with her sleek black fur and striking green eyes, she embodies the essence of aloofness. She enjoys being nearby but rarely shows affection or engages in playful antics. After a few months of being cooped up at home during the pandemic, I found myself mulling over the kids’ desire for an additional feline friend. It was my daughter, Mia, who persistently asked for a kitten and insisted on having the naming rights. She even offered to cover the rescue fees and promised to take charge of the litter box. I knew that last part was probably a stretch. Mia is responsible but also 13, and terms like “always” and “forever” tend to be thrown around carelessly. Nevertheless, the other kids were on board, and soon we were searching online, discovering Whiskers through a local animal rescue.
The plan was for Whiskers to spend the first few weeks in Mia’s room, allowing a gradual introduction to Luna. Once we confirmed they could coexist peacefully, he’d have free range of the house. During those initial weeks, Whiskers exceeded our expectations with his playful and affectionate demeanor. He’d cuddle with anyone, often dozing off in our arms or on our laps. Hours were spent chasing shadows and pouncing on unsuspecting feet, while he leapt up three feet high to catch the elusive light from a laser pointer.
However, this was a 2020 cat, born during a pandemic, which meant things couldn’t be simple or straightforward. Whiskers remained as energetic as ever, resembling a toddler with endless energy until he crashed from exhaustion. But soon he began to have trouble using the litter box and instead started “leaking” all over the place. Mia’s room transformed from a playful haven into a hazardous zone, where we navigated carefully to avoid stepping in messes. Just as 2020 spiraled into chaos, our home life did too. I found myself perpetually cleaning up after Whiskers and giving him multiple baths each day. Despite his dislike for the process, he cooperated and often curled up in a towel for a cozy nap afterward. He was literally full of problems yet remained playful and affectionate.
In the first month, Whiskers racked up over $1,000 in vet bills. Mia and I made several trips to the clinic, waiting in the car (the new normal during COVID). After x-rays, blood tests, and an enema, the vet diagnosed him with a condition called mega-colon. As we chatted with the vet over the phone, Mia burst out laughing when she mispronounced it as “mega-co-lawn.” Initially confused, we soon caught on when she mentioned his small intestine was fine, which made the words rhyme. We laughed all the way home, trying to mispronounce other words in a similar fashion. It was a much-needed distraction from a discouraging diagnosis.
Essentially, mega-colon means that Whiskers’ colon expands as it fills up but lacks the ability to push anything out. The condition is rare, and the vet had never encountered it in a kitten before. Fortunately, once diagnosed, we could begin treatment – a costly special diet and medication every eight hours. Under normal circumstances, I might have hesitated. But these weren’t ordinary times, and this was no ordinary cat. Even the vet and technicians remarked on how special he was. He was gentle, playful, and forgiving, all while hiding his serious condition. The vet noted how fortunate he was to have found us, as any other family might have returned him to the rescue, leading to his inevitable euthanasia.
Now, several months later, we have the condition under control. Mia’s room has been repainted, steam-cleaned, and sanitized. Whiskers and Luna are cohabiting peacefully. I set alarms on my phone to remind me to feed Whiskers small meals throughout the day and administer his stool softener. At times, it seems absurd to go through all this for a cat not even six months old. Yet, it has brought structure to our chaotic lives – something we all needed during 2020.
Whiskers goes by many names. To Mia, he’s simply Whiskers, inspired by a silly YouTube video featuring an invisible space cat. To my husband, he’s “Whisk-Cat,” a nod to his pandemic origins. Sometimes, we affectionately refer to him as “Co-lon,” emphasizing the last syllable. For weeks, I cheekily called him “Messy Kitty.” Regardless of his name, he has brought joy and laughter to my children’s faces during these challenging times. He has offered Mia companionship amid isolation and uncertainty while delivering endless amusement with his antics. He often reminds me of the challenges of raising a toddler as I rescue him from the dishwasher and dryer, teaching him that ice is cold and the oven is hot. He distracts us from a world turned upside down, encouraging us to find humor and joy in curiosity, even amidst chaos.
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Summary:
In this heartfelt story, Jessica shares her experience of adopting a playful kitten named Whiskers during the pandemic, who unexpectedly developed a rare condition called mega-colon. Despite the challenges that arose, including costly vet visits and unconventional living arrangements, Whiskers brought joy and laughter to her family during a difficult time. His antics and affectionate nature became a source of comfort and distraction, helping them navigate the uncertainties of life in 2020.