I.

I am updating previous blog where I announced that the beloved little cat stray cat who adopted me, passed away while at the vet sometime between Monday and Tuesday of last week.

A short recap:

This little guy who we shall lovingly call Little Arnold Schwartz Katz fell ill within the last month; chances are he was attacked by the two orange boys, Sorbet and Sorbetto.(who came to his feeding station and ate his food.) Arnold got an eye infection, his routine changed, he was functioning but not at full speed. But he continued to eat, albeit not as regularly, and he also continued to groom himself.

I borrowed a trap and managed to entice him in, and got him to the vet, having called first and speaking to the vet on duty.

I told the receptionist he was ill and needed to be seen after she tole me he’d probably be seen the next day. I insisted he be seen. After having gotten him into the trap and not wanting to stress him–or me and my neighbor–any more, I left him there in good faith.

I was called the next morning and told he had died in the middle of the night. I didn’t know of all the details until after Thanksgiving when I noticed a phone message from the vet saying I owed more money. It was then I spoke to the vet whom I had spoken to initially.

A friend who rescues cats told me to call the HEAD vet and demand accountability. I almost didn’t, thinking it would be of no use. But then I decided to and he was not in.

Rather than call back, I spent hours drafting a letter–better in writing–and sent it off Saturday morning to the head vet of the practice. I also decided that a picture is worth a thousand words and made it into a journal.

This is what I sent:

___________ Animal Hospital
_____ Avenue
____________, NY 11040

November 26, 2010

RE: death of cat on premises

Att: _______, D.V.M.
Dear Dr. _________,

In early 2005, my three feral rescues, adopted through A.C.T. were neutered and vaccinated at the Garden City Park Animal Hospital. I am happy to report that they are doing well and are delightfully domesticated. As you can see they are adorable.

Mother, Caramel

sons, Ampersand and Play

Caramel and Ampersand

But another cat wasn’t so lucky; here’s the story.

About three years ago a little feral adopted me and my neighbors.
I named him Little Arnold Schwartz Katz. We fed him religiously; I built a feeding station and even a little heated little house, though he was loath to make it his own. I think he preferred to live under my deck.
On sunny mornings we’d find Arnold camped out on our porches waiting for breakfast; he’d usually sit on the welcome mat or on a chair.

We fed him religiously; I built a feeding station and even a little heated little house,

Little Arnold Schwartz Katz

Little Arnold visits Play and Ampersand

And as you can see, Little Arnold, too, was adorable.

Two summers ago I had Little Arnold trapped, taken to the ASPCA for neutering and vaccinated with a 4-in-one shot. He was returned to me and released.
About a month ago Arnold’s feeding station was usurped by two male cats. Shortly after, my neighbors noticed that Little Arnold’s eye was red. I began to worry when I saw Arnold’s routine was changing; he was not coming for his evening meal. I was horrified when I saw that his eye membrane had covered his beautiful lemon-yellow eye. The eye was tearing and Arnold was not coming to the porch as scheduled, and began to sit on other neighbors’ porches.

Little Arnold Schwartz Katz

Little Arnold Schwartz Katz

Arnold sitting on a blanket on the porch

Team “Arnold Rescue,” poised for action

S___ of A.C.T.(Animals Can’t Talk) told me the best place to bring him was to your hospital. All I could think about day and night was how to help my little friend, and as daunting as trapping an animal seemed to me, I knew I had to.

I called the hospital and spoke to C on Friday (11/19) and told her I would be coming in as soon as I could get a trap and catch Arnold. I wasn’t able to get the trap until Sunday.

Arnold ate some morsels and took a walk.

…at bottom of deck

I set the trap Monday morning, (11/22). I saw Arnold in the morning in my yard grooming himself. When I called him he came. He took a nibble of the enticements at the mouth of the trap and then backed out. He had been trapped before and was avoiding entry.

Even when Arnold was in the trap, and in the back seat
of the car, he was eating.

I called the animal hospital to alert the desk that I hoped to bring Arnold in A.S.A.P. Then I spoke to lovely Dr. J___ and explained the situation; that if I couldn’t get Arnold to the vet, he needed some kind of intervention such as an antibiotic I could put in his food. Dr. J___ agreed and I went back to watching the trap. Arnold was at the bottom of my deck in the sun. I was about to give up on the trap when…
Arnold must have been starving and he reconsidered the trap and eventually went all the way in. S____ called soon after to tell me the Rx was ready and I told him that Arnold had walked into the trap (I was ecstatic; now Arnold could get medical attention) and that I was going to bring him right in, and to please notify the doctor.

Arnold in the waiting room, the last time I saw him, Monday morning 11/22/10

Arnold in the waiting room.

Arnold in the waiting room.

I delivered Arnold Monday morning and I made a donation to HUG.(A humane group) I asked when the cat would be seen and I was told, “probably tomorrow.” I said that he needed to be seen sooner than that, to please try, that he was obviously ill. I left.

The following day I received a call from your office informing me that the cat had died “sometime during the night.” That a technician found him “curled up and unresponsive.” I was told that “the technician ‘blew’ on him and when he didn’t respond he realized the animal was dead.”

“I’m sorry,” said the voice on the phone.

I could barely speak. Or contain myself.

Little Arnold, from what I understand, was not seen nor taken from the trap. Remember, I had observed him walking, grooming, and eating before he was trapped and he was hungry and able to eat while in the trap, even in the car.

Today (Friday, 11/26) after some of the shock wore off, I decided to call the hospital and ask a few questions. I spoke to Dr, J____ who had no idea of what had transpired. She was in surgery when I had delivered Arnold on Monday and the last she had heard was that I was coming in for antibiotics. Dr. J___ sounded as shocked as I was that the cat had died.

Maybe it was just Arnold’s “time,” but I would truly like to know what happened.

I agreed to have the animal cremated and as of this afternoon the animal was still on the premises of the hospital, “frozen.” The receptionist said it was impossible to do an autopsy. I asked her if she had told Dr. J___ that the body was still in the animal hospital and she said “yes.” I thought it was imperative for Dr. J___ to know this as she seemed to be concerned enough to want to explore this further; she assumed that the animal must have already been disposed of; as it turns out he hadn’t been.)

The only consolation I have is that Little Arnold is safe and at peace. Selfishly, I no longer have to worry about him in the cold, or that he might have died under my deck.

But I can’t make peace with his not being seen or even moved to a cage.

Yes, he was “just” a cat, another stray, but he was a sweet little guy who made a lot of people happy. I am a blogger and people from all over the world follow his story, “The Tales of Little Arnold. ”
“Just” a cat?

A very “just” cat.

I hope you find it in your heart to explore what happened, and to adjust your office policies so this doesn’t happen again. I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Sans Souci

II.

The letter was in the mail last Saturday and Monday I found a message on the answering machine from the head vet who stated that this was the first he had heard of the incident (which is what the other vet said) and that he was very concerned to learn just as I was, what had happened. I was welcome to call him throughout the process and he was going to talk to the staff members who were on duty that day and follow up. He seemed as shocked as I was.

My feeling is that Arnold was neglected; he would have had a chance had someone seen him. I also feel he just gave up. It was all too much for the little guy. But that doesn’t excuse what happened. I’ll let you know more details in time.

The receptionist nonchalantly called this “miscommunication.”

I call it sloppy management.

I also call it unforgivable.

reply sousonne wrote on Nov 30, ’10 Bravo, my friend…..we owe the little guy some answers!

reply pestep55 wrote on Nov 30, ’10 I hope you’ve gotten answers on how an ill cat at the animal hospital was totally neglected, it may help another animal in the future.

reply lunarechoes wrote on Nov 30, ’10 Sue, this IS unforgivable. I always want to let companies know when they’ve screwed up, but I never want anyone to get fired. Trained, disciplined if necessary, but not fired. This time, though, at LEAST one firing is in order. The person who did not tell the vet is probably directly responsible for Arnold’s death. Dying cats usually don’t eat. No one who would fail to pass on that message has the right kind of heart or mind to work with animals.I am wondering, too, if the people who left him in his cage and “confirmed” his death by blowing on him are fit to be working with animals. How can anyone but a vet certify death? Was he even dead at that point, or could he have been unconscious? How could anyone be so, so cruel as to leave him in a cage?And the receptionist who called this horror a “miscommunication” doesn’t seem to be the right person for her job, either. I hope she is the one who didn’t tell the vet, so I can feel good about hoping she is fired, too. I am crying my eyes out here, and I can only imagine what you must be going through. I hope your letter and pictures are read and shown to the staff members, because they wouldn’t leave anyone unmoved, and several people need to feel some serious grief, guilt, and self-loathing over their cruel inaction. The only consolation I can see is that, because Arnold found you, his death may save the lives of other animals in the future, by bringing to light the kind of treatment animals receive there, unbeknownst to the vets. And wouldn’t it be better if he had lived through this and still made a difference? I am just beside myself to think some tech may have frozen a living cat. I started reading in the hope that Arnold was alive and well, but now, all there is to hope for is that he *did* die in the night. You are such a good soul, such a loving person, to have done so much for Arnold and to care enough to have written this letter. I hope it makes a difference for many animals in the future. I am sending you virtual hugs and tears of sympathy.

reply shoppingdreams wrote on Nov 30, ’10 I call it barbaric!!!!I’m so angry I can’t see straight. That they left him in the trap is unforgivable!!!!This is so moving. You brought Arnold alive, when those terrible people thought he was “just a stray,” as you said. Did you send it like this, with the pictures? I’d love to know how, it’s so powerful!!! I can’t say too much about the vet, because it angers me too much. I hope you get some answers, and that this never happens again. As for Arnold, he is your little angel, and I believe he is warm, safe, and happy now. Love you.

reply jadedruid wrote on Nov 30, ’10 I’m glad you stood up for Arnold even in his death. Maybe it will help future cats.

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Nov 30, ’10 Sniff…thanks Karen. I was hoping they had moved him to a cage but apparently HE WAS STILL IN THE TRAP! I wonder if there is a lot more to this, I wonder if other people have experienced anything so negligent. The fact that two vets had “not heard about it” makes me wonder what kind of office/tech staff is there. I never would have believed something like this was going to happen. I still feel so guilty for bringing him there but I felt I had no choice at that point. Thanks for the supportive wishes. It really helps.

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Nov 30, ’10 Hi Shopping, yes, I sent it like this with the photos. I wanted nothing left to the imagination, pictures are powerful and I wanted him to see I’ve taken in other animals and they are well taken care of, and little outside guy was not different. I wanted him to see how sweet he was. He was really special.I am glad he wasn’t in when I called–this was a better way to deal with it. He can see everything is documented and I wonder if mentioning the blogging helps too.This morning I had a weird nightmare about him, it really got to me.

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Nov 30, ’10 Right? I hope so Shar, I really do. It seems to me when a patient arrives, data are taken and it gets logged in, I mean something is wrong here, it’s like the staff took it upon themselves NOT to report this, I mean isn’t there an obligation? Who’s running the show?? I have to say the guy who owns the practice sounded very depressed!

reply shoppingdreams wrote on Nov 30, ’10 sanssouciblogs said Hi Shopping, yes, I sent it like this with the photos. I wanted nothing left to the imagination, pictures are powerful and I wanted him to see I’ve taken in other animals and they are well taken care of, and little outside guy was not different. I wanted him to see how sweet he was. He was really special. I am glad he wasn’t in when I called–this was a better way to deal with it. He can see everything is documented and I wonder if mentioning the blogging helps too. This morning I had a weird nightmare about him, it really got to me. I’m sorry to hear about your nightmare. 🙁 That happened to me when my Molly died — my black cat. It’s devastating. Sending you hugs and friendship, and take care of you.

reply nomadtraveller wrote on Dec 1, ’10 Very sad, but you’re right to follow this up, Sue. I hope something useful comes out of Arnold’s life and times.

reply jadedruid wrote on Dec 1, ’10, edited on Dec 1, ’10 The vets I know went into that occupaion because they love animals and want to help them. They are usually very kind gentle people. So my guess the vet feels as bad as you do. Now the vet has another problem. Besides guilt an animal died still in a trap and without getting any care, but also that the staff doesn’t care enough. Animals die, that is the unfortunate truth but when an animal is given over for care the staff has to be responsive. Animals can’t give a doctor symptoms. A vet needs his staff to monitor and watch for signs as well as follow up on treatment. The vet was betrayed also.

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Dec 1, ’10 EXACTLY, that’s what I think. When I went in Monday the feeling I go twas that there was not enough responsiveness to the people waiting at the reception desk, for a while I thought we were invisible.

reply jadedruid wrote on Dec 1, ’10 That is such a shame. There might be a different group of people there the next time you go.

reply gileson wrote on Dec 1, ’10 By no means do I want to trivialize your loss and your anger at what happened because he was “just” a cat, but there are human beings who suffer the same fate every day in the waiting rooms and treatment rooms at VA Hospitals all over the U.S. Some of the “Charity Hospitals” are even worse. It is not uncommon to wait 24 to 36 hours to be seen.It is a little disconcerting to realize the fellow sitting next to you whom you thought was asleep in fact has been dead for a day.Perhaps a good way to immortalize Arnold is to go out once or twice a week and bring a hot meal or some old blankets or clothing to a homeless shelter or to to a VA facility with no strings attached, or judgement as to why a person is in that situation. What happened to Arnold was unjust and proves what happens when the sick are left in the care of those who don’t care. It happened to Arnold and it happens every day to our Veterans and other homeless. If the price of one can of cat food per day was applied by every cat owner in America to a fund to help the sick and ailing who have been abandoned by society it would go a long way to erase the problem. If you are looking for material for your next novel, book or short stories, go visit a Veteran. He probably doesn’t want to talk about his war experiences, but with a little prompting he will talk to you about anything else he has experienced in 85 or 90 years. You can read the politically correct version of sanitized history in the books in school or you can go talk to somebody who lived it. Maybe if enough people would be willing to do this it could be called the “Arnold Project.” I am an Agnostic but I believe that at some point we well all have to sand up an be counted, some religious people say to “atone” for what we did or did not do on the planet. I am not versed in Biblical scripture, but I recall a phrase that seems to apply universally to the here and now and the hereafter. “Whatever it is that you do unto the least of these” you will be held accountable. More simply put, “What goes around comes around.” I suppose that could be things you did do as well as things you could have done but were “too busy” to do.

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Dec 1, ’10 Hi Tim, I know you aren’t intending to trivialize my story and I do agree with you about the points you made. I am in no way of comparing an animal to a human being, and there are sad issues going on for both. There are many injustices in the world and they run the gamut; perhaps the parallel is this: neglect kills. In some ways it is easier to relate to animal issues than people issues–I’ve opened my wallet to help both. When you look at a small defenseless creature who can’t verbalize and you see it in need, if it suits you, like it suited me, you try to help. Believe me in NYC there is plenty of homelessness due to all circumstances and I do not negate the need for help or intervention; I have given many people on the street and in subway trains a buck or more. If I see them smoking or drinking, however, forget it. I helped to support a mother and 6 kids in my school when she got booted off welfare, (see poem in book Tina, Tina)My story is a moment in time, my time. I was a caretaker and took responsibility for a little soul; we had a mutual connection. I tried to do the best I could and I feel I failed and it is lousy. I do believe what goes around comes around. I do believe that what happened to Arnold is symptomatic of the state of our society, just on a smaller scale. It’s all about neglect, being inured and desensitized to pain and suffering. But however you want to view it, I used this arena to air my aching heart.

reply sharons7th wrote on Dec 1, ’10 I’m sorry this has happened Sue. My love and support to you.

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Dec 1, ’10 Thank you, Sharon!!!

reply expressiveespressojo wrote on Dec 1, ’10 I think that receptionist is in the wrong job. She needs to work at a place that does not call for compassion.I am so sorry this happened. I understand you want answers/accountability. I would, too.As you stated so eloquently and poignantly, Arnold was more than “just a cat”. I so hate that word “just”, because it seems to minimize things. HUGS.

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Dec 1, ’10 Thanks for coming by Jo. What would I do without my dear friends here?

reply lunarechoes wrote on Dec 1, ’10 Sue, you didn’t fail. The staff at the vet’s did. How could you possibly have known that an animal hospital was an unsafe place to take a sick animal? The fact that it turned out to be just that is insane.If this isn’t resolved to your satisfaction, to the extent that it can be, I hope you’ll consider doing one more thing, which is telling the story to the people who referred you to this place. Right now, I’m in agreement that the vets were betrayed, but if they make the decision not to address this properly, they’re setting themselves–and their patients–up for more of the same. I hope, though, that you’ll get news of exactly how all this happened AND of satisfactory steps being taken.Is hoping for the receptionist and tech involved to be locked in small cages, gagged, with no food or water or bathroom facilities for a weekend and THEN fired too harsh? Because it’s so much nicer than the other thoughts I’ve had about them. The more I think about this, the sadder and madder I get. And you and Arnold have really been on my mind. How are you holding up? I know you’ll tell us when there’s any news from the vet, but how are YOU?

reply gileson wrote on Dec 1, ’10 Sue, You said “neglect kills” and you are so right. Neglect is the bastard child of indifference and apathy. That applies to society in general and to those whom we trust in a professional environment.You spoke of helping the unfortunate in NYC, and I know that is a part of your nature. You also said, “. If I see them smoking or drinking, however, forget it.” My attitude about that has changed over the years. I don’t withhold assistance to individuals because they smoke or drink. I did both excessively for awhile, but not at all in the last 40 years. Even after all that time though I can still vividly remember the pull and the feeling that lack of one or the other would not let me make it through the day. I remember the absolute panic of that feeling.I know some people who feel that way about that first cup of coffee of the day. I have often wondered if the addict who resorts to petty thievery or small crimes is not so much doing it for the drugs or alcohol but out of pure terror at not being able to live without the drugs. Many years ago I had a friend in Manhattan who went to the hot dog vendors and found that the majority of them were Veterans. He asked them if they would be willing to issue him vouchers good for so many hot dogs, which they did. He would then take the vouchers to the VA Hospital on Houston and hand them out one or two at a time to the guys who looked like they needed it the most. It was a “win-win” situation for everyone. More often than not, the hot dog vendor would end up taking one or more of these guys to a shelter where they could get a hot meal and warm place to sleep. Being “on the street” all day himself, he was pretty savvy as to where those facilities were available “no strings attached.” Some homeless veterans are that way because they have trouble living by the “rules.” It is a tradeoff for them. Sleeping on a steam vent and dumpster diving is freedom from having to go sit through several hours of preaching and singing to get fed and being told they can’t do this or can’t do that or they will get thrown out. Some animals, and some humans, were never meant to be “caged up” or contained. Sometimes our best intentions are honorable but we end up hurt when the detainee seems to resist our efforts to “help” him. Perhaps Arnold was just a free spirit, not meant to be domesticated or detained in any one place. He truly epitomizes the feeing I said in an earlier blog of “Live Free or Die.” As you said, “It’s all about neglect, being inured and desensitized to pain and suffering.” So don’t beat yourself up over this much longer. Remember what Bobby Kennedy said, “Some people see things as they are and ask why. I see things as they could be and ask “why not?”

reply semisweetsioux wrote on Dec 1, ’10 How heartbreaking to think of the little guy dying alone and scared in a cage . . . I am glad you are working on getting answers, just because drawing attention to the situation might change office policies or the behavior of the staff . . .((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Dec 1, ’10 Thanks Sue, I appreciate your kind words. If I don’t get a call tomorrow I am calling.

reply gileson wrote on Dec 2, ’10 expressiveespressojo said I think that receptionist is in the wrong job. She needs to work at a place that does not call for compassion. She would be perfect for the VA Medical System.

reply opossumd wrote on Dec 10, ’10 I hope you are getting over it slowly. Life goes on, and you should rejoyce in the happy memories of Arnold’s company, and how happier his life was after you took care of him. Our bodies die but the memories continue to give us solace.