Before I moved to the Huntington area I lived in the Beckley area for several years.  At my apartment in Beckley, I wasn't allowed any pets.  Where I live now, I'm able to have one.

Several months ago I went to a local animal shelter in Huntington.  I saw several cats and dogs.  Many of them were after my attention.  The dogs were barking and the cats were meowing up a storm.  I realized they were probably saying "pick me, pick me!"  I love animals and wished I could've brought all of them home.  At the time, I wasn't sure if I wanted to adopt a cat or a dog.  Through my life, I've been more of a dog person.  As I walked through the shelter, this big, white and yellow Tom Cat caught my eye.  He had been there for a few weeks and was about to be put down in a couple days.  He was about two to three years old the animal shelter told me.  They also told me there's not a big market for older cats or dogs for that matter.  Most people either want a kitten or a puppy to adopt.

After playing with this big, white and yellow Tom Cat, I just had to take him home.  I adopted him and named him Nigel.

The fee was fifty dollars and that was for his first set of shots and for him to be neutered.  He was not neutered yet.  A couple weeks later I had the routine procedure done.

The surgery went well.  He had some stitches and the Veterinarian said make sure he gets a lot of rest and he doesn't jump up and down or pick him up.  All went well, or it seemed to be. 

Before the surgery Nigel was very playful, had a lot of energy and ate a lot!  Afterwords, he was just the opposite.  He slept a lot and lost weight from not eating.  I took him back to the Vet.  The Doctor told me it's normal, he'll come back around and to give it a couple more weeks.

The two weeks came and went.  As of this past Tuesday morning when I left for work he wasn't acting right.  He could barely walk or meow.  I thought to myself, when I'm off later today I'm going to take him back to the Vet.

It was Tuesday evening when I finally got home.  The first thing I did was go find him.  Nigel was in his favorite place.  He loved to sit and look outside my back sliding glass window.  It was there I found him dead.

According to the vet, he most likely died from an infection from his surgery that went to his Kidneys.  He also told me it's not easy on an older animal to get "fixed".  The reason I'm sharing this story is to let all of you know, getting your pets spayed or neutered is still extremely important.  The key is, according to most Veterinarians, get it done before they turn six months old. 

I like to think I saved Nigel from being stuck in that cramped cage and gave him some peace at the end.  I'll miss him!