Well, I rescued another cat. My last five rescues have all been kittens, of which I adopted four, bringing me to my current SIX cats, which is the maximum allowed under Albuquerque's animal control ordinances. I've trapped and neutered almost all of the feral cats who hang around my yard, so I don't expect any more kittens this spring.

But, there are a couple of wily old toms I haven't been able to trap. One of them is a big, jowly, scarred-up Siamese we named Walter Wong. He's been around the whole time I've lived in this house, 2 1/2 years now. He can walk into a trap, eat the bait (sardines), and leave without tripping the mechanism. I've seen him do it. He turned around and pissed on the trap on his way out. Utter disdain, the kind that only felines can exhibit.

However, Walter isn't really a feral cat. The real ferals won't let you get anywhere near them. This guy is someone's abandoned pet. I'd frankly like to wring the neck of anyone who abandons any pet in the street, but that's another story. Anyhow, he has at least a minimal trust of humans, and we'd gotten him to come closer and closer over the last year or so, until we could eventually pet him and even pick him up on occasion. He's been very sick lately - pneumonia, eyes crusted shut with gunk, etc... We figured it was now or never, he might not live much longer. Pauline managed to catch him and stuff him in a carrier. He was so ill he didn't even put up a fight.

I have him in a big "cat condo" cage in the studio right behind me now. I have to keep him quarantined from the rest of my healthy cats until he gets over his infection and I can get him tested for feline leukemia and FIV (cat version of HIV - very nasty). I'm pumping him full of industrial-strength antibiotics, vitamin C, mineral supplements, and top-quality food. He's responding well - breathing easier, he can open his eyes, and he's getting very talkative - typical Siamese. He makes a ton of weird, un-catlike noises. His teeth are in rough shape. They'll probably have to pull a bunch of them when they put him under to neuter him.

The best part is I probably won't have to pay for any of this. I do quite a bit of volunteer work for a local animal welfare/adoption group called New Mexico Animal Friends. If his FeLV/FIV tests come up negative, we'll place him in our adoption system and they'll pay for his neuter and veterinary care. I can't OWN more than 6 cats, but I can FOSTER as many as I want - nice loophole in the law.

He's my first adult rescue, and a very sick kitty who will require a lot of time and TLC on my part. He's extremely sweet and friendly. It absolutely, literally, makes me CRY and TEAR my HAIR OUT that anyone would abuse, neglect, or abandon a beautiful, quality cat like this one. I just don't know what the HELL is wrong with people sometimes! He has the loveliest blue eyes. I'll put some pictures of him up eventually, when he's healthy, fat, and fluffy again.

Wish me (and Walter) luck! I'll keep you updated. Save lives. Get your pets spayed and neutered. If you have cats, keep them indoors.