Time to Tell You About Benji

Posted on June 7, 2024 by

53 Comments

First of all, he’s as sweet as ever and adjusting to his new normal. It’s been a rough road the past couple weeks and I’m finally ready to tell you the story.

“Is it okay with you, Benji?”

“Sure, Sue. Just no bad pictures of me, please.”

“Of course, Benji. I’m always respectful and know the boundaries.”

A couple weeks ago, Benji was late coming home. After repeated calling, I went to bed, a bit worried and listening for his cry. I finally heard it and let him in, and as he crossed the threshold, I knew something was wrong. Bob looked closer and thought he had a broken leg. We took him immediately to the local emergency pet hospital.

After triage, the attending vet gave us the news: it was a bad break and the only remedy was amputation. Since Benji was otherwise healthy, they thought he’d do fine and assured us that cats get along very well with 3 legs. (It was amazing he’d managed to get himself home on the bad leg, he was determined and strong.)

The alternative was clear. It was amputation or nothing.

We were left alone to confer. What should we do?

“If Benji could talk, I think he would tell us he wants to live,” were Bob’s words to me. I agreed, happy he made that decision.

He had surgery the next day and it went well. (The surgeon himself had a ‘tri-pawed,’ who still climbed trees!)

He wore a soft cone when out of our presence and his other leg remained bandaged with a surface injury.

I babied him. Prayed for him. Gave him his meds. Kept him in my presence as much as I could. Gave over my office to him, removing his perch so he wouldn’t be tempted to jump. He adapted quickly, moving about the very next day.

It was a long, two weeks of being housebound, for us and him. The stitches came out this week and Benji was freed from both cone and bandage, and according to the vet, free to be a cat again.

He still needs time to fully heal but he’s getting around well. Lots of treats, new toys, love and attention.

We’re plugging up holes under the fence to keep him in the backyard when we allow him to go outside. No more overnight adventures. In the meantime, there are supervised visits, this one from this morning.

It’s a new world for all of us, but I’m so glad we chose life for Benji. He’s a smart cat and I believe he’s thankful too.

~ Susanne

P.S. I hesitated posting this, fearful of criticism, either for allowing Benji to be an outdoor cat or for the decision we made. Both choices were made in love.

Category: CatsTags: , , , ,

53 Comments on “Time to Tell You About Benji”

  1. such a sad tale but it sounds like Benji copes with his leg missing
    keep us informed, Susanne

  2. Cats are resilient. You definitely made the right decision. You are the best cat parents.

    • Thank you so much for your comment. Those first few days were difficult for all of us, but we are happy with the decision and believe Benji is happy too.

  4. Absolutely the best choice for Benji! I’m sure he’ll adjust. I know of other tripod kitties who do fine. Purrs to you and Benji!

  7. Oh my gosh, I thought I was going to read he had to be put down, Susanne! Poor Benji, he looks amazing for having been through surgery. I have seen more of the “tripods” on our walks in the last couple of years, mostly dogs, and they seem to do just fine. He is lucky to have you as his people and will continue to thrive. Blessings to you all!

    • Thanks so much. It was traumatic for all of us but I’m happy we chose life for Benji. The vets encouraged us that tri-pawed cats do very well. And I’m thankful that he’s adapting in such a short period of time! He can already run fast!😻😻

  8. It’s amazing how cats can adapt. Benji looks good and I’m so glad he is doing well.

  10. Any decision made out of love is the best choice.

  11. I’m glad you were able to get Benji the veterinary care he needed so quickly! I’m relieved that he was able to get home to you, even though it must have been very painful. Good luck for a quick recovery, Benji!

    • Thank you so much. We literally had him in a carrier and off to the ER within 15 minutes. Poor sweet boy! I’m so happy he’s doing well.

  12. So sorry to hear about this. A trying time for all of you but, like others have said, animals tend to be pretty adaptable when it comes to injuries of all kinds. The main thing is he has a safe and comfortable home and excellent caregivers!

  13. Oh poor Benji! I’m amazed he got home like he did, but he knew where help was 🥰. I don’t think anyone should (or will) criticize you for any of your decisions on how to “raise” your cats. We all do the best we can for our kitties. I’m just glad he is okay. Praying over him was a good idea too, I’ve done that with a variety of pets over the years. There was a three-legged cat that lived in my mom’s neighborhood and he got along just fine. Foster and Panda send their get well wishes. 🥰🐱🐼

    • Thank you so much for your comment.😻 He’s such a sweet little boy and worth saving. It’s only been a couple weeks since the surgery and he is adapting very well. I’m so thankful for that!

  14. Poor Benji. I am glad he is OK. Cats do adapt well to things like that. I also had a tripod years ago and she had no trouble getting around and was very strong in her other legs to compensate. If you send me your address I will send him some homemade catnip toys. I usually do it as the Tooth Fairy, but losing a leg is a lot worse than a tooth.

    • Oh, thank you so much for your lovely comment! I’ll contact you. Benji will truly welcome your thoughful gift. 😻😻

  15. In a perfect world our cats would live contentedly indoors and some do. I currently am staff to four, only one of them voluntarily stays in the house. The other three made it clear that they were not meant to be inside. So, they go out as soon as it’s light enough for the dogs to make sure no coyotes lurk in the yard and come in when called in the evening. We know the risks but realize that life isn’t lived fully without a bit of risk. I’m so glad to hear that you chose life for Benji.

    • Thanks so much for your comment. Our cats have always had outdoor privileges. Benji is very adventurous and especially loves the outdoors. We’re thankful that he’s adjusting so well and hope with time he’ll get most of those privileges back. For now, we’re taking extra care while he adjusts with supervised visits.

  16. No crticism from me, you did the very best for Benji. Cats and dogs are incredibly resilient, and cope so well on 3 legs. It’s almost as if they forgot they once had 4.

    Best wishes, Pete.

    • Thanks so much, Pete. We felt so bad about it, but the vets at the clinic encouraged us that 3 legged kitties do very well. Benji is getting around fine in a short period of time so it was the right decision. He’s such a sweet boy and very resilient.

  17. Oh dear, poor Benji – but it sounds like he’s coping and adjusting well, as you are. I have friends whose dog had to have a leg amputated after running out into the road in front of a car. She’s been three legged for a couple of years now and manages just fine, so I’m sure you did the right thing for Benji 🤗

    • Thanks so much, Sarah. It was such a shock at first to hear amputation was the only option. I’m glad the vets encouraged us that 3 legged cats do very well and are not as uncommon as I thought. So far Benji is coping very well, and I’m hopeful he’ll be back to his fully active self soon. He can already run fast outside so we have to watch him carefully when we take him out. 🙂

  18. I had to make a similarly agonizing decision for one of my sweet kitties about three years ago – should I give insulin shots to a diabetic cat? Or would he be better off if I just “let him go”? How would he feel about it? In the end, I decided to go ahead and try, and he actually would hop up on the table when it was time for his shot. (I gave him a yummy treat afterwards.) We got our rambunctious and healthy cat back for a year before he sadly got cancer, and then we sadly did have to let him go. Sending lots of healing wishes to your sweet Benji! ❤

    • Thank you so much for your comment. I’ve been amazed at how quickly Benji is adapting to being a tripod! He’s still happy and spunky just a little bit slower. The main adjustment will be knowing how and when to let him go back outside unsupervised. Still thinking that through. We also had a diabetic cat some years ago and I was surprised how easy it was to give him a shot of insulin (especially because I don’t like needles.) Under the skin was quick and easy and didn’t bother him at all.

  19. I only ever had outdoor cats and we just always thought cats and outdoors were synonymous. Our favorite neighbor cat is orange and wanders over now and then. Once I had to scare him out from under our car before I drove out. I am glad that you have helped Benji adjust to his new reality. I would dearly miss him.

    • Thank you so much. We’re so happy we chose life for him. He is adjusting very well, can manage the stairs in our house and run fast when he wants to! Hoping he’ll be ready for more outdoor privileges eventually. He’s still our sweet and spunky Benji.

  21. Aw, bless his sweet little heart! 💙 I’m glad he’s adapting well. We’ve had medical emergencies for both our cat and our dog, and it’s the absolute worst. I don’t wish it on anyone. I’m glad y’all were able to save him! 🙂 – And given that the vets told you there was no reason he couldn’t go on to live a happy, healthy life… I mean, well, there you go. I don’t see how anyone could find fault with that. – Sending Benji all the love and well wishes! 🙂 💙

    • Thank you so much for your comment.🙂 I’m glad the
      vets encouraged us that he could still have a good quality of life with amputation. The first few days were rough, but he is such a special kitty and is adjusting so well! 😻

  22. Poor Benji ! That’s rough. But what determination and strength he showed to come home like this. I think you made the right choice and that, with sone adjustments, he’ll be able to continue living a good cat life. Sending my love to Benji and all of you.

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