Frankie Weiss and Her Magic

As I entered, Frankie looked up at me, surprisingly, she did not look any the worse for what she had gone through the past few hours. Nearing the table I tried to touch her head, she started licking my extended fingers. My heart felt good; I knew whatever the cost, it was worth it. My beautiful little feline, even with what she had just gone through showed her love for me.

I was given a bill for some $708 and change. It was dated 11/10/98. More than the money, she’d be Frankie, once again. The cat I learned to love and who changed my lonely life, as a widower, was ready to go back to her home, minus seven teeth and with suturing in her gums.

Putting the pet carrier on the table, Frankie willingly went right inside; could it be this little Calico knew her ordeal was over and she was going home? Frankie, in the carrier, sat quietly as I talked to her in a soothing voice on the drive home. Every so often, I put my finger through the carrier openings and Frankie would raise her pretty head and lick my finger.

Arriving home, I opened the carrier door, Frankie came out, quickly looked at Johnnie who greeted us as we entered and went into the kitchen to her food tray. Poor dear, though she had gone through such a traumatic only a few hours earlier the pangs of hunger took over and she ate a little from her food tray.

Don’t cats know they are supposed to hurt? I marveled at her need for food. What human would want to eat after undergoing such an involved surgical procedure? Felines, I can only assume are more tolerant of pain than us mere mortals. After all, millions of years taught them survival skills humans do not possess.

I dread to think what would have become of Frankie had she not undergone the treatment for Gingivitis. Happily, we were home and past the ordeal of having her affected teeth removed. A few months later, taking Frankie in for a health checkup, Dr. Rothberg gave me the good news that Frankie had regained her lost weight. I now thought we’d be family living happily ever after. This was not to be.

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