I shared about Farrah so much on our Facebook page that I would have to link to about nine different posts in order to bring newcomers and those who missed some posts up to speed.

So, I decided to write an entire blog post about Farrah.

Her story is certainly WORTHY. As she is.

And if Farrah’s story doesn’t give you hope and make you cry, well, you must be made of stone!

A Little Backstory First…

I don’t often dream about my Rainbow Bridge kitties. However, Tabby Wonder Cat Wilson came to me in a dream one summer night. Here was part of my Facebook post after I rescued Farrah…

“…I haven’t mentioned yet that Farrah came to me in a dream about five days before I even knew she existed.

In the dream, my late Tabby, my little soul cat of 16 years, came back to me. And I was petting her. When I told my mom about the dream the next day, I described the cat as kind of a brindle pattern but light colored. It was a different cat, but it was Tabby.

Monday when I picked Farrah up from her finder and got a better look at her, I was shocked to realize SHE was the cat in my dream.

Tabby passed six years ago and Farrah is 12-15 years old per the vet, but I have no doubt my Tabby played a part in this girl’s rescue ❤️ “

Crazy, right?

How Did I Get Involved?

September 24, 2018. My house was torn up because of a complete HVAC replacement. The Innies (my indoor cats) were in lock down in ‘safe rooms’ while the work was being done.

I was already stressed out beyond belief with the noise, the cats, Mom… This was the beginning of a two-day job that I just wanted OVER.

While I was sitting outside, trying to decompress and trying not to hear Rascal tearing up the bedroom door, I saw a friend tagged me in a post about a ‘found’ stray cat.

“Oh, no, no, no. Not today. I’m not a rescue. I have no room to help a cat. I can’t worry about this today…” These were the thoughts going through my head.

And NOBODY could take her in off of the street.

NOBODY.

I couldn’t leave her out there. She was BLIND. How she managed to survive out there for God knows how long is beyond me! But I had ZERO room to take in a cat. Not with my indoor cats on lock down and the workers making enough noise to raise the dead.

But I had to do SOMETHING.

Later, after I picked Farrah up , I noticed that three other Facebook friends tagged me in different posts about the SAME cat.

Okayyyy, Saint Francis, I Got the Message

I got in touch with Joe, the guy who posted Farrah’s picture on Facebook. He told me she showed up at his sister’s house a couple of days prior. His sister fed her. Farrah was hanging out under a batting cage in his sister’s yard. Since she has dogs and he has a dog, nobody could bring her inside.

They believed she was TOTALLY blind.

His sister was going to take her to a shelter, but Joe was concerned that a shelter would euthanize her. He was hoping to find her owner or someone who could take her first.

I asked Joe if he called around to area rescues. He contacted several and not one rescue could help her. It was near the end of kitten season and rescues are bursting at the seams in September.

I was trying to think of how I could JUST get her inside to safety. My wheels were turning. With everything going on inside my house that week with the construction, I had nowhere to put her.

FINALLY, Someone Stepped Up

I called my friend Linda, the Director of Jersey State Animal Rescue. And she was FULL. Over capacity at that point. We were texting back and forth, talking about how nobody could at least get her in off the street for that night.

I read her next text, “Can he get her here?”

I said, “Linda, if you can take her, I will personally go get her myself if I have to!”

Since I had workers all around my house with my elderly mother and really didn’t want to leave for too long, I did manage to talk Joe into bringing Farrah to a nearby bank where I could pick her up.

Joe set about borrowing a cat carrier from his neighbors and went down to his sister’s house to get her.

I sat on eggshells, waiting for that text that he got her safe and sound. So many things could go wrong…

After what seemed like HOURS (it was 45 minutes), I got the life-changing text message that they were on their way to meet me.

Her Rescue

When I arrived at the bank parking lot to pick her up, Joe was talking to her and petting her while she was in the carrier.

As soon as I saw her, I knew there was something REALLY special about her. But I hadn’t made the connection that she was the cat in my dream yet.

She was an absolute DOLL. Beautiful. And as much as she wanted out of that carrier, she was just sucking up all of the affection she was getting from us.

I assured Joe that she was going to the best possible Rescue and I would keep him updated.

Once I got her home, I was able to get a better look at her.

I could NOT believe it.

She Was the Cat in my Dream

I went to get Mom…

I was SHAKING because I couldn’t believe I dreamed about this cat five days before I even knew she existed.

My mind was racing. Was it Tabby come back to me? Where the Hell would I put her? I already have five indoor cats, two of whom don’t get along, and their mama, who I still have to integrate into my household.

All while this was going through my mind, I sat with her while she happily gobbled down Temptations treats and soaked up all the love.

I had no choice but to let her go to the rescue

I knew she would be in great hands there. This is the ONLY rescue that I would trust with my OWN cats. I adopted Penny and Weeny from Jersey State. I know firsthand how well she takes care of her cats…like they are her own. And her facility, even with all of the cats, is cleaner than my own home (and I’m a clean freak!)

Does She Even Have a Chance?

Once Linda arrived, she took her out of the carrier and we both got a better look at her. She was scary skinny and dirty. Her eyes were so swollen they were bulging out of her eye sockets. She couldn’t even close them. Her one eyeball was completely filled with blood.

Linda stated she saw eyes that looked like this before. And it was cancer.

My heart BROKE. I really wanted this little star to have a chance.

We weren’t sure if there was ANY hope for her.

I had to take comfort in the fact that she would be SAFE, WARM and WELL-FED for that night, anyway. It’s STILL better than the alternative!

Hope…

Linda said she would take her to the vet that week. Honestly, at this point, we both thought she may not make it through. I posted on Facebook to drum up donations for her vetting since Linda was over capacity and I wanted to help this baby.

Later that evening, when I was in the shower, her name came to me.

Farrah.

Incredible beauty. Strength. A survivor. HOPE.

I texted Linda when I got out of the shower and asked if they could name her “Farrah”. She agreed that was the PERFECT name for this little warrior princess!

MORE Hope…

Linda texted me the next day. She saw what I saw in Farrah. She wanted to give her EVERY chance and committed to seeing if there was ANYTHING the vet could do for her.

Here was my Facebook post after her first vet visit..

“Yesterday, Farrah, our sweet little blind girl, closed her eyes for the first time since she was rescued on Monday 🙀

She wasn’t able to close her eyes before because of the swelling 💔…

…Every time I talk to Linda, the director of Jersey State Animal Rescue who so selflessly stepped up to take Farrah, I just get more good news.

Without getting too technical, here’s what I know so far.

❤️ she’s not microchipped
❤️ she’s FIV/FeLV negative
❤️ blood work is relatively normal. Which was a shocker with what she’s been through.

eyes

Vet does not think it’s glaucoma. She has a condition called Uveitis. Often in cats, Uveitis is secondary to another condition. However, vet hasn’t figured out the condition yet. And often, they never do pinpoint an exact cause. So they’re treating the symptoms for now and we wait and see if she responds.

The fact that she could close her eyes less than 24 hours after she started the antibiotic eyedrops, systemic antibiotics, and medication to relax the eyelids shows that she is responding to treatment quite nicely so far 👏👏👏

She has ulceration in both eyes so she will go back for that next week. Once that is cleared up, they will start steroid eye drops.

Her iris adhered to the eyeball and the fluid was not draining. That explains the swelling and the blood in her eyes. 😮

Farrah is blind and likely will remain blind.

She may need eye removal surgery in the future but only if she’s in pain. Linda does not believe she’s in pain.

She told me Farrah is very content and comfortable. And extremely sweet ❤️

I guess so…now that she doesn’t have to fend for herself on the streets, blind and maybe a little hard of hearing, anymore.

This girl is just AMAZING. She’s somebody really special and I’m so glad that Joe (her finder), Linda, and all of YOU see that too!

I’m amazed at this girl’s will to win. She reminds me of my Penny 💪💕

I want to THANK each and every one of you for the prayers, shares and the donations.

She has come so far on her own. She’s not alone anymore. She has a whole army of amazing people making it possible now.

I cannot put into words how grateful I am for all of your help with Farrah!”

there’s just something about her…

Shortly after that post, I went to visit Farrah.

I was IN LOVE. As thousands of my FB followers and Jersey State’s FB followers are!

When I first walked into their intake cage room, I didn’t even recognize Farrah.

SHE WAS CLEAN!!

She cleaned up so well in just a couple of days and already looked so much better! Just a few days of good food, love, safety and a clean place to rest made all of the difference in the world!

She could not get enough love from me. She would have had me there for HOURS petting her if she had her choice! I’d like to think that I’m special, but, apparently, little miss Farrah is like this with everybody!!

And this girl is a PURRRRRR MACHINE!

If I had a room to put her in, I would have taken her home THAT DAY!

A Setback…

After initially improving with treatment, Farrah’s eyes were swelling again after they started the steroid eye drops.

Since Farrah was already completely blind, the vet and Linda decided it would be best to remove her eyes if Farrah was to have any kind of quality of life. Farrah’s health was otherwise stable and she even gained 2lbs in the few weeks she was at the rescue! There was no good reason why they couldn’t do this surgery at this point.

She couldn’t continue to be poked and prodded and doused with eye drops just to have the painful pressure and swelling return.

Especially since her eyes were never going to regain sight anyway.

I agreed with their decision to remove her eyes. The goal with our pets should ALWAYS be quality of life!

Farrah Found a Home!!

In the meantime, Linda told me a girl named Alison was coming to meet her that weekend.

My heart stopped. I figured now was the time to tell Linda…

I told her that if it didn’t work out with Alison, if Farrah couldn’t find a home once she was cleared for adoption, or if at any time the vets decided there was no hope for her, I would take her here on hospice care.

Farrah deserves to have a HOME before she dies.

She didn’t survive out there and go through all she had gone through for nil. She HAD to have a home again before she died. Even if only for a short while.

Linda replied, “You got it!”

However, Alison, like ALL of us, FELL IN LOVE WITH FARRAH. And the deal was sealed. Farrah will be going HOME with Alison once she’s cleared for adoption!!

it worked out the way it was supposed to…

Farrah’s new home will be much better for her than the P&K Estates. We have five very energetic, rowdy indoor cats. They still run around like kittens. The Innies have free reign of the basement. And although I cleaned the basement and it’s safe for cats, the twelve floating steps leading down to the basement may not be the safest for a blind senior cat who has Lightning Legs aka Patchy running past her at 100 MPH or Dennis the Menace aka Rascal jumping OVER her on his way down the steps…

Her new mama, Alison, has a partially blind special needs kitty already. So her house is SAFE for Farrah. And Alison probably knows better how to care for her than I would.

Alison cannot wait to bring her home. She’s already SO in love with Farrah!

I truly believe it was Meant to Be for Alison to adopt Farrah!

One Step Closer to Her New Home

The day of Farrah’s eye removal surgery, I was on EGGSHELLS.

I stalked my phone.

Stressed.

And I PRAYED.

It felt very much like the day Penny had her emergency dental while in a “crash” from her kidney disease.

There’s ALWAYS a risk with anesthesia. But for senior cats, even more so.

When Linda texted me at about 2pm that afternoon, I cried with relief!

“Out of surgery. Waking up. On my way to pick ‘queen’ up.”

Farrah was one step closer to going to her new HOME.

she had trouble adjusting

I didn’t share this on Facebook, but initially I was concerned about Farrah’s recovery. Linda told me that she had some trouble adjusting to not having two heavy, swollen, ginormous eyeballs weighing her head down anymore. I imagine it all felt very different to her.

It’s amazing how we adapt to discomfort and pain.

Linda had to assist feed her the first two days after surgery.

Just as I was really starting to worry, Linda texted me and told me that she just ate two entire bowls of food by herself!

I then figured maybe Farrah was having trouble clearing the anesthesia because of her age. Which happens.

Then I remembered how LOOPY Penny used to get while taking buprenex, which is a pain medication. I mentioned that to Linda and she agreed maybe that’s why Farrah was acting a little strange….because she was hopped up on dope, basically. Once they adjust to the medication, they start acting more like their normal selves.

She’s improving every day and definitely back to her sweet and loving self!

Almost There…

Linda texted me over the weekend that they removed Farrah’s stitches and she likely would be going home this week.

She looks so much more comfortable now.

I’m writing this before Adoption Day because I want it ready to post on Facebook with her adoption. Then I can edit with her “HAPPILY EVER AFTER”.

I asked both Linda and Alison (Farrah’s new mama) if I could join them on Adoption Day so I could kiss Farrah “goodbye” and take lots of pics.

I’m so excited for her, but I’m going to cry like a baby. It’s bittersweet because she was almost ours.

But, like I said earlier, her new home is where she belongs. God and St Francis just used us as the pathway to get her there.

Adoption Day is HERE!!

I will fill in this part when Farrah’s adoption is complete and she’s en route to her new home with her new mama.

Inspired…

Farrah touched our souls deeply. So deeply that I cannot accurately put it into words. Anybody who met Farrah or has been part of this journey the past three months understands what I mean.

Farrah and her story are INSPIRING. FULL OF HOPE. And, most importantly, full of LOVE.

Saying that she’s “special” is an extreme understatement.

I’m a writer and I can’t find the words to describe what it is about her.

More than the fact that she survived out there for we don’t even know how long without all of her defenses.

And despite whatever she endured out there, she still has the ability to love and trust so completely. It blows my mind!

There’s a quiet strength and serenity about her.

Linda said when she picked her up from my house, “Man, I wish I knew her story.” So do I.

Farrah’s Lessons…

If you’ve been following our stories, you know I believe we learn lessons from these precious babies that enter our lives. Here are a few of Farrah’s lessons:

1. Survival. Cats are survivors as are all of God’s creatures. Their ability to adapt to change and survive against all odds simply amazes me. Much like the Human Spirit.
2. Never Give Up. I’ll repeat what I’ve heard a million times in 12-step recovery. “Don’t give up before the miracle happens!” It’s a good thing Farrah didn’t!
3. Don’t Let the World Break You. I imagine somebody let Farrah down in her little life. She doesn’t move around much so I don’t believe she traveled a great distance before arriving at Joe’s sister’s. They really tried to find her owner. Either someone left Farrah behind or they dumped her. Sad, but true. But that didn’t stop Farrah from being open to loving and trusting other humans. We can ALL learn a lesson from her on that one!

Stay Tuned…

Farrah has thousands of fans from all over the world on social media!

Since I became Facebook friends with Farrah’s new mama, I will be following her progress and her life, every step of the way! And I’ll be sure to post updates on our Facebook, so if you haven’t followed us yet, do it now!!

Her rescue and healing would not have been possible without all of YOU. This was TRULY a group effort.

It warms my heart to know that we have a TRIBE of like-minded, amazing people who are so willing to offer support, prayers, and donations to save a special girl like Farrah. We hear of SO much “bad” in the world, but I always said that for every person doing bad things, there are a hundred doing good things.

And for Farrah, the “little bit” that every person offered was the difference between life and death.

Please don’t ever discount the part YOU played in her rescue!!

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All treatments, foods and supplements mentioned in this blog are based on my own research, experience and done with my vet’s knowledge and consent. Consult with your vet as necessary.