Hello everyone! I'm a long time lurker, but finally got around to making an account and I figured I'd share my story. Some of it is a bit sad, but it's mostly full of love.
I live in Tucson, Arizona, and I work in an animal field. About 3 years ago a vet that I work with had 3 sphynxes dropped off at her pet clinic due to their owner being taken into hospice. I had always wanted a hairless cat, so I jumped at the opportunity to meet them; I knew that this could be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to rescue one.
So my husband and I (both male) went to meet a cat, and the second I saw her, I loved her. She was a dark grey bambino: a strange little goblin with nubby legs, already shaking and trying to climb into my shirt. I was terrified to adopt her, though. She had inflammatory bowel disease (which I had never heard of), and it made the decision a lot harder because she needed lifelong meds, a prescription diet, and would surely have a lot of medical expenses. But... how could I not take her home? She had only been with her previous owner for a year after a backyard breeder gave her away on Nextdoor for being infertile. She had lived in a house full of cats and dogs, she had feline herpes, and she needed me. We named her Bug, and she was such a blessing.
I got a lot of initial sphynx guidance from the vet (who owns 3 rescue sphynxes herself!) and I did a lot of research to prepare myself. I often searched to this website for advice, too! After many trials, I eventually found a diet/meds/routine combination that seemed to settle down Bug's IBD and herpes symptoms. By coincidence, my usual pet vet was the same vet that the previous owner took her to, and she said that it was the healthiest she'd ever seen this cat. I think I took good care of her- I even drove her 4 hours and into Mexico to see a vet ophthalmologist once when she had a stye! I worked so hard to give her a good life.
And boy, did she give ME a good life. I loved that cat more than words can describe. She brought so much joy into the house! She had spunk and would yell at the other pets if they got in her personal space. She was the lovey-est cat I ever met... she LIVED for snuggles, and she would spend every night curled up in my arms. She had an entire winter wardrobe, and I even tried my hand at making her a sweater once myself. My husband fell head over heels for her as well... we both loved her so much.
Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to Bug about a year ago. It was VERY sudden and unexpected, but we couldn't let her be in pain. We knew that she hadn't been bred for health and that our time with her would likely be limited, though we had no idea just how short it would be. I found my dream cat, my soul cat, and I only got 2 years with her... but I was so, so lucky to have those 2 years, and I knew it. I didn't take her for granted a single day. Her memory will always be a blessing. Her formal name with all of her earned titles: Princess Snuggle-Bug, The Blankey Goblin, Queen of All Jellybeans, Thief of Many Milks, Seeker of the Cozy Places, The Littlest Spoon of All.
I decided to finally make an account here to keep one foot in the sphynx community, since I do hope to rescue another sphynx some day. My husband and I aren't in a hurry, but we live in a warm climate with lots of sphynx breeders in the state, so I think we'll come across another one in need of a home at some point. I also want to express my gratitude to this community for being here and providing me with so much support without even knowing it!
I've attached some pictures of Bug for everyone to appreciate.
I live in Tucson, Arizona, and I work in an animal field. About 3 years ago a vet that I work with had 3 sphynxes dropped off at her pet clinic due to their owner being taken into hospice. I had always wanted a hairless cat, so I jumped at the opportunity to meet them; I knew that this could be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to rescue one.
So my husband and I (both male) went to meet a cat, and the second I saw her, I loved her. She was a dark grey bambino: a strange little goblin with nubby legs, already shaking and trying to climb into my shirt. I was terrified to adopt her, though. She had inflammatory bowel disease (which I had never heard of), and it made the decision a lot harder because she needed lifelong meds, a prescription diet, and would surely have a lot of medical expenses. But... how could I not take her home? She had only been with her previous owner for a year after a backyard breeder gave her away on Nextdoor for being infertile. She had lived in a house full of cats and dogs, she had feline herpes, and she needed me. We named her Bug, and she was such a blessing.
I got a lot of initial sphynx guidance from the vet (who owns 3 rescue sphynxes herself!) and I did a lot of research to prepare myself. I often searched to this website for advice, too! After many trials, I eventually found a diet/meds/routine combination that seemed to settle down Bug's IBD and herpes symptoms. By coincidence, my usual pet vet was the same vet that the previous owner took her to, and she said that it was the healthiest she'd ever seen this cat. I think I took good care of her- I even drove her 4 hours and into Mexico to see a vet ophthalmologist once when she had a stye! I worked so hard to give her a good life.
And boy, did she give ME a good life. I loved that cat more than words can describe. She brought so much joy into the house! She had spunk and would yell at the other pets if they got in her personal space. She was the lovey-est cat I ever met... she LIVED for snuggles, and she would spend every night curled up in my arms. She had an entire winter wardrobe, and I even tried my hand at making her a sweater once myself. My husband fell head over heels for her as well... we both loved her so much.
Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to Bug about a year ago. It was VERY sudden and unexpected, but we couldn't let her be in pain. We knew that she hadn't been bred for health and that our time with her would likely be limited, though we had no idea just how short it would be. I found my dream cat, my soul cat, and I only got 2 years with her... but I was so, so lucky to have those 2 years, and I knew it. I didn't take her for granted a single day. Her memory will always be a blessing. Her formal name with all of her earned titles: Princess Snuggle-Bug, The Blankey Goblin, Queen of All Jellybeans, Thief of Many Milks, Seeker of the Cozy Places, The Littlest Spoon of All.
I decided to finally make an account here to keep one foot in the sphynx community, since I do hope to rescue another sphynx some day. My husband and I aren't in a hurry, but we live in a warm climate with lots of sphynx breeders in the state, so I think we'll come across another one in need of a home at some point. I also want to express my gratitude to this community for being here and providing me with so much support without even knowing it!
I've attached some pictures of Bug for everyone to appreciate.
