Before you read this, please help us find a home for this incredible cat, Don Vito, by sharing this post in your social networks… and now please… come in, meet a shinning star..
Don Vito came to us on a rainy evening in January. I remember that night as it if was today. It was cold, wet and miserable, typical European winter. Our clinic was full that day. We had animals that had just been operated, our nurses could barely find enough time to tend all the sick and injured. But then Vito crossed through the door.
I will never forget his face as he was pulled out of that cage. He was terrified, his pupils completely dilated showed fear and angst but he was too weak to fight.
Don Vito had been found laying on a pool of mud. He was badly injured and the only thing the local vet could come up with was a spray for muscle pain. Some vet that one…
We couldn’t bear the thought of this poor kitty dying there without a chance, and we organized to have him brought to us.
The initial tests were awful. Not only was he positive to Feline Leukemia (Blood Cancer), but all his other parametres were off the scale. Multiple points of infection were eating him alive, his weakened body had been fighting as much as he could but it had already begun to shut down. His levels told us he wouldn’t make it through the night.
We are fortunate to work with a vet that fully shares our position on euthanasia and that he would not take that route before exhausting every other option, but even didn’t have much hope. Alvaro looked at me and told me to be ready as there would very likely be a point where we would have to put an end to his suffering… and right after he said that, we got to work.
Don Vito received a blood transfusion that night. That emergency procedure saved his life.
Over the next two months Vito was at deaths door a couple of times, but he always pulled through. His immense strength and determination to survive carried him through… for now.
This is Don Vito TODAY!!!
All life is priceless… but Don Vito’s survival came at at enormous cost of a medical bill of thousands that was fully covered by our fund, there were no appeals, this case like so many others was never public…
Don Vito will have a prosperous life, but it won’t be a long one… At some point sometime in the future Leukemia will win the battle and will take his life. But he won’t die in the miserable conditions in which he arrived to us, weak and scared. He will die surrounded by a loving family that will kiss him goodbye.
Feline Leukemia is a mortal disease with no known cure, but its not contagious to humans or dogs. WE MUST FIND A SPECIAL FAMILY FOR DON VITO. A family that will understand that this amazing cat will be with them only temporarily, and that one day, maybe not too far away will leave them. A special family that will truly understand the meaning of the word COMPASSION.
Please, if you feel you are that kind of family, if you feel Vito has reached to your heart and lodged itself in there… please write to me on viktor@myletsadopt.com telling me everything about you and your family.
Please offer a last few years to this incredible animal that has fought so much and inspired so many…
Once again: viktor@myletsadopt.com
Please help us find a home for Don Vito by sharing this post in your social networks…
Viktor
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UPDATE 29 September 2014
Today, two years and a half after he was rescued Don Vito passed away in the loving arms of the woman that opened her heart to him. My mother.
Don Vito was a difficult case. He had Leukemia and chronic kidney failure. Noone would offer him a home, no matter how hard we try. It took an exceptional woman to offer peace a dignity to our hero in the last years of his life.
Don Vito died as he lived, with dignity and pride. He was one of the strongest I´ve ever met… A force of nature. He loved life, and life loved him…
Rest in Peace Don Vito, my friend.
Viktor if you don’t find a family soon, you know my home is always open.
Love, Christine
I would love to but he has Leukemia.. :(.. I owe you a letter Christine… will do this tonight. Love
Has this marvellous cat got home,Don Vito.He is just great cat.
I have 2 cats in my home and I live in Finland.I wish I could give home to this cat.I am retired 62 years old lady who loves animals so so much.
Thank you for these wonderful people who took care of this marvellous cat.
What an angel! God Bless everyone involved!
God Bless this angel!
Blessed you are Don Vito…he is so so beautiful….I pray that someone will come forward for this very special and immensely strong boy….He deserves a wonderful, loving, compassionate home for these last years of his life. He is a fighter….so he might just be with us for quite a while to come!
Thank you Viktor for all you and your team do….you are a true inspiration!!
Maria Grobbelaar in Napier, South Africa.
Thank you Maria… thank you.. Viktor
I had 4 boys who had this. I kept them inside and they lived for about four years, a normal life until the last month. I would have no problem having a cat with this. I hope you are surrised by the many people who will want to have this beautiful boy in their lives. Thanks for sharing his story and doing what you having been doing for soooo many furry ones 🙂
Hi Bev… not one offer of adoption unfortunately.. but we know Vito is not for everyone.. he’s for someone special. Well find that person.
xxx
God Bless this sweet baby, and all of you that have done so much to save his life, show him love and in trying to find him a home! True love and compassion are what life is really all about!
Will be Sharing, Praying and sending lots of Love and Many Hugs to this sweet boy!
If I wasn’t an ocean away I’d take him. Thanks for helping this guy out, Viktor.
i pray God will put him with his special guardian and that God blesses you for all the love you guys give to his critters. i have cats and am in the u.s. if not i would scarf him up in a heartbeat.
Well done to all especially Don Vito. Even though his time is short it is going to be good time, I am sure. What a wonderful transformation, he is beautiful. I am sure he will find a lovely home. <3
I wish you the best if luck sweet cat .. u will find a home soon .. no doubts .. u r a hero.
How far will you send him? I’m in Canada, a bit of a trek. I would consider taking him. I have a neutered seven year old Buddy and a soon to be spade nine month old Little Weasel.
Mark, he could go as far as Canada with a flight volunteer. Please drop me an email on viktor@myletsadopt.com and let’s take it from there. I Would need to see some pics of Buddy and your family to see how you live. Drop me an email pls. Best
I just want to say, thank God, for people that will try to save life when it is easy to take it, these people are truly Earth Angels and I am so greatful for the people that will go that extra mile to save Animal life, all my love and light to you and God always look over your shoulder when there is one of God creatures in need, thank you for all the hard work that you do for the Animals, because most of the time you never get thanks, so thank you for all the care and time ,and love
Julie xxx
Thank you Victor and everyone for caring for this handsome boy and not letting him die without knowing love. I hope someone will come forward and take him into their home.
I hope you can help him Mark. He looks so much happier now – as always a great job xxx
What a beautiful baby, I would love to have him, and he would be safe…but I have a basset who is beautiful and gentle, but she would want to play and that means chasing pussycats..(not to hurt but to play).
Good luck Don Vito…you are so beautiful…keep well xx
Dios te bendiga Viktor
God Bless you sweet Don Vito….Thank God your rescuer brought you to the most wonderful people, people that love animals, believe in the preservation of life at any cost. You may not have a long life ahead of you sweet baby but now you can live it without pain and in the arms of someone that will love you and take care of you for the rest of your life.
I’m sorry my little friend. I know how your care taker is as I am going through her same steps. May you RIP precious one.
God bless your mother for having given Don Vito the best last years of his life. And thank you LAG for having the heart and love to take Don Vito into your lives, and give him the best care you could. Respeto and many bendiciones, de Philadelphia, Pa. USA <3
In 2000. I had to put my bellowed cat to sleep. Hardest decision and hardest thing ever I had to do.
Wish I had known LAG and Victor, back then.
Os gatos não deviam sofrer tanto! Mas, Don Vitor viveu um período de completa felicidade nos braços de uma pessoa incrível! Mas todos os ‘anjos’ devem retornar para a mansão celestial! #Adeus Cat!
You look allot like your MUMM??? LOL
Hopefully I do 🙂
Forgot to say, Don Vito was beautiful, like all of them…………………………..RIP.
My condolences to your mom. What a beautiful cat. Glad she was able to be with him and hold him in her arms when he went over to the Rainbow Bridge.