I got a new foster cat on Friday.  My guest room has been empty since
the
two older kittens I fostered got adopted, about 2 months ago.  Then my
sister stayed for a long weekend.  People in the foster room!

My pet sitter called me Thur evening to say that she had found out that
there was a cat hanging around and sleeping in the stairwell of her
apartment.
After asking around she found out that people had been seeing him for
about
3 weeks, but no one knew who he belonged to.  Of course, no one called a
rescue group or did anything to help him except for my pet sitter.

She has a small apartment and 2 dogs, so she asked if I could help him.
Since I wasn't fostering, I had room.  Went by to pick him up on Fri
evening.
We had to look for him because he wasn't in her building anymore.  He is
a very large orange tabby with a white tummy, paws, and a little on his
face.
He is so friendly that I could just pick him up and put him in the
carrier.
I think he was relieved to have someone who would rescue him.

I had to name him before I actually saw him so I could make a vet
appointment,
so I named him Mingo...don't ask why, it just popped into my mind.  The
vet
says he needs to gain a couple of pounds, although he currently weighs
in at 13 lbs.
Poor Mingo is skinny, with bad teeth, and almost no fur on his tummy.  
That said, he has the potential to be a very handsome boy.  Our vet said
he had
worms, fleas, and his red blood cell count is low (probably from
malnutrition).  
He is neg for the bad stuff, but the only worrisome thing is that he
tests
positive for exposure to heart worms.  A little more testing will need
to be done
and a dental appt in a couple of weeks when he is up to it.  He is the
perfect foster
to shower love and attention on.  I love my 4 dearly, but they never
really
seem to need me.

Mingo spent the first 3 days with me sleeping and eating and cuddling.
He is
very attentive and likes to be right next to me.  If he wants to be
petted, he
touches me with his front paw or grabs one of my fingers and pulls it
towards him.  
Yesterday he felt good enough to play a feather game with me.  An
excellent sign!

If you have any spare purrs, please aim them at Mingo.  He needs a few
to get healthy
and strong, and not to have heart worms.

Debbie
dberry@mitre.org