Riverbend is called “home” by three wonderful, quirky cats. Rescued and brought to us, they quickly settled in and have become beloved fixtures here. You’ll probably see at least one at any visit…lounging at the front desk, patrolling the waiting room, or snoozing in an exam room.
Our Hospital Cats
Amelia
Amelia came to us in 2002, brought in by a Good Samaritan. She had been found by the side of the road in Chicopee, presumably hit by a car. After she recovered from her injuries, we tried to place her in adoptive homes several times, but she very clearly expressed her desire to live at Riverbend.
She spends her days at the front desk, greeting folks, nuzzling into clients’ purses, disconnecting the credit card machine, and mostly trying to get her paws on the treats and other edibles tucked in the cubbies. She spends her evenings in the cat ward with her best pal, Savannah.
Savannah
Savannah is our newest resident kitty. She was born in October of 2008 with a serious deformity involving both back legs. She had to have one of her rear legs amputated, which has given her more freedom of movement. She is blissfully unaware that she is in any way physically challenged. She runs around from room to room, up and down stairs, and climbs to the top of her kitty condo with ease. Savannah stays in the back most of the time, hanging out with the surgery crew, venturing into the rest of the hospital only when it is very very quiet.
Tyrone (d. May 2012)
Probably the happiest day in Riverbend’s history was the day that Tyrone came to stay. Nearly blind and very sick, he was rescued from a shelter in March 2000 and brought to us for treatment. By the time he was on the mend and ready for adoption, we had fallen hopelessly in love with him.
We estimate Tyrone was about a year old when he arrived. As for his origin, he may have been part Maine Coon, part Norwegian Forest Cat, part Siberian Forest Cat, or just an old fashioned American Domestic Longhair. In any case, this handsome cat was an integral part of Riverbend for our first 12-1/2 years, greeting patients in the front office with a brush of the tail or a gentle bat on the nose, visiting them in the exam rooms, and watching over them while they recovered from surgery.
As the years went by and his numerous health problems tired him out, he roamed the hospital less and less, preferring to sit at the top of the stairs or in pharmacy, the perfect places to interact with his friends and have his head scratched as we went about our day. Probably the saddest day in Riverbend’s history was the evening when he died.
Tyrone touched our lives in so many ways, and we miss him very much.
“You are blessed with a wonderful gift, Dr. Thomson, not only in your expertise as a surgeon but in the way you interact with people.”
“Thank you all so much for allowing us to have our second Christmas with our little fat head, Pickles. You guys are just amazing.”
“No matter how long you have your pet, it is never long enough. A million thanks for all for the great care. You went above and beyond.”
“A gentle acknowledgement of the kindness in your practice. The greeting Leo got yesterday brings tears of happiness to my eyes as I write.”
“We want to thank you for the excellent care you have provided Arlo. Everyone is kind, compassionate and professional. We are grateful for your expert care for our wonderful dog.”
