Meet Teddy! This lovable boy was rescued by the staff of our North Country Initiative location in upstate New York.
Teddy was abandoned in an apartment when the tenants moved out. Not only was he deserted, he wasn’t neutered nor, apparently, examined for much else. We diagnosed Teddy with a bad combination of congenital heart defects for which there is no surgical option – fixing one defect would make the other worse. He will require medications and frequent check-ups for the rest of his life. You know what else he’ll have? YOU and all of his Sponsors to make sure he has the best life possible. Thank you!
November 2024
Teddy has been adapting to big changes this year, including a move to his dad’s childhood home and his favorite human sibling moving out. “We’ve been calling him ‘old man,’ and he meows back,” said mom Larene. Teddy quickly adjusted to the new house, loving sliding along the wood floors as he chases his siblings around, and sleeping on the cozy shelf he discovered.
June 2024
Teddy continues to bring boundless happiness to their home, reported mom Larene. His health is being closely monitored and to the relief of his family, remains stable. Particularly attached to Larene, Teddy insists on accompanying her everywhere, even bedtime where he snuggles by her head, nibbling at her hair. Teddy’s loving nature is truly shining, a reflection of the wonderful care he is receiving.
February 2024
Teddy has exceeded the life expectancy for his medical condition, and mom Larene thinks “it may have something to do with all the love he receives.” Teddy enjoys ‘claiming’ places around the house to sleep in, and is ever the calming, watchful caretaker of both human and feline family members. “He has such a caring heart,” Larene said. “We hope and pray 2024 keeps Teddy healthy.”
November 2023
Teddy has been doing well after a recent change to his medication and has been a good boy about taking his pills from mom Larene, but only from her! “I love Teddy with all my heart,” she said. “Every day he greets me when I get home from work.” A born caregiver, Teddy has been an important companion to his human brother who is on the autism spectrum. “We’re so thankful to have him in our lives.”
May 2023
Teddy has been having a great year and has put the weight back on that he lost last year, mom Larene told us. Teddy especially enjoys the adoration he gets from his feline siblings and doesn’t hesitate to remind them who the boss is. He has also become a support cat for his human brother who is on the autism spectrum. “We just can’t express how much Teddy means to us,” said Larene. “He is the best boy ever!”
March 2023
Teddy has come through some medical concerns and is now back to a healthy weight and doing well, to the relief of his family. “We are so thankful he made it through,” said mom Larene. “Teddy is such a bright spot in our home.” While Teddy adores his rescue pet siblings, he doesn’t hesitate to let them know he is king! “When Teddy first came to us three years ago, he did not trust us,” recalled mom Larene. “Now he shows us unconditional love.”
November 2022
Teddy is getting regular check-ups and is now on a special diet and medication that have helped decrease the fluid around his heart. Thankfully, he has been good about taking his pills, and mom Larene said, “He’s become such a big love. He enjoys playing and watching over his feline siblings. Life is very interesting with Teddy and we enjoy treating him like the king he is.”
June 2022
Teddy is ruler of the roost in his home, whether he is sitting on the back of the couch, or at the top of his favorite cat tree. Mom, Larene, reported that Teddy is doing well, despite having heart and kidney issues earlier this year. Adjustments to his medication have helped and Larene has figured out how to dispense his daily pill without losing a finger! Larene continues to be amazed by his transformation: “Since we brought him home, he has changed from a scared, untrusting cat who hid, to a lovey who runs to greet me for hugs and kisses.”
March 2022
Teddy has been doing wonderfully, and is happy and healthy, according to mom, Larene. He truly loves being an important part of his family. “Teddy loves his humans and his cat siblings very much,” Larene said. “We refer to him as our son!” Teddy has lost a little weight but continues to be very active, waking his mom up each morning by scratching the bed. Larene feel so fortunate to be able to care for him: “He is such a love bug. After being abandoned, he now has a life full of love and feels safe.”
July 2021
Teddy is happy and doing well, reports mom, Larene. A recent visit to the cardiologist found that Teddy’s heart defects remain stable with the medication he takes twice a day. Teddy has adjusted well to the changes over the past year including his dad working from home; the loss of his feline sibling, Bear; and the addition of two new kittens. “Teddy makes our home peaceful,” says Larene. “We love him so much! Thank you for sponsoring him. He is one of a kind.”
March 2021
Teddy’s latest visit with his cardiologist revealed much better images of his heart, giving him a better prognosis than originally thought. His heart hasn’t gotten worse and the doctor feels that Teddy could have more years with Larene and her family than he previously considered. What absolutely wonderful news! “I’d like to think that all the love he gets has helped him,” said Larene. “We have our routine with his daily medications and he knows that every night at 9 p.m. he gets a treat. If I’m late he lets me know.” Teddy’s family had a very challenging 2020. “I had no idea how much I would need Teddy this year,” exclaimed Larene. “When we lost Bear Cat, Teddy comforted me like never before. He knew I was so sad and he was sad too. Bear was his best friend.” The couple decided to get a kitten from our no-kill Adirondack Region Cat Adoption Center so he could have a friend again. Actually, they fell in love with two kittens and that’s how Murphy and Clementine came into Teddy’s life. Teddy is happy and plays with them and chases them around the house. Larene and Jeff are so thankful that as a Sponsor Pet, Teddy can be a part of their family.
November 2020
Teddy has been a very bright spot in the life of his parents during these past few months. Sadly, they suddenly and unexpectedly lost their cat, Bear, in the spring. Teddy was so sad too. He even snuggled with his parents as if to comfort them. But Teddy was also lonely without a pet sibling. Back when he was at our Adirondack Region Cat Adoption Center he helped frightened kittens feel more secure. So Larene and Jeff went there to get Teddy a friend and brought home two kittens! These three cats have made his parents smile even more, watching them all play together. It was a bit of an adjustment for Teddy when Jeff started working from home. He kept looking at him for a while like he was saying “Go to work!” His mom was home for two months and she was glad to have the extra time with Teddy. Teddy’s parents really love Animal League America and the support they get from his Sponsors.
July 2020
When Teddy, and his buddy Bear, first came to live with Larene and Jeff he seemed skittish and distrustful to them. “Today we are happy that Teddy loves, trusts, and enjoys our family,” said Larene. “He spends his days lounging on his cat tree, laying in the window watching birds, and sleeping on his blanket. Teddy’s parents have noticed that he has some funny quirks. In the morning, he follows Larene into the kitchen and grabs her legs as she goes past him! He also has totally taken over the sofa as his own personal bed. They recently took Teddy to his cardiologist who was so pleased to see how happy he is now. His medication is currently in pill form only and the doctor increased the dosage. He explained that as Teddy has grown his heart has changed — one problem has improved and another problem has worsened. Teddy will take his pills in pill pockets, but they have to watch him because sometimes he eats the pocket and then spits out the pill! Unfortunately, he has had episodes of gasping and his parents help him work through them by rubbing his back, as they were instructed to do. They are grateful for the support of his Sponsors. “Teddy will be loved for the rest of his life,” affirmed Larene. “Both Teddy and Pooh Bear fill our lives with happiness and joy.”
Marc 2020
Teddy loves his new life with his best feline friend Bear, his mom Larene, and his dad Jeff. Their parents enjoy watching the cats play. Teddy is stronger and usually wins any contests. Bear keeps him young and on his toes. He has two cat trees and loves to sleep with his blanket on top of the lower one; he also likes to take over the love seat! Larene says that he’s very good about taking his daily heart medicine in the evening—she has to rub it in his ear, but he knows he will get a treat afterward. Bear sits right there with him to get a treat too. The morning routine includes getting back and chin scratches and then following Larene into the kitchen. “Then he reaches up and grabs my pajamas in a teasing way and I know that I see him smile,” she laughs. The entire family loves both Teddy and Bear—they’ve brought sunshine to their home. They are honored to give Teddy a loving, kind home where he knows he’s safe and they’re appreciative of all the support from North Shore Animal League America.
November 2019
A kind and loving couple came into our Adirondack Adoption Center and fell in love with Teddy and, believe it or not, with one of Teddy’s kitten buddies, Poo Bear, also. They adopted them both! “We are so excited that the Martindales have opened up their hearts to give Teddy the best possible life even though it may be shorter,” said Deborah Oligny, North Country Initiative Director. Teddy’s cardiology report warns that his life expectancy will be limited, but he’ll have a loving home and companionship, both human and feline, for the rest of his days.
July 2019
Teddy found his vocation in life while he’s waiting for his human family. He assists the staff at our Adirondack Adoption Center location with socializing feral and semi-feral kittens. He provides them with love and comfort and teaches them that humans are okay. This nurturing helps get the kittens adopted. He’s already taken six kittens under his wing, so to speak, this year. It’s interesting that he has taken on this role because Teddy himself was shy when he was first rescued from an apartment where he’d been abandoned. There are still some times when Teddy does prefer to be alone, but usually it isn’t for long. His heart condition is stable. The dosage of his medication is the same, but now it can be compounded by a pharmacist locally. This allows staff to apply a dose of medicine to his skin and it’s absorbed directly and this is less stressful for Teddy. He’s already looking forward to the next rambunctious kittens that come his way.