With a thud, his tiny gray paws hit the floor, echoing like a galloping horse as he races down the hallway. He comes around the corner, skidding to a stop and bouncing off the wall—literally. Shaking his head, he looks up at me before launching himself into the air to tackle Luna, the much larger cat who shares our space. With his paws clinging to Luna’s neck, it looks like he’s trying to ride a mechanical bull.
Meet Baxter, our pandemic kitten. As my kids put it, “he’s a little wild.”
I never imagined our family would become a multi-cat household. Luna has been with us for over two years, and while he’s a handsome creature with luxurious black fur and striking green eyes, he embodies aloofness. He craves our presence but rarely offers much in the way of entertainment or affection. After a couple of months of being homebound due to the pandemic, I began to mull over the kids’ persistent pleas for another furry friend. My daughter, Mia, was particularly adamant about getting a kitten and insisted on having naming rights. She even offered to cover the rescue fees and promised to handle the litter box. I knew the last part was a stretch; while Mia is responsible, she’s also 13, and phrases like “always” and “forever” are often used loosely. With the agreement from my other children, we began scouring online listings and, before long, discovered Baxter through a local animal rescue.
The plan was for Baxter to stay in Mia’s room for the first few weeks as we gradually introduced him to Luna. Once we felt confident they could coexist peacefully, we’d allow him to roam the rest of the house. In those initial two weeks, Baxter brought us more joy and entertainment than we ever anticipated. He was a cuddly little ball of energy, often falling asleep in our arms or on our laps. His playtime antics were endless, whether he was chasing shadows or pouncing on our feet, and he could leap impressively high to catch the elusive dot from a laser pointer.
But this was a 2020 kitten, born during a pandemic, so naturally, things couldn’t go smoothly. Baxter remained his energetic self, full of mischief until he suddenly started having trouble with his bathroom habits. Instead of using the litter box, he began “leaking” all over the place. Mia’s room transformed from a fun play area to a hazardous zone, where we tiptoed around, fearful of stepping on a “landmine,” with the aftermath of his accidents scattered everywhere. Just as 2020 turned into a chaotic mess, so did our home life. I found myself constantly cleaning up after Baxter and giving him multiple baths daily. Despite his dislike for the baths, he would curl up in a towel afterward and sleep in our arms, a little bundle of chaos.
In just four weeks, Baxter racked up over $1,000 in vet bills. Mia and I made several trips to the vet, waiting in the car (the new normal during COVID). After x-rays, bloodwork, and an enema, the vet diagnosed him with a condition called mega-colon. While chatting with the vet over the phone, Mia mispronounced it as “mega-co-lawn.” At first, we were confused, but as she described the situation, we caught on and couldn’t help but giggle. It was a much-needed light moment amidst the frustration of the diagnosis.
Essentially, mega-colon means Baxter’s colon expands as it fills up but lacks the ability to push anything out. The vet noted that this condition is rare, especially in kittens. However, once diagnosed, we could move forward with treatment—a costly prescription diet and medication every eight hours. Under normal circumstances, I might have hesitated, but these were no normal times, and Baxter was no ordinary cat. Even the vet and staff noted how special he was—gentle, playful, and resilient, you’d never guess how sick he truly was. The vet remarked multiple times how fortunate Baxter was to have found us; any other family might have returned him to the rescue, where he could have faced euthanization.
Months have passed, and we finally got his condition under control. Mia’s room has been repainted, cleaned, and sanitized. Baxter and Luna have adjusted to each other. I’ve set alarms on my phone to remind me to feed Baxter small meals throughout the day and administer his stool softener. It may seem over-the-top for a kitten not even six months old, but it has brought a sense of order and predictability to our lives—something we all crave during these turbulent times.
Baxter has acquired several nicknames. To Mia, he’s simply Baxter after an invisible space cat from a goofy YouTube video. To my husband, he’s Cor-Cor, the Coronavirus kitty. Sometimes we affectionately call him Co-lon, emphasizing the last syllable. For a time, I referred to him as Shitty Kitty. Regardless of what we call him, he has brought laughter and joy to my children during a challenging period. He has provided Mia with companionship during a time of isolation and uncertainty, and his playful antics have given us countless moments of amusement. He reminds me of life with a toddler as I rescue him from the dishwasher and teach him that ice is cold and the oven is hot. Baxter serves as a welcome distraction from the chaotic world outside, reminding us to find humor and joy in curiosity, and that love and fun can flourish even in the messiest of situations.
For more insights and engaging stories, check out this related blog post on home insemination. If you’re considering options, resources like Make A Mom can provide valuable information on self insemination. For a comprehensive understanding of the topic, this Wikipedia article is an excellent resource.
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- What is mega-colon in cats?
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In summary, our journey with Baxter has been a rollercoaster ride of challenges and joy. His presence has brightened our home, serving as a reminder that even in tough times, love and laughter can thrive.
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