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The Corey Story

About 5 years ago, someone dropped off a big cat named Corey at our Group Home in Edmonds; Corey became a beloved addition to the home, regularly sleeping with the residents, sitting on their laps in their wheelchairs, and putting up with their sometimes awkward movements in petting him. Bernice, a 62 year old long time resident, was particularly fond of this kitty.

Recently Corey, who is a young cat, developed a bladder obstruction that was resistant to all efforts on the part of the vet to fix. After amassing a large vet bill, we learned that Corey's only hope was a complicated, specialized, and very expensive surgery. Neither the residents nor the agency had the available funds for this surgery, and it appeared that Corey might have to be euthanized - a decision that no one wanted to make.

As a last ditch effort, our administrative staff told of Corey's plight in a letter asking for help, which was faxed to every vet in the area that we could find in the phone book. To our utter relief, VCA Alderwood Companion Hospital of Lynnwood contacted us and agreed to do the surgery pro bono. Drs. Jill James and James McGill did the surgery - which happily was successful - and Corey was returned to his home recently after a two week recovery at the hospital.

As an interesting corollary, Bernice, Corey's biggest fan, was simultaneously having a life-saving surgery of her own to correct a gastrointestinal problem. Knowing that Corey was also in the hospital getting an operation gave her comfort. After a six hour surgery, Bernice has now recovered and is happy to be reunited with Corey.

We have been so touched that in these difficult economic times, these doctors recognized the value of this animal's life to our vulnerable residents, and came forward. It's been a lesson in kindness that has benefitted us all.

This story was recently written about in The Herald newspaper. Check it out!