THE CAT CAME BACK
Abused feline now living it up
With the exception of a limp in his step, you’d never guess what Bruce Almighty has been through.
He’s full of energy. He darts around his Regina condo, hopping onto the couch and rolling onto his back. He rolls back onto his feet and perks his head up, looking at the window where he can hear pigeons cooing outside.
Nearly three years ago, Bruce underwent trauma that tugged the heartstrings of people around the world. He’s now out of the spotlight, the attention of global media long turned elsewhere.
Bruce’s days are filled with relaxation, food and cuddles. It would be a mundane existence for any of us, but one of luxury for a cat.
“He loves love so much, and breakfast and supper are his favourite. He would eat four suppers if he could,” said Melissa Fiacco, who adopted Bruce in 2015.
Bruce is so friendly and welcoming, even to strangers, that it’s hard to believe he suffered a traumatic past.
“He’s so vulnerable. He just really trusts anybody,” said Fiacco, who works as a communications consultant in the city.
In March of 2015, Bruce was found in a northwest Regina neighbourhood with electrical tape wrapped tightly around his legs. The cruel act left Bruce with extensive damage to his legs and paws. The tape caused a lack of circulation, which caused all of the tissue below the tape to die and become infected.
In order to cover the cost of Bruce’s treatment, $5,000, the Regina Humane Society turned to crowdfunding to raise the money. Bruce’s story of animal cruelty spread far beyond Regina, getting picked up in media outlets across the world. A widespread outpouring of generosity resulted in approximately $25,000 in donations.
When it came time for adoption, the humane society received 30 applications. Fiacco was chosen by a panel of shelter staff members, who did not know the names of the applicants.
Because some tissue couldn’t be saved, Bruce’s front feet required several toe amputations, and his hind legs needed some paw grafting. Fiacco doesn’t believe Bruce is in any pain or discomfort. He gets around just fine.
Even after two years, one of the first questions Fiacco gets when meeting up with friends is, “How is Bruce?”
The humane society said it also receives about 25 inquiries about Bruce per year.
Fiacco didn’t broadcast on social media that she had adopted Bruce, and was discretionary with how many media interviews she gave.
She didn’t want Bruce to define her reputation. The knowledge that she can personally see to it that he is loved for the rest of his days is enough.
“I will never be curious about the life he has, because I know it’s a good life,” Fiacco said.