Dying woman’s last wish for cats
Doctors have given Suzanne Paul nine months to live, now she’s racing against time to rehome 24 cats she rescued over the years. By Torika Tokalau.
A woman who has only months to live is hoping to fulfil her final wish by finding new homes for 23 old older cats she has rescued over 21 years.
Suzanne Paul, 77, of Mt Roskill inWest Auckland, was told she would only have nine months to live after doctors discovered a tumour the size of an egg in her uterus in September.
The news wasn’t a shock to Paul – since 2013 she’s noticed her energy decrease. Three years ago she said she didn’t even have the energy to cook. Doctors kept putting it down to her age, and she also developed arthritis, bad knees and back.
In March, when New Zealand was in lockdown, Paul started experiencing excruciating pain in her abdomen. Every time she sat down, ‘‘felt like I was sitting on a knife’’.
Tests after tests showed nothing until incidental finding by doctors discovered the tumour.
Haunting words followed: she only had nine months to live, six if things got worse. The cancer was incurable and inoperable.
‘‘They said the cancer was everywhere. I wasn’t surprised, I just sat there and thought, OK, what happens now?’’
Shewas provided options of chemotherapy and a possibility of a hysterectomy if that worked.
Her immediate thoughts was of her cats. Working alongside animal groups, through the years Paul had rescued old cats
that people didn’t want to adopt. Today, she has 23 colony and stray cats, ranging from five to 20 years old.
The oldest of the cats, Whiskers, is a domestic shorthair cat, and the youngest are All Black, Flash and Cash, who were dumped on her door step days before Christmas, three years ago.
Paul said it’s her priority to see the cats go to new homes.
‘‘Everything else is sorted,
I’ve done my funeral arrangements and my will, this is the only thing left to do.’’
‘‘When I die, therewon’t be
anything left in this house. I’ve spent years caring for these guys, and they can’t be left to their own devices.’’
Community Cat Coalition’s Jewels Annabell said all the cats would be desexed and microchipped before they were rehomed.
Great South Vets in Papatoetoe, south Auckland, has agreed to treat any health conditions the furry animals may have for half the price.
Annabell said they urgently need people to come forward to offer homes for the cats, ‘‘before it’s too late’’ but people should understand the cats deserved a lot of patience, care and love, and theywould bematched with the right people.
‘‘Every one wants a cute little kitten, not an older cat, some with health issues,’’ Annabell said.
‘‘Each one is different from the other, they give unconditionally and the worse things about it is that you can treat them abominably, and they’d still love you.’’
Annabell said inquiries can be made to her directly on 021 633 699 or to secretary@catcoalition. org.nz