Tiny came into our lives at the end of 1997, when "Santa" left me a note saying I could bring a kitten home from the Animal Shelter. I had had my eye on a spunky little red tabby but I realized that the little partially crippled kitten the other volunteers were calling "Noel" needed a home more than any of the other cats or kittens.

Our dear Animal Control Officer had rescued the half-grown kitten and her mother from an abusive owner, but not before the kitten had sustained injuries to her back and spine that made her wobble as she moved unsteadily around. I don't know what cruel handling the kitten endured but it had left no blemish on her personality--she was out-going and affectionate and desperate to be loved.

So she got a new home for Christmas.

I had plans to give her an elaborate name but "Tiny" stuck and stayed. She would never be a robust cat but she was determined and tough and ever so happy to be in a home where she was loved. Whatever darkness lay in her past, it was forgotten--she looked into the future with bright eyes and an eager attitude and charmed us with her personality.

But she carries a legacy of pain and fragile health and as she reached middle age, it was obvious that she was fighting against chronic pain in her back. Her temper could be short and sometimes she was just cranky to be around, though it was no fault of her own. We tried several medications for her pain but nothing really seemed to make her comfortable unti our vet suggested we try gabapentin.

Tiny's Page is still under construction. Please check back soon for more updates to Tiny's story.