By Sharon Wylie, Crash’s Landing
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet — or few — from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
In mid-March 2016, Dr. Jen received an email from Sara at the Humane Society of West Michigan asking if Dr. Jen could take in a shelter transfer from Allegan County that tested double positive—meaning he had both Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Viruses. If that wasn’t enough, this fine fella (born in March of 2012) came to them sporting a nasty open wound on his left elbow that needed to be surgically repaired, was intact, teeming with fleas and greasy and grimy due to hormonally induced stud-tail.
When Dr. Jen got him two days later, he had been neutered and sutured but was still inhabited by those pesky buggers, needed a bath in a big way and would greatly benefit from a dental cleaning. No worries though, as suds and soaking spiffed him up nicely and his pearly whites were sparkling in no time! Although timid and shy, this guy proved to be quite sweet, just a bit out of his element—totally understandable considering the whirlwind events of the days prior to his arrival.
Dr. Jen and Tully embarked on a quiet friendship that involved reassuring head rubs and soothing praises while she encouraged him to spoil himself a little with the smorgasbord provided; we know the way to one’s heart is often through the tummy! This reserved, reticent boy had to be enticed to partake in the finer things in life, something that continued once he made his way down to our sanctuary.
Given his tendency towards reclusiveness and preference of the shadows versus the spotlight, our attentive volunteers make sure they calmly draw Tully out, literally and figuratively, each and every time they are in his presence, so that he realizes he is now safe and out of harm’s way. Considering how docile and demure he is, there is no doubt that he was not the aggressor, but rather the victim, when he was out and about on his own for who knows how long; this saddens us to no end. He is such a modest, non-threatening, tranquil creature that Dr. Jen chose his Irish name as it means ‘calmness’ and ‘peacefulness’.
Slowly but surely, under the gentle guidance of his devoted caretakers, Tully is coming out of his shell, poking his head out for those pets that he craves but doesn’t always ask for. That is OK because we are great at reading non-verbal cues and have no problem going to him and slathering him with affection! In time we have no doubt that this sweet boy’s true colors and inner strength will shine through, and he will fully grasp what that he is a fabulous force to be reckoned with.
More about Tully:
- Large
- Domestic Short Hair
- Adult
- Male
- Black & White/Tuxedo
- House-trained
- Vaccinations up to date
- Neutered
- Not declawed
Want to adopt Tully? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
Interested in volunteering at one of the cat shelters? Email volunteer@crashslanding.org.
Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!
Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.
