What breed do you think they are?
Alexa Chapman arrived at her local animal shelter with one goal: to meet Merlin, a senior tabby cat who had recently been surrendered because of serious dental problems.
Through her rescue organization, Longleaf Animal Rescue, Chapman hoped to give the elderly cat the fresh start he deserved.
She didn’t know much about Merlin’s past when she picked him up. But as she sat in her car and looked through his paperwork, she discovered something unexpected — a handwritten note from the woman who had cared for him.
Within moments, Chapman was in tears.
The note described Merlin as a gentle, loving cat with a distinctive cauliflower ear. But it quickly became clear that it was much more than a description of his personality. It was a desperate plea from a woman who loved him deeply but could no longer afford the medical care he desperately needed.
“He cannot swallow,” the woman wrote. “He gags and chokes on food. It terrifies him, and he has stopped eating over the past few days.”
According to the note, Merlin had been struggling with the problem for months, and his condition was getting worse.
The woman was caring for a colony of 26 cats. She did everything she could for them, including having them spayed or neutered and vaccinated. She also tried to make Merlin’s meals easier for him by giving him wet food with gravy.
Still, she could hear the pain every time he ate.
“When he chokes, you can hear loud grinding, like teeth grinding, at the back of his throat,” she wrote.
Chapman was devastated to learn that Merlin had been living with so much discomfort. But what affected her most was how much his former owner loved him.
“I love him. I would take care of him forever,” the woman wrote. “All 26 [cats] are neutered and vaccinated — by my effort, but I don’t have money for veterinary care beyond that. Please be kind to this lovely boy.”
Chapman knew she had to let the woman know that Merlin was finally safe.
She called her as soon as she could and explained that she had taken him into the rescue.
The conversation was filled with tears.
“She started crying because she didn’t think anyone was going to help him; she just didn’t want him to suffer,” Chapman told The Dodo. “She was heartbroken to have to surrender him … She wants him to be safe and loved.”
Chapman promised that Merlin would be exactly that.
She brought him home as a foster and arranged a veterinary appointment as quickly as possible. After examining him, the veterinary team determined that removing his damaged teeth surgically would give him the best chance at living comfortably again.
Despite everything he had endured, Merlin remained incredibly affectionate.
“Merlin has been the sweetest boy from the very beginning,” Chapman said. “Most cats don’t like to be picked up, but Merlin loves to be held and pet while he makes biscuits in the air.”
And when Chapman scratches him in just the right spot, Merlin even sticks his little tongue out.
After undergoing his dental surgery, Merlin spent several days recovering. Thankfully, he is now feeling much better and can finally enjoy his days without the constant pain that had troubled him for so long.
Now, the rescue is searching for a permanent home for him.
Merlin would be happiest with someone who is retired or works from home because his favorite place is right in a person’s lap. Chapman also hopes his future family can provide him with a catio, allowing the formerly feral cat to safely enjoy the sunshine and fresh air.
For now, Merlin has everything he needs: a safe place to sleep, people who adore him and the chance to finally heal.
Chapman hopes the right person will soon see what she sees in him.
“Brown tabby cats often get overlooked in the shelter; I am so happy that Merlin’s story has resonated with people,” Chapman said. “He’s one of the kindest cats I’ve ever met.”