SPS

And so the story begins ...

Rio in her early days at SPS.

So the next day, the SPS crew stopped by the factory – supposedly with no intention of adopting yet another cat. What they found was Rio, a malnourished, dehydrated, female feline resting alone at the side of the road. She was pitiful. And she looked as though she were barely alive. We were sure that we had found the cat that our driver had told us about.

Before long, John returned with food, water, and a pet carrier. Rio had found a new family.

However, even food and water could not solve the health problems faced by Rio. The side of her head was swollen with infection. She was unusually small. And her legs were weak, wobbly, and unbalanced. Rio would spend the rest of the weekend in quarantine in the SPS warehouse awaiting her appointment with the vet on Monday.

On Monday, we anxiously introduced Rio to our UPS driver who had originally inspired the rescue. We were shocked to learn that we had rescued the wrong cat! Although the odds are against it, we had gone to the factory looking for one cat, and had stumbled upon a different one. But our driver said it best when he said, "This one needs your help more, anyway." At that moment, we were committed. Rio was going to live – come hell or high water!

Later that day, the vet took one look at Rio and asked with grave – almost suspicious – concern, "What happened to this little kitty?" A brief explanation was followed by this dark advice: "Don’t spend any money on her. She is unlikely to live past the week."

Despite the unfortunate prediction, SPS purchased antibiotic for the infection and returned Rio to the warehouse where she would spend the next several months slowly improving. Before long, the infection in her face had disappeared. Rio was responding well to her daily interaction with the team. And she received – and returned – lots of love and affection.

For the next several months, her progress was steady. In August, she received her shots and had gained some weight. However, her weight gain was very slow – despite the fact that she ate constantly!

Then one day in October, Rio’s condition took a sudden turn for the worst. Although she had been active and awake in the morning, she was unable to walk in the afternoon. Her back legs had become cramped, her tongue was hanging out, and she was clearly disoriented.

That evening, we took her to the emergency clinic where she received a sub-epidermal saline injection. And the following day, she returned to the vet for yet another SPS-sponsored doctor visit. It appeared that she may have a rare pancreatic enzyme deficiency. If so, her case would be documented, and she would become famous in the veterinary medical journals. She would stay at the vet’s office for testing.

Three days and $500 later, all tests were returned negative. We were reunited with our feline companion who was feeling much better. But we still had no clue as to the root of her problems. The vet’s only suggestion: a change in diet.

Today, Rio lives with John, Jen, and their 3 other cats. She has gained several pounds. She eats only IAMS brand cat food. And she is healthier and happier than she has ever been.

For us, Rio is a daily reminder that, no matter what, we should never – ever – give up. And she is proof that miracles really do happen!

Sad news about Rio the Miracle Cat

We are very sorry to report that after four wonderful years, Rio the Miracle Cat’s life came to an end on May 21, 2002.

Despite a history of consistently improving health – with very few illnesses or complications since changing her diet in 1998, she suddenly contracted an eye infection/irritation in the middle of April, 2002. A topical medication prescribed by the veterinarian quickly alleviated the problem with the eye. But at the same time, she contracted some digestive problems and had trouble keeping food down.

By the end of April, she had taken a complete turn for the worst and had become weak and clearly ill. A trip to the vet confirmed her extremely poor blood cell counts. Red cells, white cells, and platelets were lower than the doctors had ever seen on any other living cat. Leave it to Rio to amaze us all with her will to live – even as she was dying!

We decided on a blood transfusion (thanks to OP, the resident feline at Suburban Veterinary Clinic.) But the clinic’s team of doctors – including a specialized internist - had examined Rio closely, and their diagnosis was grim: something from Rio’s youth had most likely done irreparable damage to her bone marrow. And after four years, it appeared as though her marrow had simply stopped producing blood. If so, there was no long-term solution. Once the benefits of the transfusion had worn off, Rio would be in extremely grave danger.

Fortunately, the transfusion injected Rio with a new lease on life. And she spent the next three weeks at home with Jen, John, and her five siblings, leading a normal, happy, and very loving life.

However, as the doctors had predicted, the respite was indeed temporary. By the third week in May, Rio’s condition had again deteriorated to the point that she could not walk and could not eat. By Tuesday morning, May 21, it was clear that she was suffering. So we made a decision that, to this day, is so painful that it cannot be described in words. We took her to the clinic for the last time and ended her suffering with an injection.

For us, Rio was much more than a company mascot. She was a friend, a family member, and an inspiration. She was – and is – a constant reminder that the love of family and friends is worth fighting for. And her refusal to surrender – even under the darkest of circumstances – is a quality that we will forever admire and emulate.

We will miss her greatly.

SPS has made a charitable donation in Rio’s memory to the Society for the Improvement of Conditions for Stray Animals (SICSA.) And we have committed to matching any additional donations (up to $1000.00 each) made in Rio’s name. If you wish to make a donation, please send it to:

SICSA
PO Box 292463
Kettering, OH 45429
Attn: Memorial Funds/Rio from SPS

If you would like to learn more about SICSA or the Rio fund, please visit their website at http://www.sicsa.org or call Andy Lloyd at 937-294-6505 ext 12. (Please note: If you send a donation, please be sure to reference ‘Rio from SPS’ or ‘Rio the Miracle Cat’ so that SICSA will contact SPS about the matching donation.)

Thanks to all who have inquired about Rio and sent your best wishes. Your caring and compassion is greatly appreciated.