Kelsey, a self-confessed dog, never expected to adopt a cat when she worked at an animal shelter, but one of these felines convinced her otherwise.
Bruno was diagnosed medically blind and was being treated at the animal shelter hospital. Unfortunately, Bruno had medical issues and suspected Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) and unlike his siblings, he hadn’t found his forever home.
Kelsey enjoyed being “office housekeeper” while she worked at the shelter, and when she found Bruno meowing, she decided he could come and keep her company while she was at the office.
“He kind of lived in my office with me and slept on my shoulders while I worked. I knew he was like the funniest little kitty because he was always in a good mood and loved everyone who came to see him,” Kelsey recalled.
After their office romance, Kelsey decided to adopt little Bruno, but there was a problem – her nine-year-old pup, Ed, who historically hates cats.
Kelsey decided to slowly introduce them to each other. Within a week, Kelsey said, “they were playing with each other and being absolute best friends.”
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“I always say, Ed is my dog and Bruno is Ed’s cat,” Kelsey jokes.
While Bruno may be blind, Kelsey and her fiancé think he can see “something”, but not very well. He loves to run, but he always bumps into things, but he gets rid of them and keeps going – there’s nothing stopping this kitty from playing!
“I really don’t know how he hunts. I guess it has something to do with his sense of hearing because he can catch a fly in the air. And then we’ll play with his cat wand and he’ll be like a foot and completely miss, so… [laughs]says Kelsey.
“I never thought of myself as a cat person. I’ve worked in animal shelters for a decade and love cats, but I really had no idea cats could have such a special bond with people, but Bruno and I are like two peas in a pod .
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Unfortunately, Kelsey adopted Bruno knowing he was sick and could die at any time.
“Every time he got to the point where I thought we were going to lose him, everything changed and I fought so hard to find resources and medicine and things that would cure him.”
But with Kelsey’s expert mum skills, Bruno is doing just fine and very healthy. The only side effects of his ongoing treatment are his extreme appetite – but most cat owners would tell him that might not just be the medication! – and he gained a few pounds.
Watch Bruno’s full story below: