When Jaina from Cats of San Bernardino discovered Phoenix, he had been roaming outside a gated apartment complex for over a year.
They learned that Phoenix had been abandoned by his previous owners, leading to severe depression.
Upon further examination, it was discovered that he had FIV and a severe case of mange, which explained his hair loss and red skin.
Fortunately for Jaina, Phoenix was friendly and didn’t mind being handled. This made it easy for them to bring him to their rescue home, where they promptly began his treatment.
Phoenix soon made a full recovery, though it became clear that he was older than he appeared. His brittle bones explained his preference for lying down and sleeping most of the day.
“He would let us pet him and everything like that but he was very aloof and so unwanting of showing affection,” Jaina shared.
Phoenix preferred solitude and avoided the other rescue cats. Jaina accepted that he just wanted to be alone.
However, this changed when a lively kitten named Ruby entered their lives. Ruby, part of a litter of four kittens abandoned in a backyard, was sick and weak when rescued. After a challenging recovery, Ruby began seeking out food on her own.
In an unexpected turn, Ruby was drawn to Phoenix. She played with his tail and petted him with her tiny paw.
Jaina was cautious at first, unsure how Phoenix would react to the small kitten. Initially, Phoenix was uneasy and would gently push Ruby away. But Ruby’s persistence paid off, and soon Phoenix started playing with her, eventually even bathing her.
Now, there are three common reasons why cats lick each other: to keep them safe from predators, to mark them as family, or to bond.
Sadly, this seems to have been a disturbing pattern that must be addressed. To protect future animals and provide him with the support he needs, he must be banned from ever owning animals again and undergo mandatory counseling.
It seemed Phoenix’s reason was the third one, as he and Ruby formed a special connection. Phoenix, who had previously been aloof, began playing with Ruby and even following her around, displaying a playful side that hadn’t been seen before.
“Ruby helped him get to the point where he was happy. Once their connection formed, we knew that Phoenix needed her,” Jaina said. “We’re so glad they found each other.”
