Home for the holidays: A little kitty love goes a long way to warm this pandemic holiday season

Susan Wilson adopted a kitten before COVID-19 rolled into B.C., making a potentially lonely isolation period much better.

A little orange-and-white cat named Merlin was the only kitten available when Wilson was looking to adopt at the end of April 2020.

“We bonded with each other as soon as I saw him,” she said in an SPCA press release.

Little Merlin was not in good shape, though. He was experiencing seizures and needed to stay with the veterinarian for monitoring. However, a couple days into his stay with the local clinic, and his seizures stopped. After some TLC from foster volunteers, he was strong enough for adoption.

“I was sure I wanted him regardless of the possible medical issues, so I adopted him,”  Wilson who added that Merlin is now “thriving” and living without seizures.

Prior to adopting Merlin, Wilson says she was all alone for six weeks. “

I live alone and the driveway visits I had been having with other people weren’t very long due to the weather. When I got Merlin, he was the first living thing I had touched for almost two months. He sure felt good!”

Due to COVID-19, her Christmas will be quiet, she said.

“Merlin’s company to me at Christmas is special because I love him so much and I know that he loves me too,” she said.

Wilson said the friends in her bubble have also embraced Merlin.

“He loves to play with his uncle and get scratches from grandma. It’s going to be nice to have another loved one around at Christmas, but also every day. Merlin’s company is important to me any day of the year. He’s my family.”

As for whether she would recommend adopting a pet during the pandemic, Wilson said yes “but only if you know that your pet is going to continue to get love and care no matter the circumstances. Don’t get a pet unless you have the time and are ready to treat them like the other members of your family.”

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