09/04/2026
Spunky - a Lesson in Strength
** Warning: some pictures are graphic
There are some souls who enter our lives not just to share our space, but to show us what it truly means to fight. Spunky was one of those rare spirits, proving that immense courage often beats within the smallest and most fragile of frames. Her story is one that I will never forget.
It all started with a phone call from John, an owner who desperately wanted help for his one year-old cat, Spunky. She had been in a fight with raccoons and had some puncture wounds on her side that had been shaved, cleaned and bandaged at Blue Pearl, just 24hrs prior. Going back there for help was not an option so he was reaching out to us for help.
It was obvious from pictures that the wound was infected and getting worse each day. Spunky’s life was in danger, there was no question, we had to help.
Arriving at John’s house in Neshkoro, I found a very concerned owner and a sweet but weak 8lb cat. John put his trust in me and that was all I needed. I scooped her up and headed directly to the Lakeside Animal Hospital in Oshkosh.
For the next 5wks, Spunky was in the very compassionate & capable hands of Dr. Kyle Ruedinger and the technicians at the clinic. Early on, there were times we weren’t sure if she could beat the infection or if the wound would heal.
But heal it did, Spunky’s resilience and courage paid off!
Special thanks also to Nicole Wendt, foster mom extraordinaire.
