The Tail of 2 Bobbies

We are in search of a family missing an unusually bonded cat and dog.

In all of the thousands of heartbreaking reports of lost pets filed right after Hurricane Katrina, was one about a cat and dog who would be traveling together. They both had bobbed tails.

Now the detective work has already begun by the Stealth Volunteers to find that e-mail with the family’s contact information because two bobtails, one a cat and one a dog were brought to Celebration Station.

A few days ago, a construction worker showed up with a dog and a cat. He didn't have a phone number where we can contact him again. Too bad, he may be the hero responsible for reuniting this “Incredible Journey” couple with their family.

For right now, since they have not heard anyone call them by their name for so many months, we have given them temporary ones. The girl dog is “Bobbi” and the boy cat is “Bobby” or “Bob” for short.

The construction worker told us the dog and cat showed up and started hanging out with his dog. Because they were both very thin, the worker began feeding them.

The man said he tried to pick up the cat a couple of times but the dog would growl. He said he also found out that if he tried to separate them, the dog would “bark her head off.”

After about a week, he was told he could not keep the cat and dog with him. He was not about to abandon them on the street, so he brought them to us.

The cat has blue eyes but it took us awhile to figure out why they were different looking - the cat is blind.

No doubt the feeding stations set up by AnimalRescueNewOrleans.com volunteers were the thing that kept these two from dying. But it is hard to fathom how this unimposing, sweet-natured dog protected her cat, keeping him out of danger from packs of dogs, all of the debris that is still covering so much of New Orleans and unkind people.

Whichever angel was sent to guide their steps did a very good job.

There was no way we could even consider separating them. It’s been a bit of a challenge because Celebration Station is not set up for odd couples.

So for the first few days they have been staying in a very large crate and the cat has a smaller crate inside that. That way the dog knows her kitty is safe and can sleep by him. The plan is for them to move into an RV with people.

We have an extended hold on these two because we are making every effort to find their family.

But what we are hoping for is that their stay with us will be very short. It is obvious these brave travelers were loved pets and our sincere hope is we find their family.

And no matter what, the Best Friends solemn vow to "Bobbi" and "Bobby" is that we will not ever allow them to be split up. If their family is not found after an extensive search, they will onlly be adopted out as a pair.

Story by Barbara Williamson
Photos by Barb Davis

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Note: All animals rescued in New Orleans are first taken to the Louisiana SPCA for triage where photos are taken and uploaded and vaccinations given before heading to the Best Friends rescue center at Celebration Station where animals are held for 5 days before being placed for adoption.