Cleo joined the League's Sponsor Program in 2002. Cleo is a grey, female domestic short hair Tabby cat who was dropped at our shelter when she was very young. When she arrived, she was suffering from a serious upper respiratory infection. Though we treated her with medication, her recovery never came. Cleo soon developed an abscess between her eyes and suffered from chronic high fever. Our veterinary staff diagnosed her with chronic Frontal Sinusitis – a severe sinus problem that will remain a life-long challenge. Since she arrived, her condition has required surgery on several occasions to ease her discomfort.

Cleo needs a tremendous amount of care and patience. She currently resides in a foster care home. The League continues to keep a very close eye on her and continues the search for her perfect pet parents and her forever home.

Cleo's Updates

2nd Quarter 2009
Since there's been plenty of rain recently, Cleo's sinuses are favorably moist and most of the bad stuff in the air which discomforts her has been kept at bay. You can always tell when Cleo's feeling well because she will play a game of "tag" with her foster parent. He will chase her down the hall and then run away. She will then chase after him and swat the back of his foot until he stops and begins to chase her again. It is an amazingly silly game, but she loves it when she is feeling well! And her foster parent is happy to appease her! Forever the conscientious hostess, Cleo one again positioned herself on a chair at the dining room table when company came over so that she could see everyone and listen intently to all conversation. She even surprised the guests when she cuddled next to her new (human) baby cousin. Who could blame her - the baby was seated on an awfully comfortable looking pillow that dear Cleo could not resist!

1st Quarter 2009
When the Christmas tree was up in Cleo's house, she adored the shiny ornaments! As they were decorating, Cleo would hop up on the table, slap an ornament off with her paw and then go chasing after it. The funny thing was that once the ornaments were on the tree, she knew not to touch them. During their New Year's celebration, Cleo insisted on joining everyone at the table. She kept jumping up on her foster parent's shoulders and jumping up on to a chair and then putting her paws on the table and generally being a nuisance until her foster parent set up a chair with pillows so she could see. Then, like magic, she curled up, settled into the pillows and watched everyone chatting away and enjoying their food. She just wanted to be included as part of the family - and she was a great addition!

4th Quarter 2008
Our dear Cleo seems to be feeling fine. She's back to her old antics of always being the center of attention. Whenever company comes to visit her foster care home, she needs to know exactly who everyone is and what the agenda is for their stay. If they are seated at the table for a meal, she'll try and situate herself in the best vantage point possible, preferably on one of the chairs, just like a guest! All kidding aside, we are thrilled that Cleo feels so comfortable and on the same level as a human - she's come such a long way!

3rd Quarter 2008
Cleo, full of aggravating allergies and all, is hanging in there as best she can. , as always, seems to be riding on the same allergy roller coaster that so many people are on this time of year. On the good days, she is a handful who demands attention and will go as far as to sway playfully at your heels if you walk away and she is not satisfied with the rub you have given her. If you get too far away, she will simply wait until you are seated and then leap into your lap so you can finish the job. On the bad days, she simply sleeps all day and all night long while constantly cleaning her face of tears from her runny eyes (in addition to her usual nose blowing).

2nd Quarter 2008
We are happy to report that Cleo seems to be feeling well. She is happy with her normal daily household routine of eating, napping, looking out the window, snacking and napping again! When her foster family is home with her, she is eager to please them by sitting on top of their laps or right by their head on the pillows of the couch as they watch television.

1st Quarter 2008
Cleo's household recently had quite a bit of company and Cleo made the most of it by showing what a great hostess she can be. She made sure to sit in a chair at the dining table when guests were eating, to keep at least one person's lap warm when watching television and to not only welcome but also spend time with each and every person who entered her home. She even alternated between sleeping with the guests and her foster parents, so that no one person would feel left out. Her foster parents were really proud of her, especially when a few of the guests commented, “If only all cats were like Cleo, I might actually become a cat person!” After company left however, Cleo recovered by sleeping for 3 days straight!

4th Quarter 2007
The cooler weather and early fall allergens are already beginning to affect poor Cleo's sinuses. Her eyes have begun watering and she spends several minutes after each nap clearing her head out. If only she knew to wait for a tissue before she "blows," she could get some relief. Sadly, she has not learned this yet and has already had several cases of explosive sneezes either covering her or her foster parents in spray.

3rd Quarter 2007
Other than Cleo's chronic allergies and nasal problems, everything seems to be right on track. She can be cautious one moment, silly the next, but every day she's living the happy life she truly deserves.

2nd Quarter 2007
Cleo is a real card! She has such a unique and interesting personality. She likes to “break chops” and push the envelope. Her foster dad says that Cleo likes to test him and go where she knows she's not allowed. She also likes to cram herself into the tightest spaces and gets cranky if she has to move. Her foster dad says that Cleo is often stubborn, sometimes spiteful and always a total pleasure to have around. He says that Cleo is like a mirror image of him!

1st Quarter 2007
Cleo has finally settled in from the move. Her foster parents left her some packing paper to play with since she seemed to love it so much, but after a couple of weeks, it seems to have lost its appeal. Cleo's nasal problems haven't improved much and she still needs her spa treatments to assist with her breathing. These treatments are much needed relief for Cleo, especially after being pestered for hours by her foster brother Jules. They do Cleo wonders, and we want her to be as comfortable as possible.

4th Quarter 2006
Cleo, as you know, is our kitty with the endless stuffy nose. The drier weather continues to have a negative affect on her sinuses. Due to her allergies, she gets a little cranky in Fall and is not nearly as tolerant of her parents or her foster Brother, Jules. Jules teases his Sister with licking and before long ends up being tackled by Cleo! Her foster parents continue to provide her with "spa treatments" (steam from the bathroom shower) which give Cleo much needed temporary sinus relief!

3rd Quarter 2006
Cleo, like her foster brother also loves to look out the window during the warmer months as well as the cooler. Since our last update, the summer months took its toll on Cleo's sinus problem. The air conditioning makes the mucous dry up while inside her nasal cavity. This makes her cough and as her foster father puts it, she sounds like she has a smoker's cough! To combat this, her foster parents ‘steam her' and by this we mean they keep her in the bathroom when they take their showers. Sometimes they will just run the water for her when they aren't taking a shower if she really needs it. It seems to help loosen her sinuses up and then when she sneezes, it clears up a bit.

2nd Quarter 2006
With the warm weather here Cleo has her good days and her bad days. While the apartment where she lives has air filters, she loves staring out open windows and feeling the cool breeze, but after that it isn't long before the sniffling starts. On her really bad days her eyes water constantly and her personality changes from happy cat in the middle of everything to mellow cat laying on top of the computer wanting to be left alone. Just like a person with bad allergies, Cleo just sometimes needs to take a break. Her foster mom and dad try to make her more comfortable by wiping her nose for her and helping her out after her really big sneezes. Cleo doesn't only think about herself when she doesn't feel well. Not long ago her foster mom caught a virus and Cleo rarely left her side the whole time she was sick.  What a girl!

1st Quarter 2006
Cleo has been going through some more of her usual sniffles and snorts. Sadly it's just the way Cleo is. When she doesn't feel so well, she becomes very needy and commands the attention of her foster care Mom and Dad. Where ever they are sitting she's on one of their laps or in between the two of them. Cleo didn't let her sniffles put a damper on all the fun of wrapping paper and boxes all over the apartment this holiday season. She was actually running and jumping onto a flattened shirt box and sliding a little ways on it! Despite the sniffles Cleo sure knows how to have fun and that makes all of us very happy.

December 2005
Cleo's foster care dad recently had some shoulder surgery and sleeping upright in a chair was the only way he could be comfortable. With the exception of a single incident where dear Cleo jumped up onto his father's injured shoulder—she kept her father great company while he recuperated. While this has all been going on, her foster care parents have noticed that Cleo's eyes have been watering non-stop since the weather started turning cooler. Her eye crusties are cleaned every night by her loving caregivers who also turn on the humidifier to offer her a little more comfort. It is because of your kindness that Cleo and the other special needs animals are enjoying a new leash on life.

November 2005
If you didn't know better, you might think that Cleo was a dog. In the evening, she sits by the door waiting for her foster care parents to come home. As soon as she hears footsteps outside and the key in the door, she begins pacing and meowing. Once her parents are inside, she races around the house, jumps on the furniture, and begs to be played with. Cleo's nose and eyes are still a bit runny, but they don't seem to be bothering her much. Her foster care parents, bless their hearts, are constantly wiping them, trying to keep everything clear so that nothing gets infected. Thank you for being such a good friend to Cleo and the other special needs animals. Your love and support allows them to live their lives in comfort and in health.

October 2005
For weeks, Cleo had been sneezing on everyone and everything. Not only was this very messy, but her foster care parents were concerned that Cleo's sinuses would become clogged and infected. Thankfully, her sinuses have cleared and her foster care parents are grateful that the sneezing has stopped. Cleo's eyes remain crusty and runny, but it doesn't seem to bother her at all. Cleo is now enjoying the cool days – both for the improved air quality and for the sights and smells coming through the now open windows. Many of our special needs animals like Cleo came from difficult beginnings. Your generous support allows them a second chance to experience health and happiness. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

September 2005
Cleo has been breathing freely for weeks now, so her foster care parents were determined to get some pictures of her without a runny nose. One problem, however – Cleo hates to have her picture taken. She will run and hide as soon as the camera comes out of the drawer – she really is camera shy! One afternoon while Cleo slept, her foster care Mom quietly got the camera out. In the meantime, Dad began to play with one of Cleo's toys – the sound of the little bell immediately woke Cleo. Cleo loves to play – so much so that she didn't see Mom with the camera – right away anyway. Mom was able to click off a few shots, but as soon as Cleo realized what was happening, she quickly ran off to hide. Once the pictures are processed, we'll be sure to share the images with you. Thank you so much for allowing us to care for Cleo and the other special needs animals. Your love and support makes it all possible.

August 2005
Cleo feels much better after a thunderstorm – the drenching rain washes away the allergens that can make her so miserable. Her foster care parents do all they can to make Cleo as comfortable as possible, but nothing seems to help as much as a good soaking downpour. But no matter how Cleo feels, she's always got a voracious appetite. It's a good thing she's a very active kitty – it helps keep that healthy eating in check! Thank you for always being there for Cleo and the other special needs animals. Your love and support makes a world of difference in their lives.

June 2005
Poor Cleo has been suffering from allergies these days – her sinuses are clogged and her eyes won't stop watering. Her foster care parents have been doing all they can to make Cleo as comfortable as possible – keeping her nose and eyes clean – in the hopes that she won't develop a sinus infection. Cleo has been a bit moody because of her stuffed head – who can blame her – but thankfully, this past week she has been feeling a bit better and is returning to her happy-go-lucky self. There is some concern that Cleo may be losing her sense of smell – a potentially dangerous situation if it causes her to stop eating. We will keep a close eye on our sweet Cleo and will keep you posted on her condition. Thank you so much for your unending love and support. It is because of your kindness that Cleo and the other special needs animals are enjoying a new leash on life.

May 2005
Cleo just loves Spring - the fresh air, the warm sun, the birds chirping. She sits by the open window soaking up the sun's rays while she watches the squirrels scurry from tree to tree. Unfortunately, with spring comes the pollen that makes her nose run, her eyes water, and her sinuses clog. Cleo's foster care parents do all they can to make her as comfortable as possible during this time of year - wiping Cleo's nose and limiting her exposure on really high pollen count days - while still letting her enjoy some of the season's sights and sounds. Thank you for helping Cleo and other special needs animals.

April 2005
Cleo has really taken to her new role as Florence Nightingale. As we told you previously, she helped nurse her housemate, Jules, back to heath. More recently, she was kind enough to do the same for her foster care parents when they were stricken with bad colds. We don't know if it's due to her own sinus trouble or if she's just a very intuitive kitty, but Cleo always seems to know when someone needs her tender loving care. (In her parents case, this involved sitting on their congested chests and breathing on them. Unfortunately, Cleo stuffiness causes her breathing to be very noisy!) We can't begin to tell you how much your support means to Cleo and the other special needs animals. We couldn't care for them without you.

March 2005
Cleo gets lots of colds in the winter, so she knew just how her housemate and friend, Jules, was feeling when he got sick. Always willing to help out her buddy, Cleo was quick to take on the role of Florence Nightingale. Instead of chasing Jules around the house like she usually does, Cleo snuggled up to him on the couch in the hopes it would make Jules feel better. It must have done the trick – in no time Jules was on the road to recovery. Your kindness and your love means the world to Cleo and the other special needs animals. Thank you for caring so much about them.

February 2005
Cleo's parents really do go that extra mile to help keep Cleo breathing freely. Not only do they constantly wipe their sweet Cleo's nose, but they also have air purifiers and humidifiers running - all for Cleo. Aren't they wonderful? Cleo appreciates all this, but what she really likes is hanging out in the bathroom while her foster care Mom or Dad is taking a shower. She just loves all that steam - it really clears her sinuses. Thank you for caring so much about Cleo and the other special needs animals. Your support allows them a second chance at health and happiness.

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