Ollie's Tale

This is the story of a cat named Ollie.
We don't know much about Ollie's life before the tragic events that brought him to us, only that we are thankful he was found and that he is lucky to be alive. On a summer Saturday afternoon, the first of Ollie's 'angels' was driving home from running errands. Something on the side of the road caught her eye - what appeared to be a black cat, obviously injured, lay there. Getting out of her car to take a closer look, she smelled the acrid stench of smoke and burned flesh and realized this cat was in far worse shape than she'd first imagined. As carefully as she could, she moved the pitiful creature into her car and hurried as quickly as possible to Dublin Animal Hospital, where her daughter works as a technician.

Ollie during his long healing process

Here at the hospital, things were winding down from a typical, busy Saturday. Dr. Heather Rollence had just finished performing an emergency surgery on one of her patients when Ollie was rushed in. At first glance, she too saw a black cat, clearly gravely injured, being brought into the treatment area. It wasn't until the smell hit her that she realized - this cat had been on fire. The technicians immediately set to work gently cleaning Ollie up as well as they could, so that Dr. Rollence could better assess the extent of his injuries.

What she found shocked and sickened her - this had been no accident. Ollie had lacerations over his body, and one foot was badly mutilated. Whether these injuries were inflicted by his attackers, or by his frantic attempts to escape them, remains unknown. Dr. Rollence and the technicians did all they could to make him comfortable, but as she left that day she couldn't help wondering what fate awaited her newest patient.

Over the following weeks, Ollie underwent multiple surgeries and painful treatments for his burns. Every doctor and technician at Dublin Animal Hospital worked tirelessly to save this sweet boy. One of his legs was so badly injured that it had to be amputated. Throughout his ordeal, he never ceased to amaze the hospital staff with his patience, strength, and gentle personality. After all he'd been through and suffered at the hands of human beings, he seemed to sense somehow that we were here to help, not harm him.

Dr. Rollence could see that her little patient was improving day by day, and was continually amazed at his capacity to heal. His fur, once blackened by fire, was now returning to a luxurious creamy white. His eyes became bright with life and curiosity as he daily watched the hustle and bustle of the hospital and its other patients. As he healed, she desperately hoped that he would find a loving home of his own.

Finally, Ollie was ready to leave the hospital. He needed to be in a place where he could learn to move about on three legs, and adjust to living in a home again. But where would he go? He still required regular treatments at the hospital, and needed a home with people who would know how to care for his special needs. In a decision based more on a sense of obligation than desire, Dr. Rollence decided to take Ollie home with her - for awhile at least.

Ollie in "his" shower stall

Little did she know how much this little cat had already worked his way into her heart. Once Ollie was established in his new hospital room (her spare bathroom's shower stall!), he began to improve in earnest. Her three boys delighted in caring for and playing with Ollie, and soon he was ready to move freely about and explore his new home. Even her elderly cat, Susie, while not exactly thrilled with the notion - at least accepted him with resignation.

Ollie present day - looking very majestic!

Now, nearly a full year after he was so brutally abused, Ollie has gone from a critically injured stray to a beloved member of the Rollence family. He has truly found where he belongs. Fully healed, he spends his days basking in the sun and periodically trying to convince Susie that she really isn't too old for playing after all. Most of the time, she disagrees. 



Always ready to play!



While Ollie's story is one of courage, strength, and beating all the odds - it is also a story of extraordinary love and compassion. How one very special doctor gave a second chance at life to a very special cat that so many others would have given up on.