After a significant downpour, Ginger Biscuit was discovered drenched to the bone and in need of assistance in a storm drain. Greenside Animal Hospital received him from his rescuer, and because they had no information about his condition, they placed him in the isolation ward so he could recuperate and recover in quiet.
When Ginger initially arrived at the hospital, he was naturally a little anxious. He was only 8 to 10 weeks old, and because of how bewildered he was, he was somewhat frightened of anyone passing by and tending to him.
The proprietors of Greenside Animal Hospital, Drs. Joubert Viljoen and Suzette Greube, told The Dodo that Ginger is quiet but very affectionate and enjoys attention after he gets over his initial dread of contact. He is a little hesitant of visitors when they first come into the isolation ward, but once he notices that we are bringing food, he is delighted to come out of his shell and talk to them.
Ginger was fortunate to have the isolation ward to himself, save for Anne.
Anne was also sent to the hospital as a stray after being discovered at a neighboring sports club hiding in a bush. She was quite frail and covered with ticks and fleas.
Anne was also brought to the hospital as a stray after she was found hiding in a bush at a nearby sports club. She was covered with fleas and ticks and was very weak. One of the trainers at the club brought her to the hospital, and everyone could immediately see that she was quite sick. They sprang into action trying to heal her and got her all settled into the isolation ward.
Usually, the cats and dogs at Greenside Animal Hospital are kept in separate areas, but the isolation ward is a special case. Anne and Ginger’s crates were across the room from each other. There was no way they could have any contact — or so the staff thought. As it turns out, though, Ginger had other plans.
One day, staff walked into the isolation ward and stopped dead in their tracks. Ginger wasn’t in his crate. Instead, he was cuddled up with Anne in her crate.
“We underestimated the kitten’s ability to wriggle itself through the door of the cage he was placed in,” Viljoen and Greube said. “With the little dog being so weak, we never considered her to be a risk to the kitten, but when we saw them together the first time around, there definitely was a moment of panic, seeing as some dogs don’t react well to cats and vice versa.”
Everyone’s fears were immediately put at ease, though, when they saw how gentle Anne was with Ginger and how much they seemed to love each other. The pair seemed to calm each other down, and although the staff tried to separate them again, it didn’t work. Anne and Ginger had decided they belonged together, and that was that.
As the kitten’s litter box, food, and water were in his cage when we first saw them together, Viljoen and Greube said: “But he promptly made his way out of the cage and returned to his companion.”
Since they are now cohabiting a crate full-time, Anne and Ginger couldn’t be happier. Being with Ginger appears to be assisting Anne’s recuperation and providing her strength. Anne was very frail when she first arrived at the hospital. She offers him the sense of peace and security he had been lacking, and he gives her something to care about and focus on.
“It is definitely a case of ‘yours, mine and ours’ with these two,” Viljoen and Greube said. “They love to snuggle and even have meals together! They have toys, but the kitten’s favourite pastime is chasing Anne’s tail!”
The pair may be very different, but it doesn’t matter. Their friendship is strong, and everyone agrees that it’s the sweetest thing ever.
