Grey, a striking cat from Kuwait, lived on the streets as part of a colony. Disoriented and suffering from a severe head tilt due to an ear polyp, Grey was taken in by his caretakers, who believed he’d fare better with foster parents Jen and Ian. They were right.
The Journey Begins with Grey’s Rescue
Jen and Ian, the compassionate duo behind Pokey Pot Pie, have fostered over 250 cats since 2010. When Grey arrived at their Washington, D.C., rescue, he could barely move. His ear polyp had caused balance issues and a pronounced head tilt. While his condition was serious, Jen and Ian weren’t deterred. They took him in, determined to help him heal.
A ‘Scary’ Shade of Grey
At first, Grey was far from a friendly cat. He trusted only his original caretaker and hissed or swatted at anyone else who tried to get close—especially Jen. Describing the challenge, Jen recalled:
“I have never in my life met a scarier cat. I had to use different sorts of things to be able to get close to him, and in order to get food to him. I needed to put some medication, so I had to come up with a strategy to do that without getting hurt.”
Jen’s solution? A telescopic silicone back scratcher. Slowly, she got Grey to eat from it, eventually using it to scratch him. With time and patience, Grey allowed her to get closer, even feeding him Churu treats by hand.
Enter Philly Pokey, Grey’s Wingcat
At the same time, Jen and Ian were fostering another cat named Philly Pokey, who was shy but affectionate. They introduced the two cats, and instantly, Grey and Philly Pokey became best friends. Grey’s demeanor changed for the better with Philly by his side, serving as a ‘wingcat.’ The once-scared Grey started letting Jen pet him and even began to enjoy cuddles—as long as Philly was around.
Overcoming a Major Hurdle: Total Ear Canal Ablation
Despite his progress, Grey’s ear polyp continued to cause chronic infections, leaving surgery as the only option. He underwent a Total Ear Canal Ablation and Bulla Osteotomy, a complicated procedure that involved removing his entire ear canal. Although the surgery was successful, there was a complication: Grey’s optic nerve was irritated, temporarily preventing him from blinking. Thankfully, his third eyelid helped keep his eye lubricated during recovery.
Recovery and Resilience
Jen shared updates on Instagram, letting everyone know Grey’s recovery would take time. Grey would need to be kept separate from Philly Pokey for a while to avoid injury, but Jen remained optimistic:
“This was a very big surgery and it’s going to take him some time to recover from it. I can’t wait to pick him up and give him a gentle kiss and light hug.”
After the surgery, Grey required lots of cuddles and care, and he was well on his way to feeling better. His bond with Philly Pokey grew even stronger, and together they thrived under Jen and Ian’s love.
A Happy Ending: Grey and Philly Pokey Await Their Forever Home
Thanks to the support of kind donors, Grey’s surgery was covered, and now he and Philly Pokey are both up for adoption together. These once-scarred but now playful and affectionate cats are waiting to find a forever home. With their adorable personalities and bond, it won’t be long before they find their perfect match.
Cats like Grey show that with patience, love, and the right companions, even the most frightened felines can find trust and happiness again.
