Joey's life was pretty normal for a ten-month-old kitten until one fateful night. Joey's family at the time were making candles for Christmas. As he was napping someone had slipped and poured hot wax all over him. However, his family didn't bother to take him to the vet until several painful days later.

 

Once in the vet's care, it was discovered that Joey had third-degree burns on over 30% of his body. Joey needed baths twice a day. As gentle as everyone was Joey cried in pain and couldn’t even move. The skin was completely gone on his stomach from his back legs to his neck. He couldn't move his left leg because his elbow was burned so badly. While in veterinary care, his family never came to see him.

 

Three months went by and he was still going through treatment. Then, Joey met his soul mate. She opened his cage and would stroke his head. She would also wrap him in sterile towels and take him to a quiet room where they would sit together. 

 

Thirteen months after his accident, Joey still hadn't healed very well. However, Joey proved that he was determined to live his life. A burn specialist from Harborview came to look at him. They said all the layers of epidermis were gone on his stomach and it was unbelievable that Joey was still alive. They weren't sure if Joey's fur would ever grow back.

 

Finally, the day came where Joey was healthy enough to where he could go home with his soul mate. Joey still had to get regular baths and treatment but he had a new home with other pets to be with. His new family started him on vitamin E therapy because his skin would continue to crack and bleed. They would even put sterile T-shirts on him so that he could wander around the house and try to be a normal cat. After two years of treatment, and lots of love, Joey's fur started growing back. 

 

By providing Joey with another chance, he lived to be 19 and a half years old. He lived a great new life with his soul mate, dogs, and other cats to play with.