A Purr-fect Lesson

Lucky is Keri’s first pet, and the two share an incredibly close bond. Keri knew Lucky was the cat for her because when she picked him up, he immediately hugged her. Because Keri often works from home, she and Lucky are together constantly. “He basically sits in my lap for the majority of the day,” she says.

Lucky’s fall came after Keri had left a window ajar in a room she thought the cat had no access to. The accident made her realize that, as a pet owner, “you have to consider every decision you make. Opening the window in our apartment that one day, to air it out for a guest, turned into a lifelong change for Lucky.”

After rushing to a veterinary hospital, Keri learned that Lucky had a broken toe, some bruising and swelling, and a broken lower jaw, which resulted in the loss of his two bottom canines (making chewing food and playing with toys a bit more of a challenge). However, these injuries didn’t prevent him from attempting to hop out of his box on the way to the hospital. These days, Lucky is doing well and is as playful as ever, even around windows.

A knowledgeable pet parent, Keri never thought anything like this would ever happen to her cat. She advises fellow pet owners to “think ahead and make every choice about your pets intelligently—with your vaccinations, with neutering and spaying, who they come in contact with, whether you keep them inside or let them be outdoor pets. All those decisions are more important than you think.” Her final piece of advice? Have pet insurance.