1 September Polly

Today Polly went missing. She left the boat as usual an hour before sunset to explore the gardens, but she didn't come home that evening. We've been in the marina for seven weeks and our little Polly has developed a routine of taking herself for a walk a couple of times a day. First at 7.30am while the docks are quiet. She'd trot along our dock, up the bridge to the main concrete walkway and then onto the land and a garden area between the marina office and some wooden cabins. The distance is 50m from the boat and we could see her exploring, sniffing Dog Tree and hunting geckos. As the morning got warmer and more people appeared she'd trot home being careful to avoid people. If we were walking back from the showers she would join us like a dog follows its owner.In the evening she would hop off at 5.30pm and then be waiting for us to escort her home after our evening showers at 6.30pm. Then she would be happily on board until she was let out next morning.

Polly was a wild cat when we found her and we chose when in a marina not to lock her in all day, For her safety we did keep her in at night. During the day when she went ashore she stayed within a small area. Didn't go out to the car park. Didn't let strangers near her. There are no stray dogs, all dogs have to be on a leash and the four resident stray cats stay in their part of the gardens. The only vehicles on site are the golf carts used by marina staff. We felt Port Louis was a safe environment. But turns out not to be as safe as we thought.  On Wednesday evening she went out as normal, but she was missing when I went to the showers and when she hadn't come home three hours later we launched the search party. With headlamps we searched all over. Nothing seen and nothing heard. Next day was the same. We put up Missing posters around the marina and everyone from fellow cruisers to the staff were helping us.After four days and no sign I had lost hope of seeing her again. I cried, regretfully put away her food and water bowls because it was too painful to see them going unused. Then while David and I were downstairs I heard a plaintiff miaow from the stern. Could it be? Yes! Polly was home! There was relief to see sitting on the back of the boat and then anguish when I picked her up and saw her rear paw was badly damaged. It looked like it had been crushed. Three toes stuck out at unnatural angles and it smelt bad.

How had she limped home? Why did she come home now? Where had she been? Why didn't we find her when we were looking and why didn't she call back when we called her. What happened? Questions without answers.

She was exhausted thirsty and hungry and slept while we tried to find an emergency vet on a Sunday afternoon on a lockdown weekend. We would have to wait until the following morning to get her treated.

Monday 6 September

Polly spent her first night home sleeping between us. Her foot smells really nasty. As soon as we could we took her in a taxi to the veterinary clinic at St Georges University. SGU is a veterinary teaching hospital near Prickly Bay.She was sedated, examined, x-rayed and blood tests taken. The prognosis was likely a crush injury and the toes on her rear left paw were broken and beyond saving. There was necrosis of the flesh which was the smell. Dr Frances Ivaldi recommended amputation of the broken toes and strong antibiotics for the infection.

Wednesday 8 September

Polly had her operation yesterday and she is to stay in the hospital for a few days. We got a call this morning to ask what she likes to eat because she doesn't like the hospital food. Who does? Polly doesn't eat tinned cat food she prefers raw fish, the occasional olive, or Serrano ham, or a morsel of blue cheese, ie completely spoilt. So it was a taxi ride to the clinic to deliver tubs of her preferred sushi – diced raw mahi mahi and prawns.

Friday 10 September

Our poorly cat was discharged from the hospital this afternoon. She doesn't look happy with a thick bandage on her rear paw and another one on her front leg to protect a torn pad. She'll have to wear a plastic cone of shame and we need to stop her jumping up or down and breaking the stitches.

While she was in the clinic we converted our forward cabin in to a one level padded recovery room with the shelves and nooks blocked off with cushions.

David slept with her that night. And the next. And the next. We lift her into and out of her litter tray. Feed her tasty morsels like the servants we are.

Friday 17 September

There have been three visits to the vet this week to have bandages changed. Poll is making good progress but we are tired. She's now sleeping in a box on the table next to our bed, but wakes a couple of times in the night to either eat or use her litter tray. She has to be carried to the salon, cone removed, lifted into the tray and then reverse when completed. What we don't want to happen is for her to try and climb down or up, or over anything.

Friday 1 October

Bandage changes are down to twice a week as the foot heels.

Friday 15 October

Six weeks after the accident and we make our final trip to the vets. Her wounds have healed and the bandage is removed for the last time. All we have to do now is keep her on a lead to prevent her leaving the boat. I don't want to do this again.

Missing three toes makes her foot look pointed and it's going to take time to learn to walk putting weight on that leg again but we'll do it. She's a feisty little thing and we are so happy to have her back.