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‘Daily dose of Dobby’ a tonic for the times

Kitten was found burnt and orphaned a year ago

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It’s been a year now since Dobby the indomitable kitten survived a garage blaze near Blezard Valley, with help from local firefighters, animal control staff and the Walden Animal Hospital.

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He’s now a long-limbed cat, happily homed on Manitoulin Island. And not only has he fully recovered from his injuries, he’s become something of an Instagram star, attracting more than a thousand followers.

“If I don’t have a photo published for four or five days, I will get a message from someone saying, ‘Is Dobby OK?’” says Rob Maguire, who adopted the singed kitten back in June. “People seem to need their daily dose of Dobby.”

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Maguire learned about the tiny tabby shortly after he was rescued and delivered to the veterinary clinic in Lively. He had been burnt in a fire on May 10 but wasn’t discovered until the following day, when members of the Val Therese crew went back to check on a few hot spots.

The firefighters “found the little cat nearby,” said platoon chief Andre Groulx at the time. “They contacted city animal control and were referred to the Walden vet.”

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It wasn’t an easy time for Dobby at first. The kitten had burns on his paws, back and head, and required extensive treatment at the Walden Animal Hospital.
It wasn’t an easy time for Dobby at first. The kitten had burns on his paws, back and head, and required extensive treatment at the Walden Animal Hospital. Photo by Supplied

Maguire says he cried when he first saw pictures the the kitten, with its blackened ears, scared eyes and all four appendages sheathed in white gauze.

It was those dressings that inspired the name, provided by vet clinic staff, in reference to a Harry Potter character who sports socks on his hands.

Dobby was in rough shape, and his prospects at first were not so promising.

“It was pretty bad,” said Carolyn Lariviere, senior vet at Walden Animal Hospital, when speaking with The Star last May. “Our little kitten has third-degree burns on all four feet and several places across his back and head where some of the substance from the burning building dripped on it.”

There was always a risk of infection and Lariviere feared the kitten’s front paws might require amputation. 

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Amazingly, though, Dobby responded to treatment and apart from a permanently misshapen claw and the loss of a few toes, was able to make a full recovery.

Maguire, who has rescued quite a few cats in his home community of Manitowaning, sent the vet clinic a donation to help with Dobby’s care and also made it known that he would be happy to have him.

He was far from the only person to express interest, but staff at the clinic agreed he would provide the best home.

“I can’t say enough about the people at the Walden clinic — they deserve so much praise,” says Maguire. “And I’m so grateful. All my other cats have been ones I played a part in rescuing, but with Dobby it is more like a gift, because they allowed me to adopt him. And it’s the best gift I ever had in my life.”

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Dobby gets along famously with Maguire’s other cats — he has three adult rescues, all obsidian in hue — and has enjoyed vigorous play sessions with a visiting feline about the same age.

Dobby cuddles with his older brother Swif at his home on Manitoulin Island.
Dobby cuddles with his older brother Swif at his home on Manitoulin Island. Photo by Supplied

“He only has two toes on his front left paw and has a bit of a hook to one claw, but there is no handicap with him at all and he’s extremely fast and playful,” says Maguire. “His play mode switch is stuck in the ‘on’ position.”

He can also be quite mischievous, says his proud pa. On the day Maguire is speaking, Dobby has gotten into a bag of almonds and spread them all over the house.

“He’s a saucy little guy but all you have to do is pick him up and he’ll purr like crazy,” he says. “He’s never in a bad mood.”

Maguire has been sharing pictures of Dobby on his Facebook page since the day he arrived at his Manitowaning abode, but decided to launch an Instagram page for the kitty about two-and-a-half months ago.

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It took off fast.

“In two months I had over 1,000 followers and it’s up to 1,100 now,” he says. 

People from all over the world seem to be intrigued with the feline fire survivor, and some credit him with changing their lives.

“One woman messaged me from Japan, saying how Dobby gave her the strength to live,” says Maguire. 

But even if he simply brings a few smiles to faces during a time of isolation and stress, adding “awws” to the COVID blahs, Maguire figures Dobby is doing his job.

“He was saved by love, and one of the roles he is playing now is to inspire people,” he says. “He comforts people in a time of need.”

You can follow Dobby on Instagram at #dobbythefirecat.

jmoodie@postmedia.com

Now a year old, Dobby is healthy and active, despite missing a few toes on one foot. He also enjoys a few naps.
Now a year old, Dobby is healthy and active, despite missing a few toes on one foot. He also enjoys a few naps. Photo by Supplied
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