Banjo: His Incredible Story and Stinky Breath

Everyone meet Banjo, my senior kitty who will always be a baby in my eyes. Banjo is around 12 years old and Mitch and I adopted him May of 2021. As you can tell Banjo has some unique ears, but that isn’t the only unique thing about Bingo Bango. I think it is important to tell his story because it is one that I think can inspire many people and hopefully inspire you to help out with his surgery.

Mitch and I saw Banjo on the cat’s cradle website with a little bowtie and a curious look and immediately knew we needed him. We knew a couple things about Banjo when we got him: his ears were broken due to scratching because he had such bad fleas and ear mites. We knew he grew up somewhere in Virginia and lived in the woods, we knew there was a high probability he was abused due to various scars along his legs and head, we knew not many people want senior cats and we knew he snored when he slept. This snoring that he experienced (although cute), we eventually learned was due to the asthma that he suffers from. Upon getting an X-Ray to determine that he did in fact have asthma we also learned that Banjo had been shot with a BB-gun and had an embedded BB near his upper spine. This was heartbreaking to hear because I never understood how anyone could hurt this little fluffy boy.

One thing about Banjo that we love is his very cute and loud meow. Every morning and night Banjo will tell you when it is food time and will yell and yell until you give him his delicious prescription food diet (because he also has a sensitive tummy). Fast forward a couple of months and Banjo wakes up and starts to yell. But I noticed that he could not walk well and had a little limp. I also could hear some clicking coming from his little leg. Taking him to the vet to get an X-Ray, we learned that Banjo also suffers from arthritis, not from old age but rather from a bullet (a real gun bullet) that is embedded in his ankle. Because of the cold weather and his old age, his arthritis was bothering him and now occasionally he will limp around but still remains very happy.

These are obstacles that Banjo has faced, and you would never even know. Banjo has been abused and still is the kindest, sweetest, cuddley boy. He loves sunning, playing with toys and his brother Wayne, but most of all food. We have seen Banjo grow from timid while eating to wanting back rubs while he munches. We have seen the way Banjo has grown comfortable enough to move from the cold floor to find the fluffiest blankey to cuddle up on. He is happy, he is loved, and he is constantly fed…his favorite part. So, when Banjo started to slow down with his eating, I knew something was wrong. It turns out Banjo has Stage 3 Periodontal disease and will need Surgery that is anywhere between 1,200-3,000 dollars depending on the extent of damage the disease has done to his mouth. Because of his old age, we do have insurance for him, but they are refusing to cover the surgery.

Banjo has taught me so much about life and what it means to unconditionally love something. People have told me how Mitch and I have saved Banjo, but I could argue he saved me. I too suffer from many medical conditions (like Banjo), and was at a very low point when I adopted him. His cuddliness and strength to keep loving and playing despite his obstacles showed me to do the same. We know Banjo is not ready to let go yet because he still has the playful spirit and loud meow to eat (and his blood work is perfect). He is happy and loved but we know with this surgery his quality of life will be even better (and his breath will also stink a lot less) and he can continue to do what makes him the happiest…eating! Currently in Graduate School and on a stipend, I am not in a place where I can spend that much money to help him. My fiancé Mitch is in training for the Marine Corps so we are reaching out to fellow animal lovers for any support that can be offered. Anything to help our Banjo Bango get his surgery is appreciated, even if it is just kind words, love and support for our fluffy boy! If we meet the goal, any extra money will go towards his prescription food, gabapentin for his arthritis and gunshot pain and steroids for his asthma. I appreciate all of you and I know Banjo does too.

Check out these amazing Banjo pictures below to see why we love him so much!