It all started when his little gray paws hit the floor, echoing like hooves on a wooden floor. At just four pounds, he zooms around the house, careening around corners and bouncing off walls. With a playful leap, he tackles his housemate, the much larger feline, Max, almost three times his size, as if trying to ride a mechanical bull.
Meet Corbin, our pandemic kitty. As my children aptly put it, “he’s a handful.”
I never imagined I’d have multiple cats. Max has been part of our family for over two years. Though he boasts a striking appearance with his long black fur and bright green eyes, he’s the definition of indifferent. He likes being near us but rarely shows affection or engages in play. After a few months stuck at home due to the pandemic, I found myself reevaluating my children’s pleas for another furry friend. My daughter, Emma, was particularly persistent, insisting we adopt a kitten—if she could name it. She even volunteered to cover the rescue fees and promised to handle litter box duties. I knew that wouldn’t last long. While Emma is responsible, she’s also 13, and phrases like “always” and “forever” are often used rather loosely. Nevertheless, with agreement from the other kids, we began our online search. Within days, we discovered Corbin through a local rescue.
The plan was for Corbin to stay in Emma’s room for the initial weeks to ease him into life with Max. Once we felt confident they could coexist peacefully, he’d have free reign of the house. During those first two weeks, Corbin exceeded our expectations, showering us with affection and entertainment. He loved being held, often dozing off in our arms or laps, and played for hours, chasing shadows and attacking unsuspecting feet.
However, true to the spirit of 2020, things took an unexpected turn. Corbin continued to display boundless energy like a toddler but began to have trouble using the litter box, leading to unfortunate “leaks” around the house. Emma’s room transformed from a playful gathering space into a chaotic zone, where we tiptoed around, avoiding “landmines” of mess. Just as 2020 spiraled into chaos, so did our home life. I found myself constantly cleaning up after Corbin and giving him multiple baths each day. Despite his dislike for the baths, he was cooperative, often curling up in a towel afterward and snoozing in our arms. He was quite literally full of it, yet his playful spirit never waned.
In the first month, Corbin racked up over $1,000 in vet bills. Emma and I made several trips, waiting in the car (the pandemic way) for his examinations. After x-rays, blood work, and an enema, the vet diagnosed him with a condition called mega-colon. While on the phone with the vet, Emma amusingly mispronounced it as “mega-co-lawn.” Once we grasped the diagnosis, we couldn’t help but chuckle despite the seriousness of the situation, lightening the mood during a tough time.
Essentially, mega-colon means Corbin’s colon expands as it fills but lacks the ability to push anything out. The vet noted it was uncommon, especially in kittens. Fortunately, once diagnosed, we could begin treatment, which involved an expensive prescription diet and medication every eight hours. In different circumstances, I might have hesitated, but these were not ordinary times, and Corbin was no ordinary cat. Even the vet and staff referred to him as special—gentle, playful, and forgiving despite his illness. The vet often remarked how fortunate he was to have found us, as other families might have returned him to the rescue, leading to a tragic fate.
Months have passed since we managed to stabilize his condition. Emma’s room has been repainted, steam-cleaned, and sanitized. Corbin and Max share the space amicably. I now set phone alarms to remind me to feed Corbin small meals throughout the day and administer his stool softener. At times, it seems excessive to go through all this for a cat not yet six months old. Yet, it has brought structure and predictability to our lives—two things we desperately needed in 2020.
Corbin has several nicknames. To Emma, he’s simply Corbin, inspired by an invisible space cat from a silly YouTube video. To my husband, he’s Cor-Cor, the COVID cat. Sometimes, we even call him “Coco-lon,” emphasizing the last syllable. For a while, I jokingly dubbed him Shitty Kitty. Regardless of his name, he has brought joy to my children during a challenging time, offering Emma companionship amid isolation. His antics provide hours of laughter, reminding me of the chaos of toddler life as I rescue him from the dishwasher and teach him about hot ovens. He serves as a delightful distraction from the turbulent world, encouraging us to find joy in curiosity and laughter, even when faced with difficult situations.
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Summary:
In the midst of the pandemic, a family adopted a playful kitten named Corbin, who turned out to have a rare condition known as mega-colon. Despite the challenges they faced, including vet visits and unexpected messes, Corbin brought joy and laughter into their lives. His antics provided a welcome distraction during uncertain times, reminding everyone of the importance of finding humor and happiness even in difficult situations.
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