When Dr. Larry found Tater Tot in his backyard in July 2005, the tiny little kitten was infested with every kind of worm imaginable, inside and out. The doctor brought him in to Valley View, surgically removed the worst of the worms, and prescribed medication to treat the rest.

Upon further examination and observation, he discovered that Tater has numerous health issues, including a liver shunt (which causes him to walk in circles a lot), partial blindness, and brain damage (which causes some pretty scary seizures). Fortunately, Tater was a very smart little kitten: he knew he needed lots of help, so he went straight to the doctor's house to get it!

With multiple medications, a special diet, and frequent subcutaneous fluids, the doctors keep his health issues under control and Tater is a happy cat. He's also a pretty busy kitty. If he's not soaking up loves in his basket on the front desk, he's in the treatment area helping surgery patients recover, in the lobby keeping an eye on Peace, or in the doctor's office checking up on Sparky. Each weekend, he goes home with Nicole to visit his girlfriend Princess, play with his friend Lewis, and chase the ferret Schnookums.

Tatums - as Nicole calls him, or Fearless - as the Kims call him, continues to beat the odds, recently celebrating his second birthday. With excellent care and lots of love, we hope to keep him around for many, many years to come.

Tater Tot's Photo Albums: The First Year | First Birthday & Second Year