For One Patient, A New Cat Was Just What The Doctor Ordered

Before she went in for a checkup last month, 67-year-old Robin Sipe already had a long relationship with her physician. Dr. Earl D. King had treated her for 15 years and she credited him with saving her life on three separate occasions.

But this time, there was something different about the visit. Her cat had recently died and she was feeling down. Her doctor’s advice? Get a flu shot, a COVID booster, and a new cat.

A feline prescription

To demonstrate that he was serious, King even wrote “get a cat” above his other advice in a summary of the visit. And Sipe was clearly convinced.

On the way home, she picked up some fresh produce at a roadside stand — and happened to spot a kitten nearby. The little black-and-white ball of fluff was literally what her doctor ordered.

Plus, it was immediately clear that Sipe wasn’t the only one who stood to gain something from the relationship. The kitten was missing a paw and workers at the produce stand explained that something fell on it shortly after birth.

A match made in heaven

“I asked if I could take the kitty home and told them I could guarantee that she’d be safe and happy inside,” Sipe recalled. “They had four other kittens they’d need to find homes for, so they said okay. This sweet little kitten was mine.”

After buying some corn and a cantaloupe, she plopped down $3 for a $2.99 bill and the cashier said the extra penny would cover the adoption costs.

The cat’s name is Earlene in honor of the doctor and Sipe said that “everything changed for the better” since she brought her new pet home.

“I’m really happy that Robin found a new cat — particularly one with a disability,” King added.

Chris Agee October 19th, 2023

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