When working in animal rescue, it’s all too common not to know an animal’s life history. Say you find yourself looking after a dog who is deathly afraid of pink umbrellas. Um … why? Did he have a bad run-in with a clown? More often than not, you just work through the quirks without ever knowing the reasons behind them.

Some mysteries are a little more baffling than others, though. For example, one of the cats from the Great Kitty Rescue, Ayesha, only has half a nose. There is no paperwork to explain this rather distinguishing feature. And x-rays don’t answer any questions, either.

With her background, coming from such neglect, it could be anyone’s guess. Many of the cats who came from the Great Kitty Rescue were at death’s door, poking their heads across the threshold.

Ayesha wasn’t as sick as some, but considering all she went through before authorities found her, any number of things might have caused the condition. She could have had a serious fight with another cat. Or perhaps she injured the nose somehow and it became infected. Untreated, an infection could have caused part of the nose to atrophy. Or maybe she was born that way.

Whatever her history, when she first came to Best Friends, Ayesha had no use for people. She’d hide in the corner and hiss and swat when anybody approached. The staffers gave Ayesha all the space she wanted. That became tricky, however, once she got sick.

Ayesha developed an antibiotic-resistant ear infection. The only way to treat it properly was with lots of regular hands-on care, which posed a problem. Ayesha’s caregivers decided they would take their time with her. She’d already been through so much! They provided the care she needed, but slowly and without pushing. They let Ayesha set the pace.

Well, it worked! Not only did they clear up her ear infection, but she learned to trust them. Vet tech Steve Lund was saying hello to her one day when Ayesha gave him the shock of a lifetime. She climbed up his arms and nuzzled into his face and neck. Sound like a turnaround? You bet! And she’s only improved from there. Nowadays she’s a card-carrying lap cat.

So yeah, we’ll never know her past in full detail, but her future? It’s gonna be great!

Story by David Dickson
Staff photo

Learn more about the Great Kitty Rescue by visiting the Nye County Cat Rescue community.

September 28, 2008 : 4:13 AM ET
posted by: lindarolf

Ayesha, I am happy that you are well and have started looking for your forever home. It sounds like you are an excellent judge of character and you are close to selecting your new family. May you have nine lifetimes of happiness and love!

Linda :-)

September 27, 2008 : 12:53 AM ET
posted by: sierrasusieq

Awww, she looks so sweet !! I am so glad she decided to be sweet.

September 26, 2008 : 5:00 PM ET
posted by: mcat

This sweet girl is doing well at Morgaine's Place. Although she tries to hide, when you reach in for pets she is all for it. She even gives little love bites and reaches out a paw to try for more pets when you begin to withdraw your hand. Although still somewhat shy she will make someone a FABULOUS friend. It has been an honor to meet and become friends with this wonderful cat. I can only hope she will find that special someone who is willing to give her all the love she so deserves. All of the cats from the Great Kitty Rescue are special in our hearts. I hope she will find a special place in the heart of someone who can see through her initial shyness and recognize the loving and special kitty within. She is truly a gift to all of us and deserves the gift of a loving forever home.

September 26, 2008 : 3:40 PM ET
posted by: jmuhj

Ayesha is a lovely girl, and sounds very, very sweet -- may her loving, furever home be just about to make itself known! They'll be rewarded with a lifetime of purrs and snorgles, it sounds like!

September 26, 2008 : 1:27 PM ET
posted by: skya

What fascinates me is how could this pretty girl nurse when she was a baby, if this is a birth defect? >^..^<

September 26, 2008 : 12:28 PM ET
posted by: specialcritters

I was thinking about a mild cleft, too, but seeing that perfectly round puncture makes me wonder. I'd sure like to see her xrays!! Very interesting little girl, and I hope her disfigurement won't hurt her adoptability at all!!!

September 26, 2008 : 1:20 AM ET
posted by: kinkstar

Bless her heart, she is a true beauty. Thank you for this story. Please do a follow-up when this grand girl gets a home! ?

September 26, 2008 : 1:03 AM ET
posted by: saveallpitbulls

ayesha, you are a beautiful girl. what an amazing change. Maybe that vet tech should take you home.......:) good luck finding a loveing family......but you wont need it!<3 >^..^< MEOW---sam----

September 26, 2008 : 12:35 AM ET
posted by: corinnem

Going up to Rescue Village once a month, I have had great pleasure in getting to know Ayesha. When I first met her, she was still very shy and scared of people. Gradually, she wamred up and now is a pet soliciting sweetheart of a cat!

It was hard for her at first looking different than the other cats, but she has learned from her fan club that she is a beautiful girl. She will be a wonderful addition to the family that adopts her.

September 25, 2008 : 11:54 PM ET
posted by: Joni

Ayesha gets along fine with other cats, but she hasn't yet met any dogs. She is currently living in the lobby at Morgain's Place where many a volunteer can visit and spend time with her.

When I stopped by to visit her a couple days ago, she was tossing and chasing a toy mouse through the lobby, dodging other less motivated cats as she ran. Seeing her playful and happy was a wonderful experience as I remember vividly how scared and frightened she was upon arrival at the Pussycat Lounge a year ago.

September 25, 2008 : 10:22 PM ET
posted by: invisiblemuse

Looks like she has the same clelft as people get flat nose on one side one visible nostrol and lip spit or pulled up...ANYWAY...MAYBE the vet tech who she snuggled would like to have her as a furever baby....YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO Get well and be blesses baby cat!

September 25, 2008 : 10:13 PM ET
posted by: kimnicho

Even without a nose, she is a doll baby! I wonder, how does she get along with humans other than those at BF? Does she get along with dogs or will she need to be the only pet in the house?

September 25, 2008 : 9:35 PM ET
posted by: mamalinda

Ayesha, you are a beautiful girl. You must have an amazing story to tell indeed. I wish you could be mine. You are beautiful from the inside out. XXX000

September 25, 2008 : 5:42 PM ET
posted by: skya

I was volunteering at a TNR spay and neuter clinic in Virginia when a nice couple brought in an enormous tomcat that was part of the colony they were caring for that they named Hannibal. Hannibal had no nose at all. Where his nose should have been was clean pink flesh and two nostrils holes. It didn't look like scar tissue, so the vet was worried that he might have a cleft palate. The inside of his mouth was fine. He breathed with ease and handled anesthetic perfectly. The man that brought him in was so worried about him, even though his wife said that at first, he didn't want to feed the ferals at all. Noseless Hannibal won his heart! It wouldn't surprise me at all if the gentle giant with no nose is now a pampered indoor cat!

September 25, 2008 : 3:57 PM ET
posted by: CaseyKat

Ayesha:

What a gorgeous cat you are and those golden green eyes of yours are just beautiful. Who cares what you only have a half of, you've learned to trust us humans again and that's all that matters. May your "forever home" come to you quickly and enjoy all that loving at BF from us two legged ones.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

September 23, 2008 : 10:30 AM ET
posted by: melaniesmerkanich

Is this lovely grey able to breathe out of her nose?

Kisses to Ayesha!

September 23, 2008 : 10:29 AM ET
posted by: chattykatty

Climbing up Vet Tech Steve's arm and giving him a nuzzle is no big deal. Heck, a lot of us would do that to Steve.:-)

Kidding aside, Ayesha is simply gorgeous even with an abbreviated nose. Thanks for giving her the time to get comfortable with all you had to offer her.