Kenzo, the Little Dude with the Crab Claw I could have named him “Mork from Ork” or gone all-in with “Nanu-Nanu,” but this time I chose a more dignified path. Kenzo is a Japanese name meaning healthy and wise, often formed from elements like ken (strong, healthy, wise) and zo (creation, thrive, three). It symbolizes vitality, growth, and good fortune—and from the moment he arrived, I knew he needed a name that would usher him into a new year filled with strength and healing. Kenzo came to me on December 15th, after being found the night before at the end of an ice-cold boat dock in Ada. He was malnourished, frightened, and suffering from a debilitating injury that resulted in lack of blood flow and severe frostbite to his right forepaw. It didn’t take long to realize that this little guy had endured far more than his fair share—and that he was determined to survive it. As it turned out, two of his five digits could not be saved and ultimately required amputation, leaving him with three toes to carry him forward. That alone sealed it: Kenzo was the only name that fit. Despite weighing just 7 pounds—far too small for a two-year-old male—Kenzo proved himself to be a sturdy little fighter. Unfortunately, he was also hosting far too many unwanted guests. Ear swabs revealed an active infestation of ear mites deep within his canals (the microscopic videos were truly disgusting), and his gastrointestinal tract was burdened with both roundworms (common) and lungworm (uncommon). Thankfully, treatment is highly effective, and within days his severe diarrhea resolved, and his weight began to climb. Before surgery could even be considered, Kenzo required strong systemic antibiotics and pain control. Initially, I removed necrotic skin from his damaged foot, along with the most distal bones—the third phalanges—which detached along with the dead tissue. The exposed bones were carefully bandaged and protected while the antibiotics had time to work. A bacterial culture later revealed a deep, aggressive infection that had spread into the bone itself, making surgery unavoidable. A few days later, I removed the remaining four phalanges of the two affected digits. I’m happy to report that Kenzo sailed through surgery with flying colors and soon returned to Crash’s to begin the cushy, comfortable life he was long overdue for. Kenzo is still a bit skittish when he is first approached, but he improves every day. He loves chasing toys, zooming through tunnels, and has been spotted playing with Cannon and several of the other more active cats—it’s adorable how naturally he fits right in. Because he may be a quick door-darer, a home with very small children may not be ideal. Otherwise, he’s beginning to show us just how charming and playful he truly is. Most importantly, you can tell his foot feels better now—by the way he zooms around the shelter without a care in the world. Kenzo isn’t just surviving anymore. He’s thriving!