I was working on the house Sunday and needed to make a trip to the hardware store. I noticed a small kitten, maybe a couple weeks old, sitting in the shade in the street. As a truck driver by trade, I hate seeing cats and kittens (and other animals) close to the road. My street isn't heavily traveled but still, I went to move it. The tiny calico limped off towards the house, so I followed her. It took some doing, but I finally caught her. She was VERY light and it was clear she wasn't well. I set her on the porch and put some food out, hoping she would eat it and went on to the store.
Whrn I returned, the food was there but she wasn't. I was in and out of the house the rest of the day and later saw her sitting under the steps. She was easier to catch this time so I took her inside to an unused bathtub, put some food and water and a litter box in and made her a bed with a towel. She moved around in there but couldn't get out. Whatever was wrong with her leg didn't hamper her mobility TOO much, but she still had problems. I tried to clean her up a bit and she seemed to enjoy being scratched under the chin. She wasn't eating or drinking and I tried getting her some water with a needless syringe. She was pretty frail and wasn't having it, so I tried to get some around her mouth at least.
The plan was to get her to the vet the next morning before work. I checked on her every half hour or so until bed time. Picking her up and holding her, telling her to hang on as best she could and we'd get her some help. Bonnie and Clyde knew something was up at the end of the hall, so I brought Bonnie in and held her up and let her see their visitor. She stared calmly as the kitten looked up at her.
Before going to bed, I gave her a small stuffed mouse. I told her again to hang in there, but if she had to go she'd have friends waiting on the other side. I asked Bugs, who passed almost 2 years ago, to watch out for her. I held her for a few minutes and set her down. She let out a tiny 'mew' as she looked up. It was the only sound I heard her make.
The next day I got up around 5 and went to check on her. She was outside the bed I made, looking like she was asleep, but she was gone. She looked so peaceful and almost happy. Her suffering was over and she'd crossed the bridge. I like to think that she at least knew she was wanted and cared for before she went. And though it hurts, I know that I at least tried and not all can be saved.
I wrapped her in a shirt and left the toy with her and went out into the still dark morning to dig her grave outside the window where Bonnie and Clyde sit. Two other ferals (who I'm certain weren't her mother) were out there watching. As I dug, lightning from an approaching storm lit up the sky. Her time was brief, but thinking back to her initial speed despite being injured, I named her 'Lightning'.
Rest easy, Lightning. You're among friends now.
Whrn I returned, the food was there but she wasn't. I was in and out of the house the rest of the day and later saw her sitting under the steps. She was easier to catch this time so I took her inside to an unused bathtub, put some food and water and a litter box in and made her a bed with a towel. She moved around in there but couldn't get out. Whatever was wrong with her leg didn't hamper her mobility TOO much, but she still had problems. I tried to clean her up a bit and she seemed to enjoy being scratched under the chin. She wasn't eating or drinking and I tried getting her some water with a needless syringe. She was pretty frail and wasn't having it, so I tried to get some around her mouth at least.
The plan was to get her to the vet the next morning before work. I checked on her every half hour or so until bed time. Picking her up and holding her, telling her to hang on as best she could and we'd get her some help. Bonnie and Clyde knew something was up at the end of the hall, so I brought Bonnie in and held her up and let her see their visitor. She stared calmly as the kitten looked up at her.
Before going to bed, I gave her a small stuffed mouse. I told her again to hang in there, but if she had to go she'd have friends waiting on the other side. I asked Bugs, who passed almost 2 years ago, to watch out for her. I held her for a few minutes and set her down. She let out a tiny 'mew' as she looked up. It was the only sound I heard her make.
The next day I got up around 5 and went to check on her. She was outside the bed I made, looking like she was asleep, but she was gone. She looked so peaceful and almost happy. Her suffering was over and she'd crossed the bridge. I like to think that she at least knew she was wanted and cared for before she went. And though it hurts, I know that I at least tried and not all can be saved.
I wrapped her in a shirt and left the toy with her and went out into the still dark morning to dig her grave outside the window where Bonnie and Clyde sit. Two other ferals (who I'm certain weren't her mother) were out there watching. As I dug, lightning from an approaching storm lit up the sky. Her time was brief, but thinking back to her initial speed despite being injured, I named her 'Lightning'.
Rest easy, Lightning. You're among friends now.