About 4:30 yesterday afternoon I was walking out to the mailbox and heard crying, very loud crying. Trying to determine from which direction it was coming, I kept calling "Kitty". There it was, over in the woods! As I tramped through the snow, I could see a little kitten near a tree stump that was uprooted. It had been down in a hole underneath the stump. Who knows how long it had been there. I quickly picked up the shivering bundle of fur and wrapped it inside my coat to warm its thin little body and brought it inside to the warmth and some food.
The kitten turned out to be a female which you would guess by the calico coloring. She looks like she is about eight weeks old and has the most beautiful coloring. She was starving and wolfed down the small portion of food I put in the bowl.
Being a little trepidatious about David's reaction when he got home (we already have three adult cats), I was planning my speech. He agreed with me when I pleaded my case about how I couldn't let the sweet little thing stay out in the frigid cold. When we were eating our supper of chili, this is where the kitty spent the whole meal...in the crook of David's arm.
How could anyone be so heartless and cruel to drop a defenseless kitten in the dead of winter by the side of the road not really close enough to my house to be easily seen?!! It was just pure luck that I went out to get the mail. I almost waited to have David do it when he got home, which would have been well after dark. I don't think she would have survived the cold last night.
We have new neighbors who live a couple of houses down the road. I'm going to check with them today to see if they lost her. I noticed that they have young children. If she isn't theirs, maybe they would like to have a sweet little kitten to call their own. I would love to keep her, but my big cats are freaking out. You would think that I introduced some evil devil child into the household!
Right now she's sleeping all warm and snuggled inside my robe. I warm her and she warms me.
54 comments:
After losing my beloved cat in Dec I ache to think of the abandoned and homeless animals thanks to indifferent and, yes, "cruel" people. Most of the time, I prefer animals to people. They are loyal and loving.
Wonderful story and thanks for being a good Samaritan.
Cali Girl, again I'm so sorry for your loss. It's too bad we don't live near each other. This baby would make a wonderful addition to your family.
My DH has accepted the fact that I'm going to bring in the homeless and defenseless animals of this world. He's easy to win over.
poor baby! She is absolutely beautiful! It infuriates me when people throw away animals on the side of the road. I have 5 dogs. Nora and Nancy were throw aways. I had seen a truck in front of our house one day about a year ago, but didnt think much about it. About 15 minutes later, the dogs started raising cane. I went outside and Nora was sitting in my driveway looking all confused and terrified.She has been with us a year now. 2years ago we had an ice storm. I woke in the middle of the night. We had lost power cause of the ice so I could hear all kinds of noises I normally wouldnt hear due to the quietness. I kept hearing like a low whine. I got the flash light and opened the door, and laying on my porch shivering was Nancy. I brought her in having to keep my bulldog stella away from her in the house. I checked around later to see if she belonged to anyone,but no one claimed her. We have had numerous dogs just dropped in front of our house, some come to us, some continue to wonder around lost. Its like our neighborhood is the drop off zone for dogs and cats.
I have 6 cats in which all of them are rescues as well. 4 of them were found in a wooded lot across the street, alone and hungry early summer. A bulldozer had been clearing the lot previous days. We decided to go walking through the woods and check the lot out they had been clearing. We saw a smushed dead cat. I felt so bad for that cat. Then we started hearing little meows..4 kittens about 3 weeks old lurked in some brush. We assumed the dead was their mommie. We brought them home and i bottled fed them goats milk. They are truly my babies and spoiled rotten.
Hello, Kelly! It's nice to have you here!
You sound like a true humanitarian! Bless your heart!
Wow! You have a lot of animals. I'm afraid I have to keep my numbers down for fear of being divorced by my long-suffering husband! :)
I popped over to your blog and I'll be back when I have more time to peruse. Take care.
I view this as a wonderful gift, I'm sure you will find a good home for her. I wish I was your neighbor, I'd take her! She is so cute!
Thanks for the pictures! I LOVE cats!
She looks right at home in those arms.
Nice save.
Thank you thank you thank you for rescuing the sweet little furry. Gosh she is really cute and sweet. If you have to keep her the other cats will get used to her after a while, they are just being territorial right now. My daughter does the same thing when she finds strays...and they all live happily together after the initial freaking out faze.
Good luck with her....which I could take her too :)
Thanks also for your visit to my bloggy.
Blessings...
What gorgeous coloring! And look at the fur standing up on her back! Great shot!!
How fortunate for her that you went out to get the mail ... I'm sorry your cats are freaking out, but perhaps the kitty belongs to your neighbor down the road ...
Would it be possible for your cats to get used to the little one? We have allergies to cats around here, so I have no experience at all with them. But I think that they are adorable! Good luck!
Gosh I hate it when people abandon animals so thoughtlessly. Cats or dogs or whatever!
as an owner of strays, who make really wonderful pets and additions to your family, I think this sweet little girl deserves a loving home. Thanks for taking her in for some love and warmth!
that kitty has a special angel and that is you...thank god you found her when you did.
i've heard a trick to introduce cats is to rub the new cat down with a towel to get the scent and then rub the other cats with that same towel. just a thought.
Hi Susan,
I came here by way of Ruth's
Blog Family post. What a precious kitty. Looks like our Mr. Furry
(a calico male) we found on New Years day a few years ago.
:-)
Awww, her is beautiful! Cats do seem to know whose butt they need kiss don't they? No way daddy was going to kick her out, with all that snuggling! As you know, we are suckers for kitties that end up on our back step. When we adopted the latest Ziggy, our other cats were not happy. They are slowly getting used to him though. They've figured out that number one, he is here to stay, and number two, he is really pretty sweet. I hope you can find a happy home for this precious little thing.
Why, Judy, Iowa, Ohio, we're practically next door, doncha know. Geography-challenged people confuse us all the time! :D
Obviously a cat lover here as well! She's looking pretty comfy here!
Natalie, he's just a big pussy-cat himself, so I can't really see him kicking her out!
Cora, she is very sweet, and very vocal and she wants to sit on my shoulder while I'm at the computer!
I'm sure Tobey, Frankie, and Cricket (well, probably not Cricket, she's a real witch with a capital B) will get used to having her around. They're already not hissing as much.
CG, the pictures don't even do her justice! She is so stinkin' cute! The orangey bits are really more of a caramel color and she has a white chest and tummy. Can you tell I'm in love with her already?
Jackee, I couldn't agree with you more! I'll make sure she has a loving home, even if it's here!
Char, I know! I was shaking just thinking that I might not have gone outside! Something must have been telling me to go. I will try that trick with the towel...I think I read that once upon a time, but forgot about it. Thank you for reminding me!
gemma, so nice of you to visit! I love your blog and will be over soon!
Oh, that's sweet that you have a male calico! I knew that there are males sometimes. This one could very well be one, too. I'm not very good at identifying gender until they're a bit older...'wink'. And it is pretty fluffy down there! :)
Sandy, her is gorgeous! The pictures aren't that good...she wouldn't hold still for two seconds!
Oh, yes, the sneaky little charmers know exactly who they need to convince, don't they? He's not complaining, so maybe there's hope of keeping her. Of course, he's knows better than to try and talk me out of it once they're inside the house! ;)
The big cats already seem to be adjusting. Keep your fingers crossed. Maybe I'll have a blog contest to name her!
Who could dump a kitty like that and live with themselves? I'm kinda hoping it belongs to your neighbor, but then I'm also kinda hoping you keep her cause I'm already attached.
I had a dream last night that I rescued a tiny dog from a pet store. Whew! and you were livin' it with that darling little kitty to curl up with.
Cindy, how did you know that I'm wishing the same thing! In fact, I'm really bad and haven't even made the effort to go ask them. Maybe tomorrow. She does actually look like she had been taken care of up until yesterday. Her ears are clear, she doesn't have fleas and her digestive system seems to be working fine.
How interesting that you had that dream! I'm always wanting to rescue dogs from pet stores...that's why I don't go in them. Especially the ones who are known to buy from puppy mills!
Oh my, Oh My! This little kitty is so lucky to have been found...and she is so darn cute I have to say you are very lucky to have found her...all my cats were rescued in one way or another and I would love to rescue a new little friend like that to join Miss Sally...even if she hated it and I know she would:)
Hi, came visiting you from Wanda's and I'm your newest follower even though those chairs look awfully un-inviting in your header - ha! What a lovely kitten! And what a great twist of luck that you were there at the right moment to find her!
What a babe! So sweet. Have to love the kitties.
I have a calico who was from the shelter. And I have a manx that was a feral in my backyard for two years. He became and indoor/outdoor last year after many years of patience. That poor little boy just had major surgery on Monday to have his entire lower bowel removed. He's a tiny toy who got a little more tiny. It's all worth it.
I hope you find a loving home for her or maybe your kitties will calm down and let her stay.
Oliag, it's been along time since we had a teeny kitten in the house. My oldest cat, Cricket, is almost 16 years old and the other two showed up as starving adults.
The shelters are full of babies just like this one....you just have to steel yourself to only bring home ONE! :)
Hi Jenny! thank you for visiting me! It will be great getting to know you.
My FIL says that all my pets should be named Lucky...hehe!
Tattered, oh no, that's too bad about your kitty! How's he doing?
My pets are all rescues, too. I got Lucy, my springer spaniel, from the humane society and the two younger cats came here starving to death. Cricket we've had since my daughter got her for her twelfth birthday, almost 16 years ago. She mostly just sleeps these days.
Frankie is already getting used to her and not hissing anymore. Tobey is taking a little longer. How quickly they forget when they were on the receiving end!
Oh She is such a sweet adorable kitty!!! I love her instantly! I hope the neighbors can take her. You are so good to take her in from the cold, poor thing!
Wee Bobbie, the tiny manx, is doing okay. My vet said this problem he's had is normal for manx but usually not until they're older. Poor little guy has been on meds three times a day for the past year. I'm hoping this surgery makes him healthy for the first time. The idea of the surgery really scared me but the doctor convinced me it was best. Surgery took 1-1/2 hours. He's a little tough guy with a meow like a tiny bird and the sweetest personality.
Have to love the rescue animals. Sweet babies. My other cat I adopted the day after I put my most special boy down. I went to the shelter to just be with kitties and saw this little calico girl calling out to me. It was meant to be.
Glad to hear your others are getting a bit used to her. She might just be the spark they need.
Such a sweet kitty! Good for you for sheltering her from the cold. I hope you find her a loving home.
Be honest, Susan. Did you find her or did she find you (I am a firm believer in the supernatural abilities of cats)? She is too sweet, and is probably a full member of your household by now.
All of our cats have been rescues,though none in such a dramatic way. The Empress came from a one-woman cat adoption service (there was no room for people; every square inch was devoted to felines); and the CS & I fostered Mr. Man and Miss Moo & their siblings before they adopted us. The younger ones learned quickly which cat was In Charge, but I am convinced that they extended her life by at least 6 months.
You done good!!
She looks like a Clementine to me.
She also may have just been born in the wild to a stray mother and not abandoned or lost by a human.
I'm so glad you heard her cries for you. I only wish I could come let her snuggle with me.
Elle, I'm pretty sure the neighbors will never have a chance to see her! I loved her instantly, too, and I don't think I could bear to give her up. I will check to make sure she doesn't belong to someone though. I don't want some poor child to be sobbing for their kitty!
Tattered, I had no idea that Manx cats had their own inherent physical problems. I've never had the opportunity to own one. I love the name Wee Bobbie! Give him a hug for me!
dutchbaby, I think she has already found her home! ;)
ds, you are a very smart woman! She is running and playing and testing the big cats coping abilities! She's consistently using her litter box, yay! The DH hasn't said one word about her leaving, which is highly unusual. I'm thinking he kind of likes her, too! Feh! What's one more cat, right?
Molly, I considered that possibility, but she just looks too clean. No mites in her ears which is usually a sign they've been born in the wild, but then again, maybe the weather had something to do with that. Her eyes are very clean, too. She does have a little boo-boo near her nose with a scab and an almost healed scratch or cut near her mouth.
I LOVE the name Clementine! I think you win the contest!
Thank goodness you were there to rescue her!
She is so pretty, I can't imagine anyone cruel enough to abandon her like that.
(Although my mother once told me that farmers use to drown the barn kittens in sacks, my grandfather included. I just can't imagine it.)
I know you will find her a good home, if not with you than with another loving family. That she has taken to you both is a very good sign.
Give her warm hugs from us.
I'm so glad you found her. She's so cute. This reminds me of the time a stray calico showed up at our door. We had her for years - until she died.
I'll never understand why people abandon animals. There are so many other alternatives. Thank goodness you heard her cries. I hope you can find a home for her.
I burst out laughing and gushing when I saw the picture of her in David's crook. Your photos are gorgeous, and she is just beautiful. Those green eyes! I don't think you should ask the neighbors. If she belongs to them, and they don't ask everyone in the neighborhood if they found her, well there's something wrong with them! Right?
The Universe brought you together, Wait wait, have you named her? If not, you gonna ask the grandkids to name her? Or us?? :D
"Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." You could name her "Ilsa" for the rescued femme fatale in "Casablanca". :)
Oh, and I didn't know nothin' about Calicos being mostly female?? Oh, and if she turns out to be male, Ilsa might be a wee bit feminine. How about Claude, or Louis? :D
Sorry, I'm just so tickled by this story and her beauty - and your lovingkindness.
Natashya, your Pugs would love her...something to chase! Lucy (our dog) is being driven crazy by the kitten's antics. She keeps trying to keep her in one place like a good little kitty should behave. I think this one is going to be very mischievious! :)
Bella, she seems to feel right at home! And the cats are slowly being nicer to her, so there is hope she will fit in.
Ruthie, you are sneak-y! You're right though...if I had lost one, I would be ringing every doorbell trying to locate her!
It was all I could do not to laugh when she climbed right up David's pant leg and onto his lap. She looked so cute sitting there looking up at him. He tried to ignore her, but was quickly won over by her kitty charms! He didn't even say his usual, "We're not keeping that cat!" LOL
I'm thinking of having a naming contest! Molly has already submitted Clementine and now you with Ilsa, both of which I like.
Oh, btw, her eyes aren't really that green...it was the flash. Ours appear red, cats appear green! Strange, eh? The color is really a very pretty medium gray.
What's another cat? The other ones will stop freaking out and then begin the pouting stage which includes using your slippers for litter boxes. When that all runs its course, things will be fine.
If you name it, you will keep it!! (kinda like chickens)
I think she came into your life for a reason. Keep us updated. I hope you keep her, but as long as she has a home...
Don, yeah, that's what I always say! Frankie, the youngest cat, is already playing with the kitten. So cute! And Tobey is hissing less. Cricket is...well, just being Cricket...she doesn't like anyone. Old and cranky she is!
They better not use my new slippers! LOL
Stacy, you may be right...I believe there's a reason for everything. And I will keep everyone posted.
Beautiful kitty...your husband deserves his own..and she is smart enough to know who to snuggle up to. Keep her.
www.wildlifearoundus.blogspot.com
Carol, you're right! And it's working! She has charmed DH completely! She's also a sassy little thing and loves teasing the other cats. I'm waiting for her to get her comeuppance!
Woo hoo - oh my darling Clementine - she's a smart cookie. Making nice so quickly. Do let us know the next chapter.
Oh my gosh, Molly! She's running all over the house and chasing the other cats! Frankie is actually playing with her! She is one sassy kitten once she got her tummy filled up...so I'm thinking her name could be Sassy Clementine! How's that sound?
The more names the better. We started off with Tedy and Lucy and now they are called Tedy Bear McLovin' and Lucy Loo. Tedy is also referred to as The Lump of Love (because he is fat and loves a warm lap) and the Snow Beast (as he likes to sit outside underneath the bird feeder in a snow storm covered by falling snow wondering why the birdies won't come visit). Although I often refer to Lucy as Little One, she is more frequenty referred to as Lucy No. As in - Lucy! No!
Post a Comment