The day started out kind of peaceful but then went wild. I let Callie out the door and for a good two seconds, all was quiet. Then the screaming started. Callie had something cornered on my side porch.
I know I have a resident armadillo hanging out under the porch and I hoped that was what she was attacking. I feared it might be a raccoon or a bobcat. Heart pounding I turned the corner with my walking stick in hand but was not prepared for what I saw.
There with its back against the wall, doing its best Halloween cat imitation was a tiny ball of orange fur. The tiny kitten was maybe 5 weeks old. Every hair it owned was at attention, back was arched and very claw and tooth was on display. The hiss was small also but it was enough to put Callie into cautious killer mode.
Relieved I didn't have to fend off a fierce wild animal, I turned my attention to Callie. Oddly enough, she backed off when I told her to. She actually went around the front of the house by the door and I let her back in. Could she have been relieved I had intervened? I have never seen her give up so easily.
Went back around to see about the kitten who was still in full defense posture. I reached for it and was rewarded with hissing and spitting. Have to admit the little scrap of fur intimidated me a bit and I quickly got some gloves.
As soon as I picked it up, it quieted down. This kitten knew people. I had a cat carrier that I used for Minnie, so I put the little one in that and placed it in the back of my pick up. Now what?
I really do need to get a working camera if only a point and shoot for things like this. Sorry, no pictures but actually I was too busy when it was happening to take any.
My age won't let me sign up to care for an infant animal. I am trying my best to outlive Callie and Minnie. I'd never outlast a kitten that could possibly live 20 more years so it had to go.
Called the Humane Society but they had no room at the Inn. They said they could probably take it Monday but that was days away. Then I figured my veterinary might know of someone who could foster the kitten till Monday and it turned out he knew someone who would take the baby right away. Pretty sure there is a delightful cat lady on his patient list.
What makes me mad is that I am pretty sure it wasn't a feral kitten. There would have been more of them and neither me nor my neighbor have seen an adult cat around. Also once I handled it, it calmed right down.
So some spineless soul most likely dropped it off. Pox on them.
Luckily for you people though is that if my vet had not come through, I was going to have a kitten giveaway with this post. Phew. You can relax.
Curious though, would you have signed up for the kitten giveaway? Free shipping:)
Really Patti, who with any heart at all could resist a wee kitten? Ellie Mae and my cat before her, Licorice, were both dropped and abandoned here. I was angry with the sneaky and unknown dropper at the time but came to love these half wild felines. Sadly, I'm too old now for a forever-home commitment.
ReplyDeleteFlorence,
DeleteI know the mixed feelings over a dropped off animal. Minnie came to me that way and I am not sorry now. Still like you, I can no longer sign up for the commitment needed for a new, young pet.
Sorry, but I wouldn't help you out on that one. My daughter and granddaughter are both cat crazy (animals of any kind but mostly cats) and I could have a supply of kittens for the asking. I wouldn't mind have a cat but Don is very allergic.
ReplyDeleteOlga,
DeleteYour daughter and grand are special ladies to have big hearts towards cats. Maybe we could have entered them in the drawing:) Sorry Don is allergic. I have a friend with a similar problem. There is no way for them to even be near a cat.
I follow a community message board and am amazed at how may dogs and kittens get lost on a weekly bases. glad I didn't win your kitten give-away. LOL
ReplyDeleteJean,
DeleteGuess you have your own supply of adoptables available. You can relax, you are not on any lists for a giveaway:)
Patti I live quite a distance from your homestead, but I'm pretty sure I would've taken it. As you know, I've been giving this a lot of thought the last year or so... PLUS I can't stop watching "Kitten Lady" on Youtube. You GOTTA check her channel out, she is young but very down to earth and takes in kittens on their last legs (to ready them for adoption). She explains just what do do for every situation you can imagine. Anyway, I'm just glad Callie's a good girl and your nerves weren't too frazzled by that little orange spitball.
ReplyDeleteDoug,
DeleteI did think of you as you had once mentioned how you were leaning that way to get a cat. We could have worked out the distance. Thanks for the link, I will definitely check it out.
I was impressed how Callie stopped her attack on command. Good girl.
I too am old enough to be unable to take in a little kitten, but I've had my share during my life. Thank you for finding a way, Patti.
ReplyDeleteDjan,
DeleteI understand the age thing only too well. It is time for the younger ones to take over the tasks. I am just so grateful for my vet.
I might have signed up. I am having kitten fever and have always wanted an orange cat. All my felines are grey.
ReplyDeleteAnnie,
DeleteOoh, you sound prime for an adoption. Think you would have loved the little baby. She/he was really cute.
I would NOT have signed up. I am an enormous irrational fear of cats. Not tigers - house cats. Nope. I'd have gotten someone else to help the cat but I couldn't go near it. Can't even look at them. Ooooh.Pathetic aren't I?
ReplyDeleteMargaret,
DeleteTotally understand. I am the same way about spiders. There was a time when while they didn't hurt me, they made me hurt myself getting away.
You are not pathetic, just saddled with a phobia that even has a name.
Really nice save, Patti. That little kitten was lucky to cross paths with you. We have neighbors here on our little suburban street who rescue kitty cats (and doggies). There's a whole network of people who spend their days helping these critters who wind up lost or homeless. I would have called them. Thank you for helping like this!
ReplyDeleterobin,
DeleteI am just feeling fortunate the I got to it before Callie hurt it.
How lucky you have such a network in your area. They are wonderful people who devote their lives to caring. Love them for it.
Thank goodness Callie and you found the kitten before it got run over by a car or taken by some wild animal. I detest people who dispose of their kittens so easily.
ReplyDeleteThankfully it sounds as though the little one will have a happy future.
Eileen,
DeleteMe too on people who do that. I would like to drop them off naked and afraid somewhere dangerous to see how they like it.
Oh, I'm so glad you found that kitten and took it somewhere safe. Our resident feral mama now has her 4 kittens on our back porch. They are adorable... and we would probably take all of them in... but for not only our age thing, but also they are about 6-7 weeks old and very feral... run like the devil as soon as they see us, but back on the porch the minute we disappear.
ReplyDeleteRian,
DeleteIt was your posts about the ferals you are taking care of that made me think this one wasn't. She had no fear of me once I had her in my hands.
I'm relieved that the kitty will find a place, and discouraged by those who would dump those helpless animals off to fend for themselves. I have cared for a long time stray and now have an adopted black cat that I'm hoping to outlive!
ReplyDeleteMargaret,
DeleteI understand the desire to want to outlive our pets. I'm trying to also.
I try not to even look at a puppy or a kitten as they just make you want to take them home.
ReplyDeleteJoeh,
DeleteYour last post with the feel good stories let me see just what a softie you are. Marvelous trait.
If we didn't have Isaiah, no problem adopting. But he is DEFINITELY a male cat & would destroy that fur ball.
ReplyDeleteAnni,
DeleteWe do have to understand the needs of our current pets. I know Callie would do the same as Isaiah given the chance.
I'm glad the kitty has a home. And no, I would not want your kitty. I am doing very nicely with my borrowed cat, and he would not be happy to have his territory invaded.
ReplyDeleteLinda,
DeleteYou all ready have the perfect cat. All the pleasure and none of the problems. Can't beat that.
I hate those spineless souls with a fiery passion! Dumping poor tiny kittens :(
ReplyDeleteMuch as I love kittens, I won't be signing up to take one, I can only afford one cat and Lola is only 12 so she has a good many years left.
River,
DeleteMe too. Don't think Lola would like a younger kitty around and you are right. They do live a long time.
I love orange cats. That is how I ended up with one in my 20s. I heard meowing at my townhouse door, I opened it and viola I was a cat owner. Pretty sure he was dropped off too.
ReplyDeleteSue,
DeleteInteresting how strays will come up to your door. Minnie did that only though for added measure, she climbed the screen door. Hard to say no when they do that.
It was good of you to take the kitten to the vet. As for me, I don't like cats. That says it all. Haha.
ReplyDeletegigi,
DeleteHa ha, that scratches you off any future lists.
Veterinarians always save the day!
ReplyDeleteTom,
DeleteThey are on my list of the "best". All creatures great or small types or just small town vets that go the extra mile.
No, I wouldn't have signed up for a kitten give-away for the same reason you didn't keep it. I would have had a dog some years ago but I figured it would outlive me and I worried about what would become of the dog, so same would be true of a cat.
ReplyDeleteJoared,
DeleteI know. I hate that out living a pet now has to be a consideration. But it must be a factor.
Breaks my heart to admit it, but I too am cursed with animals that live forEVER and I so do not want someone else to have to figure out what to do with aged cats. My accepting level now is maybe cats well into middle age, at least 8 or 9, maybe older.
DeleteIf that doesn't happen, well, these will be the last two. Boo.
No kitten give away here please. Yes, we have found several small kittens that have been thrown from cars, and it breaks my heart.
ReplyDeleteMage,
DeleteOk you are off the list:) I say every day "what is wrong with people." How can they do that?
To Hawaii? Just kidding. Actually, we have enough feral cats, kittens and chickens in my neighborhood. You are an angel, Patti.
ReplyDeleteHi Patti ... I love your idea of blocking out the 22nd day on every month on my calendar. I try to play my superstition up as silly but I really do stay close to home on that day each month.
ReplyDeleteAs to the kitten ... I have to say NO. It would be doing the critter a disservice !
I'm dying for a pet, but I'm also too close to dying period to have one! Sometimes, I wonder if I could get a dog and coerce one of my kids to take it when I die. But - no.... Glad your vet came to the rescue, and Callie didn't kill hte kitty.
ReplyDelete