Pets
Related: About this forumI had an amazing experience, this morning. Amazing and nearly tragic. (kind of long)
Another cat brought her babies to one of my shelters. Then, one morning, she started moving them. I thought, well, thats fine. Well, she moved them beneath the non-running John Deere lawn tractor. I know that sounds weird but shes not the first to do that.
Flash forward to last night. Since we were due for rain, I tried to make sure that mama and her babies had a dry place to go, in case we got a drenching rain.
This morning I went out, between rain showers, to see if any of the ferals were around. I heard a LOUD distressed meow and saw 3 of the kittens, drenched to the bone. There was no sign of their mother. I grabbed them up and brought them inside. Then I went out to look for the 4th one - the runt of the litter. I saw him and my heart sank. He was stretched out, not moving. I was sure he was dead. I picked him up, he was cold. I had to try, though, so I started briskly rubbing his belly, chest and back and within about a minute I saw movement. I rushed him inside, dried him off as best I could and then ran for the heating pad. He couldnt hold up his head or move his legs. But he was breathing.
It took a while but between the heating pad and me holding him next to my heart, his core temperature went back up and he became much more active. I didnt leave his side and constantly checked to make sure he was still breathing.
After about another hour I looked down and he was up and walking. He took in some milk and pate and then curled up with his siblings for some rest. (The siblings were all wet but other than that, just fine.)
I finally saw their mother and took one of the kittens out to her. She ignored it and the kitten ran, frantically meowing, back to me. Ill put them out later this afternoon and watch to see what happens. Hopefully their mom will step up but if she doesnt, they will be taken care of. Honestly, I cant imagine why she abandoned them during that kind of weather!
Now I'm going to pour myself some fine Welsh whisky and cuddle with my indoor babies. They've been very patient with the situation.
Raven123
(6,038 posts)AnnaLee
(1,157 posts)Maybe she wants you to take them, recognizing that you can care for them better than she does during storms. Is she a first-time mother?
Siwsan
(27,286 posts)I found her, this morning, in another shelter that is very close to where the kittens were meowing. Mom was dry. I'm so perplexed.
I think I'm still processing this experience. Especially since it comes the day after I found Lush, hit by a car.
elleng
(136,055 posts)daioni!
Karadeniz
(23,417 posts)fridge. Just a fingertip-ful spread on their tongue. Congratulations on saving a life !!!
Siwsan
(27,286 posts)It was so cute when he realized what I was trying to get in his mouth was milk (goat milk). I have no idea when these kittens had last eaten. They are just at the age where mom would be starting to wean them.
It is an amazing feeling. I am sure had I found them even a few minutes later, he wouldn't have survived. When I reunited him with his sisters, one of them started licking his face. It was so sweet.
fierywoman
(8,105 posts)arkielib
(354 posts)and for taking care of all the furbabies. I watch daily for your updates. You are a wonderful person with a big heart!
Polly Hennessey
(7,453 posts)thankful we have you Siwsan. You help us as much as you help the kittens. There is such a thing as Welsh whiskey? Who knew.
Siwsan
(27,286 posts)It is pretty wonderful but also pretty expensive. I received a bottle as a gift and have a small glass only on very special occasions.
Polly Hennessey
(7,453 posts)onecaliberal
(35,804 posts)CousinIT
(10,193 posts)They know they're safe with you!
2naSalit
(92,684 posts)But it's good you were dialed in on their presence and found them in time. Good on you!
I saw the picture earlier.
republianmushroom
(17,630 posts)Karma !