I was feeling rather overwhelmed and down this morning. Feeling like I couldn’t keep up with what needed to be done, from mental musings to tidying up the house. Then I checked my voicemail from the day before that I had forgotten to read. Much to my surprise it was good news!
Around December a stray cat found its way to our door step (this happens a lot with dogs and cats…they must know I love animals, lol). He had a runny eye and a messed up little nose, practically only having one working nostril. He got a few minutes of love from me and some food from my husband before I had to head to bed.
The next morning he was back at our porch. My daughter saw him and was playing with him and giving him lots of love. While she was back in the house getting ready and my gathering her things for the day, the cat sat on the ledge under the window and persistently meowed…he was very vocal. I, of course, would have let him in if it were up to me. But we already have 2 cats and a dog and my husband isn’t a big fan of cats especially (much to my dismay I didn’t find out till after we moved in together, I already had two cats of my own and he would pet them and give them attention, so there really wasn’t any sign of it. It’s funny how people can change once they’ve lured you in).
Everyone was ready to go so we get in the car, start to buckle up and such. The kitty kept following us, he is simply too sweet. I got out the car a few times to put him in the yard, but he kept beating me back to the car. We really had to get a move on it so we wouldn’t be late. I started the car, knowing that kitty was somewhere near. I couldn’t see him because our vehicle sits up high. I took my foot off of the break and let the car mumble forward as slow as it could go. And yes, I hit the cat. Well partially ran over him is more accurate. Once I heard his scream I hauled it into reverse, jumped out of the car and ran over to him (as he had “run” across the street to safety). He was terrified, but I wrapped him in a sweatshirt that was in the car and handed him to my daughter. Going as fast as I could to the nearest vet which was less than a 1/8 of a mile away and on the same route to the school. I didn’t care if we were late.
The vet took him in to be cared for and find out what was wrong. I couldn’t just leave him to suffer. I left and got my daughter to school.
Later in the day they called and gave me an update. Kitty was alive, but his pelvis had been broken. 😦
I felt awful. How could I have done this?
He stayed with them for a few nights, to see if he would eat and use the bathroom properly. I was told that often times injuries like that would heal on their own. Things were looking up the second night although he was in a lot of pain (completely understandable). I brought him home (over $300 later) along with some pain meds. He stayed in my daughter’s room so he would have peace and quiet away from the other animals. I slept in there with him for the first three nights. I made sure to get up every few hours to give him a bit to eat and put him in the potty box to do his business, to which he did not object to. After that I brought him downstairs (he was still huddled up in the carrier) to get him used to people again and love on him and to coax him out of his depression (again totally understandable). I Finally got him to take some water. I kept putting drops on his nose until he licked them off…repeat and repeat some more. I knew if didn’t start drinking water again he wouldn’t last long. My persistence paid off. Every day he got a bit better. I would bring him out of his little hovel, love on him and to try to lift his spirits. I kept tempting him to play without much success. Slowly but surely, over a few weeks, he was back to his old self. He had a funny walk as one of his legs was a bit crooked, but he got around just fine. First walking, then running and finally jumping. My daughter and I loved him. He was such a sweet silly boy, at first named Mr. Liono Fluffypants, but later, somehow we started calling him Kee-Kee. Kee-Kee was so funny and loving. My daughter practically carried him everywhere and they cuddled during the night. It was sooo sweet! After a while he wanted to roam back outside. From then on, he would come in and out several times a day, politely scratching at the door. Perhaps, persistently is a better word.
He stayed almost two months before my husband said he had to go since we weren’t planning on keeping him anyway. And the housing office came and told me to take him to the shelter. He couldn’t be running around outside. He loved playing with the kids even if the picked him up like a doll. But they pushed me to get rid of him (take him to the shelter). I flat-out told the lady that it wasn’t going to happen. It was a kill shelter, and seeing as he had a boo boo eye and some weird little nose they wouldn’t have thought twice about putting him down. I was Not going to let that happen.
So after emailing 20 different No- kill shelters in the state, one had enough room to take him. They were 2 and a half hours away, but it didn’t matter to me. I wanted him to be loved.
Fast forward to this morning when I found out that he had been adopted! After being neutered, and treated for a respiratory infection he was ready to find a home. He tested negative for Feline leukemia and feline aids which we were all praying for. And his awkward looking nose and eye turned out to be a birth defect. So no harm there.
At first when I took him to the no-kill shelter my daughter was very sad, I tried to explain it the best I could of course, but she is only 8 after all. All she knew was that he was her buddy and snuggle buddy at that.
It makes me VERY happy he found a new loving home. I am sure he will make them laugh every day just like he did me. And most of all he get the forever home he deserves. I’m sure they will love him as much as he does them!!!!
Whew…thats it. That is what made my day. It might have been a bit long-winded so sorry about that. But that is the story of Kee-Kee (or whatever his new family calls him). I know I did the right thing and it turns out that is Worldwide Pay It Forward day! Coincidence? I think not! 😉
Support your local No-Kill Animal Rescues! Every animal deserves to be loved and find a forever home!!
Randomly Me 