We have a new kitten
By Carolyn63
@Carolyn63 (1403)
United States
December 20, 2012 2:24pm CST
Okay, so we weren't exactly looking for another pet but the neighbors came by concerned as they had heard meowing all day. They had searched their property and couldn't find where it was coming from. So my husband got his flashlight and went across the street to search. The kitten popped up on a rock and he said, here ya go, here is your kitten. They explained they already have an indoor cat and have to keep it in a room because of their dogs whom would kill it. My husband explained we already have 4 cats and one stray we feed. However, it was supposed to drop into the 20's that night and he wasn't about to just leave it outdoors. So, he came home, looked at me and said what do we do. Duh. We have a new kitten.
It was obvious he had been under a diesel truck at some point. He was greasy and smelled terrible. Fortunately he is old enough to eat regular cat food and knows how to use the litter box. We cleaned him up and discovered he is a male. And he appears to be part siamese and part orange tabby. His ears and tail are orange tabby and his body is a light cream color. He has the prettiest blue eyes. The other cats are finally getting used to him. Well, all but Carly and she thinks she is the boss of the world. They have already taught him some bad habits. And I've already begun putting the nick nacks away to keep them safe.
He is adorable. We named him Merlin.
4 responses
@Carolyn63 (1403)
• United States
21 Dec 12
I'd not heard of a flame point. Thank you. And he does look like that somewhat, but his body is much more a cream color. Those are the same blue eyes though. And if you catch him in just the right light you will see an orange stripe down his back. My husband calls that his racing stripe.
1 person likes this
@Carolyn63 (1403)
• United States
21 Dec 12
I had to adopt him. People often have issues when it comes to cats. The first two cats my husband and I adopted were indoor/outdoor cats. One day Simon came home acting funny. He stopped breathing several times in my lap. We didn't want him to suffer so we took him to the vet. They felt he had been poisoned and couldn't do anything. His brother, Sylvestor never showed back up at the house.
My husband calls Merlin, Merlin Man. I call him Merlin Monster. Kittens, they are adorable, funny, and get into everything!
@savypat (20216)
• United States
20 Dec 12
I know where you are, there is nothing like a kitten in trouble to break your heart. In a way we are lucky, most of the strays who come to us are to wild for taming, so we feed them and give them save haven in the hay and barn.
@Carolyn63 (1403)
• United States
20 Dec 12
I know a few people whom are able to offer strays such homes. As there are so many people in this world that still fear cats I'm always happy to hear there are people like you out there. My husband's family are afraid of cats. Works for me. Keeps the in laws away, lol.
Just a few days ago a friend was telling me he had quite a few in his barn. He snags a few as he can to get them spayed or neutered and then releases them back to the barn. He said the vet clips the ears on those whom they've worked on so he can tell whom still needs to visit the vet. Now and again someone will ask him for a cat for their own barn.
Thanks for sharing.
@StLouisMetroTutoring (678)
• St. Peters, Missouri
20 Dec 12
We didn't come by our new kitten in quite such a dramatic way. My daughter and I were at our vet's office getting a rabies shot for one of my adult cats. While we were there, we saw the receptionist playing with two kittens. Naturally, my daughter went to pet them. Come to find out, someone had dumped the poor dears on their doorstep that morning and they were waiting for animal control to come and get them. One was very sickly and was partially blind. The receptionist explained the situation. Of course, she also included their future prospects. Heartbroken, my daughter begged me to bring them both home. We already have two cats and we rent. I knew this wouldn't fly. She then wanted the sickly one. I would have loved to give this little kitty a forever home. But I felt I had to be responsible and say I knew I couldn't afford the care that would be needed. So she looked at me with imploring eyes and asked if we could PLEEEEEEEEEEEASE get the other. How could I say no????? I promised if our landlord said yes, the kitty could call our home, home. Of course our landlord has 5 cats of her own and takes care of 5 outdoor cats as well. She's known as the cat rescuer of the neighborhood. I knew she wouldn't say no. Welcome home, new kitty!
@Carolyn63 (1403)
• United States
21 Dec 12
My husband and I have not been blessed with children. Instead, we have 7 dogs, the 5 indoor cats and the one stray. And one does want to be responsible when there are added issues.
I was involved with a rescue group for years. There was an older dog that had to have surgery to have a cancerous mass removed. We didn't want him to spend the rest of his life in a small kennel and knew no one would be interested in adopting such an animal. We brought his home with us and he spent many wonderful years playing with our other dogs. We were of course heartbroken when the time came for us to "let him move on." But we expected eventually the cancer would be back. But we wouldn't trade the time with him for anything.
We love our pets. Some we have adopted. Some were strays. We truly loved the time we spent at the rescue facility. We fostered several animals ourselves over the years.
Sadly, be it a rescue facility or a vet, animals are often dumped on the doorstep. Yes, it's a shame, but it's better than what we've seen done.
Bless you and your new kitten.
