In for a Penny, In for 14 Ounces
Woman in the Middle | June 25, 2015Some of you who read the following story are going to think Hubby and I are very kind people. Some of you are going to think we are crazy. But I bet all of you will be thinking, “I am glad that isn’t me!”
As I mentioned a couple of days ago, we have taken in two adorable feral kittens. I decided they needed to go to the vet yesterday. One of them seemed to have the runs (although I wasn’t sure which one) and both had terrible fleas, which can cause anemia. So Eldest Daughter and I took them in. I could take two little kittens by myself, but misery loves company so I made her go along.
The kittens were weighed. The orange one weighs 1.3 lbs. The little black one weighs just 14 ounces. Happily neither one had a temperature. Then the lovely and wonderful Dr. B came in to give the kittens a quick exam. She estimated that they were 4-5 weeks old. The black one was so much smaller than the orange one that she pondered for a moment if they were from different litters. But they were obviously bonded to each other so she decided the little black guy must have been the runt of the litter.
But, then she found what could have been the cause of his stunted growth – the back left leg of the black kitten was broken! Oh no! A quick x-ray showed a very bad break. The femur is broken and the ends are no where near each other and completely offset. Surgery would be required to put pins in to pull the ends together. The x-ray showed remodeling which indicates that this tiny kitten has been dealing with a broken leg most of his very short life.
In spite of this bad break, the little guy still hobbles around on the leg. He was scrambling around pretty good when we were trying to catch them. But when I think of the pain he must be dealing with, it breaks my heart.
While they didn’t say so, it was obvious to us that the estimate for his surgery was much lower than it would normally have been. By this time Hubby, who had taken the afternoon off from work, showed up at the vet. I had texted him about the break. We agreed to bite the bullet and give the brave feral kitten a shot at life, as the only other choice was to put him down. As Hubby says, “it is only money.”
How could we possibly not try to save this cute little guy? Note his poor leg hanging down.
The kitten needs to get healthier first, so surgery is scheduled in a week, if things go well. We are soft hearted crazy people. This is why we try to keep ourselves out of these kinds of situations. But sometimes animals find us no matter how much we try to keep away.
If I thought I was running a pet care facility before, I really am now. You should see me juggling the dietary needs and medicines of four needy animals, one of which still hisses at me when every I come near. Folks, life is like a river, you never know which way it will turn!
I got it. I have 4 cats. Only one was planned. The others were rescued off the streets or in the case of Morgan from a kill shelter (she only had one eye — who would adopt her if not us?) Love your husband. He’s right. It’s only money and you couldn’t sleep if you didn’t help. I also understand about running a healthcare center for animals. I always seem to have one old cat with a foot on the banana peel and a few others ready to take the peel as soon as he goes. He now wants to eat every 3 or 4 hours. Can’t keep food down at his level or Hazel (our Hoover vacuum cleaner) will eat it. She has lost 3-1/2 lbs. but is eager to put it back on. I keep saying we have to downsize and won’t replace as they leave us. We all know how that works. I know I couldn’t say no to that black kitty or an orange one. I have always wanted an orange cat but it hasn’t happened. It’s so great that you found them or they would surely be dead. Can’t believe that you didn’t see the mother. Think someone dropped them off?
We are puzzled by the lack of a mother as well. We wonder if someone dropped them off in the “nice” neighborhood. I think it is amazing that they survived in the heat for a couple of days and that the little one survived with a broken leg. Like I said, cats are amazing!
That adorable black kitten is looking at the camera wondering, “What’s going on, and why are you being so nice to me?”
You are definitely kind people. And you are definitely crazy people. But the kind part is much bigger than the crazy part! Lucky kittens!
Looks like your river has turned toward caring for little lives. I commend you and your hubby for your kindness. You are sweet people – not crazy, and I know there are many people and creatures who love you back.