Jul 23, 2014

A baby on my doorstep

Hi.  Not a good day.  I've been seeing the St. Jude commercials which tear my heart out and have been boo-hooing a lot lately.  Well I'm really bawling now.  I came home this morning and went to the back to feed the deer before entering the house.  I looked at my patio door, and there was Budman lying on one side of the door, Nitzy on the other, and I kept looking and looking at what was between them.  Was there a fight that left a pile of hair?  No.  It was this.
A kitten that hasn't been weaned, is sneezing, coughing, and has eyes filled with pus, and a body filled with fleas.  Not good.  He is crying constantly, trying to curl up (or nurse) from the two boys and I am afraid they will hurt him.  So far they are hissing and swatting.  I called the shelter, they won't take him because he has a respiratory illness, and is not weaned. I have never once had an agency or even our shelter, take a stray, injured, or sick animal for me.  I called three other agencies and for one reason or another, will not take him.  I called the vet for euthanizing and they won't do it without an "exam" of $50 first and then the injection is $150.  Another will not treat unweaned kittens.  I know agencies are full, lack help, and certainly lack funds to help everyone, but I get so disgusted. 
 I don't know how much longer he will last, but we'll do everything we can to keep him comfortable.  I gave him baby food mixed with water but he didn't know what to do, he drank a little Catsip, but he kept choking or coughing.  We will do what we can for him and end his suffering if need be.  Yes I am an animal lover, but over the years I've had to accept that I can't save them all.  As selfish as it may be, I do not want to take in such a baby and try to treat him (if I can even find a vet that would) only to lose him anyway.  Nor do I want another cat with neighbors threatening to poison.  I hope his litter mates are not suffering.  He is so tiny.  But I am glad he ended up here so he won't be alone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
 
 

38 comments:

Primitive Stars said...

You are an Angel Marley, Hugs Francine.

nitebyrd said...

Apparently, he was "sent" to you because you are an animal lover. You're doing the absolute best so he won't suffer. I share your frustration and anger at vets and shelters that won't/can't help. Also, you're right when you say you can't save them all - sometimes a peaceful death is the most kind thing you can give.

Sending you some good thoughts!

C M Designs said...

If you had the baby put to sleep then you would know that it's not suffering.
Have you checked on the internet for shelters who take cats in. Maybe someone in that area could help you.
There must be a call of the wild that lets the poor feral and stray kitties know that to you and your home is a wonderful place to go for help.
Wishing you the best of luck and peace with this kitten.
Charlotte in Virginia

Mouse said...

awww bless his cotton paws .... I hope that he can fight his bugs and improve for you ... poor wee poppet love mouse xxxx

wranglerkate said...

Hi there! You need to get in touch with Teresa of Shakespeare's Peddler blog/website. She has taken in kittens like this, has worked at a shelter in her town for awhile, and still fosters cats and kittens in her home. She is a wealth of information. If you go to her Facebook page, there's an icon for a message. Hopefully, you two can connect on this. Good luck!

gracie said...

Twice I raised kittens just hours old. My vet sold me formula, not expensive, and nursing bottles. They both survived. Good luck to you with this precious furbaby.

Karen said...

Heartbreaking.

Robin in Virginia said...

Bless your heart for caring enough to try to do something for this wee one. Peaceful wishes sent your way.

Robin in Virginia

Anonymous said...

Hi, I sent an email, PLEASE write back or call, PLEASE, I want/need to help! Thank you, Debbie in IL

Carol said...

Awww...that breaks my heart. Poor little thing! I know you will give him the best life possible, Marly. He obviously ended up in your yard for a reason.

Vickie said...

Oh my! Looks just like my mother's new kitten Cutie. Or a mini Bud. I know you will make the best choices. You have shown us in the past how caring and good you are with these feral cats. God bless you both!

Pamela said...

Oh no! He looks just like the kitten I adopted in May. I am sitting here crying just looking at his little face. So heartbreaking.
You are a special lady to take care of all those kitties.
He knew you were a special angel that will take care of him.
My thoughts are with you.
Pam

Unknown said...

Ahh so sad. It's frustrateing I'm sure for you. But your like me. It breaks your heart to see them suffer. Maybe a vet would prescribe an antibiotic for you. Either an injectable ( might be able to do a subcutaneous injection) they have one now that lasts days in the system. Or a liquid to put in baby food. He must have an upper respiratory infection Poor guy. Good luck with him !

Unknown said...

Local pet food stores have nursing bottles and formula. If you want to get involved with that. And maybe if you get a liquid antibiotic you could give him some help. So sorry for you both. It's a lot to take on. I sent some sympathy.

Solstitches said...

Oh what a sad story.
I wish there could be a happy ending but he is in good hands.
Whatever the outcome you will have done the very best you could for him.
Margaret

Hazel said...

Oh that's so sad! Our last cat looked just like that. xx

Ann said...

I'm willing to help with the financial part of his care. I'll send you an email with my contact info.

Jeannine520 said...

Oh no! Happens to me so frequently for some reason. The pus in the eyes is a bacterial infection that I was told by my vet comes from living outside in certain types of bushes. It clears up easily in a few days with antibiotic ointment. As far as the respiratory prob, I believe they can be nursed back to health and will recover from it. I sure hope this guy can recover and lead a happy life. I wish you were in CA, I'd take care of him for ya!

Jeannine520 said...

ps - if you decide to nurse him back to health I would be happy to help you with finances, too. Please let me know how I can help.

jan said...

My daughter was helping a friend who had rescued 4 tiny kittens abandoned on a parking lot,so young their eyes were still closed. Despite hourly feedings of formula with injectors and later bottles, they lost 3 of the kittens. When they had only the last kitten, they looked on Craig's list for people seeking homes for kittens and "borrowed" a momma cat who nursed the kitten. They supplemented with baby food as well. Happily Waldo is now doing well, although still tiny, but he will be making his home with my daughter's friend.

WoolenSails said...

That is so sad and so infuriating with shelters not taking animals. I have the same problem, they tell me to not feed them and they will go away. A neighbor moved and left her older cat here and we have been feeding him but he is old and today he was lying under my porch, covered in flies and his eye is full of pus. I left a photo on the shelters Facebook page so hopefully someone will be able to help him or put him down.

Debbie

Margaret said...

Oh Marly, how heartbreaking. :( I'm so sorry you have to face this with no help from anyone....

Krista said...

Poor little guy! Sending you and kitty hugs!

Barb said...

How very sad this makes me feel!The poor little thing.

Jackie said...

So sorry for you and the little kitty.I know how sad it is to find a feral kitten and try to do what's best for them. I had recused several over the years. Good luck to you.

Anonymous said...

I AM FEEDING 4 LITTLE KITTENS THAT LOOKED MUCH WORSE THAN THIS ONE WITHOUT MUCH HOPE. ALL YOU NEED IS SOME LIQUAD ANTIBIOTICS, KITTEN FORMULA MIXED WITH PEDIALITE AND A KITTEN BOTTLE. AS FOR THE EYES BOIL A TEA BAG AND LET THE TEA COOL A BIT BUT WHILE STILL WARM APPLY A COMPRESS TO THE EYES FOR A FEW MINUTES EVERY FEW HOURS. THERE IS HOPE FOR THIS LITTLE FELLOW. I HAVE RESCUED MANY KITTENS AND HAVE NEVER LOST ONE YET DOING THIS. GOOD LUCK BUT PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP ON HIM YET.

Deb said...

The poor wee mite, bless you for trying to help him and caring for him Marly.

Anonymous said...

Oh that is so heartbreaking. :( I'm glad he has you to comfort him in his final hours or days.

Earlene said...

Awwww so cute and sad that he is so sick.
You are so sweet.
Earlene

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

So sorry you're sad.

Judy said...

Oh the poor little guy does look quite sick. He knew right where to go for help! Best of luck to him..and you for wanting to help.

Judy Heartland stitcher

Kathy L. said...

Poor little guy. You are an angel!

Kathy

Rugs and Pugs said...

Marly,
I am so sorry :( At least for a very short time he knew what it was like to be cared about and loved.
Hugs,
Lauren

Rugs and Pugs said...

Marly,
I am so sorry :( At least for a very short time he knew what it was like to be cared about and loved.
Hugs,
Lauren

Frances said...

So heartbreaking. You have been so good to him and given him pleasure and love. I'm sure that's why he ended up at your house. A precious kitty!

My Colonial Home said...

SOOOOO SAD.
I READ YOUR LAST POST WHERE WEE ONE PASSED ON...I'm so sorry Marly and you are a dear heart to take care of this sweet little thing to the end.
I too understand the system but I don't have to like it.
Thank you for caring. I too would have done the same thing and bawling the entire time.
Hugs,
Karen

cucki said...

Me so sad here :(
Sending you sweet kitty big hugs and kisses ..
And for you too xxx

Anonymous said...

i'm so sad to hear about kitty, but happy that he had a few good hours of his life with you.

beautybonnetsstitch

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