July 17, 2009

Stray

kitten

It was after midnight. I had just fallen into a deep sleep when I heard my daughter’s voice. “Mom. Com’ere.”

She pulled me out of the dark bedroom into the hallway, where Shaggy Hair Boy and With-a-Why were sitting in the light that spilled from the bathroom. When I peered around the doorway, I saw Boy in Black, his back against the tub, holding a stray kitten.

“We have to keep her away from the other cats,” Shaggy Hair Boy whispered. “They’re hissing.”

“I think she might be injured,” said Boy in Black. “She isn’t putting weight on this paw.”

“Look how skinny she is,” my daughter said. “She ate a whole can of cat food.”

Whenever Boy in Black stopped petting her, the kitten would meow. So he kept petting her, even as he talked, his big hands with their long fingers moving across her fragile body.

The kids had moved a litter box into the bathroom, along with food and water. They were going to keep her there overnight, away from our six cats. It sounded like a good plan so I went back to bed, leaving them with the newest stray.

When the alarm went off that morning, my husband found Boy in Black asleep on the floor of the bathroom. He’d brought in a blanket and pillow, and the stray kitten was curled up in his arms, asleep.

With six cats already in the house, we can’t keep her: we’d never make it through the winter, when the cats are all trapped inside the house, hissing at each other and peeing on stuff to mark territory. She’s living on our back step right now, but we need to find her a home before the cold weather comes this fall. So spread the word if you live in Snowstorm Region: anyone want a very cute, affectionate cat?

12 comments:

Lilian said...

Oh, I wish I did live there. But, WAIT! We could drive a different way back and pick her up... no, wait! We'd have to drive over 4h with a scared cat... :-(

The boys would love another cat though, and so would I!

kathy a. said...

lilian sounds like a winner!

poor babe. all your kids are well versed in caring for the lost ones. hope this one finds a good home.

Rana said...

She's soooo cute!

And so far away, alas. :(

jo(e) said...

Lilian: I could give you one of our cat carriers. I bet she'd be fine in the car for 4 hours ....

I think Syracuse is on your way home anyhow.

I've already treated her for fleas, and I'm taking her to the vet today to make sure she's healthy and to get her shots. By the time you came through here, she'd be ready to go.

Anonymous said...

Please can I have her? Never mind the flight or the fact that my kids are terrified of animals. It'd be fine. Eventually.

Anonymous said...

My husband has told me repeatedly "We can't save them all." I tell him that's the wrong attitude, and I'd like to prove him wrong, but since I refuse to clean the litter boxes, he gets final say. :)

Seeking Solace said...

AWWWW. If Husband wasn't allergic and if the Boy didn't think cats were chew toys, I'd take her.

Lorianne said...

This post pretty much summarizes how J & I ended up with 9 cats and 3 dogs. And did I mentioned I'm technically allergic to cats?

I'm guessing it won't be long until Little Miss Stray has a home.

Liz Miller said...

She's so pretty.

Lilian said...

We probably won't do this, but, I just showed the photo & our comment exchange to Kelvin and he asked for her name. I said that she's just a stray cat and he asked again "why haven't they named her?" So, I'm posting his question...

Now, K & I always talked about the fact that if we had a yellow/orange cat his/her name would be Lepton (it is a male name, though...) -- Kelvin doesn't like it, though :-) And he has to go to bed now... So, good night!

jo(e) said...

Lilian: We haven't named her because she can't stay -- we already have too many cats.

I did take her to the vet. She tested negative for FIV/leukemia. She's had her first round of shots now. The vet said she's about six months old.

She's perfectly healthy, and very sweet and affectionate. She just needs a good home ....

Lilian said...

Sigh...

Hubby still wants to go to work tomorrow, so we're leaving at 4 am and going back through 87 (Albany) :-(... but I made him promise that next time we drive up we HAVE to meet you!!!
P.S. I'll let Kelvin know about the name.