Nov 13, 2009

James - Kitty I Rescued Yesterday

So yesterday was a great day. It started normal -- work, work, work -- until an instant message from a coworker popped up on my computer screen: "I just fed a blind kitty downstairs some sardines."

Whaaaa? A blind kitty? Downstairs in my office parking lot? No way, I thought. I feed all the cats around here. I'd have known about a new kitty.

"Do you think the Humane Society would come pick him up if I called?" he asked. No, not really. Animal Control might, but we all know what would happen there.

Is he blind because he's too little to open his eyes, I asked him, or because he's grown and really blind? (This is a valid question, no?) He said he wasn't that small and asked if I wanted him to take me to the kitty.

YES. Someone's got to help this poor guy! He won't make it out there like that. So I called in the troops -- my friend Kelly from the next building over who carries a cat carrier in her car like it's her job to do these kind of things... and what a great job that would be!

James (that's my coworker) brought me to some some bushes where the messiest, shakiest, frailiest, little crusty-looking kitty was huddled up at. Oh my goodness, I said. Poor little one!

Clearly this kitty needed help. And now. We'd worry about the cost and the rest later. So Kelly and I loaded the poor little guy into the carrier and drove off to the vet we went.

Out of the way, everyone, crazy cat ladies coming through!

We didn't even know if the little kitty could be saved -- he had mange, we were pretty sure, and pretty bad. The nurse called him messy. The vet made a face of sad sympathy... and said he should be OK with a little treatment! Turns out he wasn't blind either, it was just that his eyes were all shut from his bad skin condition, and they'd get better, too!

Kitty 1, Mange 0.

He gave him a little Revolution treatment on the back of his neck and told us he'd probably be a whole new kitten in just five or six days. Yay! We left him there for some more tests, to be sure he didn't have anything real bad and said we'd be back.

But now... what to do with him when we pick him up? We're both maxed out on cats in our homes.

Enter the amazing people at Animal Aid! (You may remember them as the ones who helped me before with The Meows.) I called and emailed and they said they'd take James in (we named the kitty after the guy who found him!) and care for him.

James 2, Mange 0!

So I dropped him off with one of the nicest, kindest, sweetest animal people you'll ever meet. James will be staying in her bedroom for a little while until he's healthier and stronger. And when he's all better, I just know he's going to be the cutest thing and get a GREAT forever home!

Not bad for a mangey kitty who probably wouldn't have lasted one more day in that parking lot! I'll keep you updated, but I'm hoping for a score of James 3, Mange 0 in a few weeks!

James update, 12:45 p.m.: Sad news. Just read an email from the woman who watched over him last night. James stayed in her bedroom with her, and she checked on him three times during the night. He was warm, sleeping and breathing all three times. She had him a carrier with blankets, and the whole thing on a heating pad to keep him warm like the vet suggested. He was fine all three times, but when she woke up this morning, he had gone to the Rainbow Bridge.

I know we did all we could have for this little guy. I'm happy he got some love an attention in his last few hours, but it breaks my heart that he didn't make it. Thanks for all your kind comments so far. R.I.P. little James -- you're with good friends at the Bridge now and happy and not suffering any more. :(

31 comments:

  1. OMC! What a sweet little kitty dat so deserves da kind help you gaves him. I am so happy dat you founds a wonderfur group to takes him in and finds him a furever home! PURRRRRRRRRRRRS

    ReplyDelete
  2. So happy people like you found him & got him the help he needed in time. He will have a good life now thanks to you & your friend's efforts & care.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great ending -- we could use some good news right now!

    ReplyDelete
  4. God bless you for helping that kitty!

    ReplyDelete
  5. That is awesome that you are your friends helped him! We are currently bonding with the newest member of our family...a little Jack Russell Terrier who had gotten hit by a car, suffered a broken pelvis, and needed a home. Sometimes the best pets are the ones who start life in a rough way.

    God Bless You and your co-workers for helping little James. He'll be a beautiful cat! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. First and foremost.....BLESS YOU!!! Thank you so much for giving this guy the chance at a great life. You are right, this guy didn't have much time left, but thanks to you and your friends he will thrive in a loving environment. I am so thankful for the CCL's of the world. By the way CCL stands for Caring Cat Lovers!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Woof! Pawsome news.Happy Friday!!! Visit my blog - I have an award for you. Lots of Golden Thanks to your Friendship. Woof! Sugar

    ReplyDelete
  8. This comment is from one Proud Father....

    when Dorian called me in the middle of this frantically searching for a home for James..I emailed her that she needed "a house as big as her heart" Perhaps some day that dream may come true for her and all those who find their way to her..door, parking lot, car, road, neighborhood and of course Pimp and Moo.
    It would be an amazing place to visit.
    That's my daughter!!!:)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am so glad you were able to help little James. He looks so sad! I wish I could see what he looks like after a few days of loving care.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh what a wonderful good deed you guys did. Some animals are not as fortunate as others and it is our job as human beings to come to the rescue.
    Great job! JW

    ReplyDelete
  11. Bless your heart - there is a special place in Heaven for folks like you!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Yaaay!! We just know James will find a new furever home in no time!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. awww, I'm so happy for James! I'm glad you saved him and helped him get better. I hope he loves his new home!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh, I'm crying. Poor little guy. But at least he felt love in his last hours.
    I hate people that toss cats. I really, really do.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Awww, poor sweet James. Thank god that in his last few hours he was safe and warm and fed, thanks to you!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I do think it is wonderful that James had a warm and loving place to pass over the bridge. Poor little thing. And thank heavens all of you came to his rescue. That is all so sad.

    ReplyDelete
  17. At least the last hours he had on earth were warm and safe, I guess he felt he could relax and cross over.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh, I'm so sorry that he didn't make it. At least you gave him love in his last moments. Poor guy.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Ahhh... bless you and the others for allowing him to leave this world surrounded by love.

    ReplyDelete
  20. At least he got to know love before he passed.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thanks for all the comments, everyone. It was such a crazy day yesterday. I spent the whole day worrying about how to help him!

    And this morning when I found out he had gone to the Bridge, it was just so sad. I feel good knowing we did all we could and that he was loved before he went, even if just for one day.

    ReplyDelete
  22. We are so sad with the short time that this little kitty had with you, but we are so glad he got to know a few hours of love and tender care. He will be waiting for you at the Bridge. Bless you.
    Jake and Fergi xxoo

    ReplyDelete
  23. I'm so sorry to hear that James had to cross the Bridge. Thank you and the others who showed him love during his final hours before crossing.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'm so sorry to hear about little James, reminds me of a story I saw once on the (elusive) wild Pandas in China and how they will go sit at someones door when they're very ill. Somehow they know they'll get help, maybe just like James knew.

    ReplyDelete
  25. So sorry to hear about James. Poor little fella. I am glad though, that his life was touched by such kind souls before he went to the Rainbow Bridge.

    ReplyDelete
  26. So sad that the little guy didn't make it. I am glad that you put the effort into saving him, though. It warms my heart that you do such great things for the meek ones. Brew and I send purrayers.

    BZTAT and the Brew

    ReplyDelete
  27. Poor,poor kitty. Thank you for being the kind of person who HAS to help these poor kittys no matter what. My mom is the same. No thought to cost or where, and how. Those things can be figured out later. Thank you for giving James some of the love he deserved before he passed.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I'm sorry James passed away, but you are right: the fact that he had lots of loev in his last hours is HUGE. You have a kind heart. Thank you for being wonderful :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. so sad he did not makes it, but u did gib him luvs he not had afore. fank u

    ReplyDelete
  30. Wow, I just read this entry and though poor little James didn't make it, I am so impressed with your effort! I like your blog and will come back!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I told Mouchette and Fitzroy about little James. They were very sad because they were little street kittens who were rescued also. (Fitzroy in the streets of Brooklyn, and Mouchette in West New York, New Jersey).

    Thank you James, Dorian, Animal Aid, and the Lady who watched over him in her bedroom. For a few short hours he knew what love is.

    ReplyDelete

You know what would be really cute? If you left a comment... :)

More cute posts