A rescue mission for the cat and her kittens…

I’m getting into the habit of writing for Slugger and I’m enjoying that feeling of satisfaction in doing something meaningful. Thanks for reading and for your comments on my pieces. One of the benefits of writing here is the chance that conversations will spark off in the comment section below. It’s very rewarding and entertaining to see what direction readers will take. It has surprised me that the learning I’ve had from living mostly indoors would be something I could reach people with.

I was well in to writing my next piece, less about reflection and more about another subject close to my heart-daytime tv, when Tuesday happened and events took over. You might see that piece in the future. Practice your best surprised face for then.

One of my neighbours phoned me. While we knew each other already we have got to know each other better during lockdown. This lovely lady and her husband have been really helpful to me in storing some of my food in their huge freezer, which is a life saver when you have teenagers at home. We also share a love of animals and have cats. Our cats despise each other. So far, so normal. But you may recognise that slightly sinking feeling when you get a phone call from someone you usually keep in touch with via message.

B phoned me to tell me that another neighbour had spotted a cat who’d had kittens out on a lane near her house. Thankfully this was on a day that I was managing to stay upright and my daughter and I grabbed a large cardboard box, called at B’s house and together/apart went the short distance to where the cat was. The large, gorgeous black cat was keeping 4 squirmy, squeaky kittens safe and warm under her body. The cat was growling and hissing at us if we went near her, but B had the foresight to bring some dry cat food with her. As it turns out the cat was very hungry. Picture the scene, while maintaining social distancing we had to try and gather the growling cat plus kittens without shedding any of our own blood. Luckily I have some experience with potentially violent cats. Before you pshaw at me about bleeding I am sure there are other cat owners and vets who would back me up in how scary a big, strong-looking cat can be. My experience lies in owning a cat a who could possibly have held the title of the most vicious cat award. Oscar was HUGE, strong and took a dislike to me after many years as he figured I was the one who took him to the vet, refused to let him outside when he had a collar on and the one who gave him any medication he needed. It’s obvious to any self-respecting cat that I’m the baddie and must be attacked on a daily basis.

It got to the stage where my brother had to lend me his heavy duty long gloves, the ones used for cleaning out wood stoves. I bled daily. I’m sure there are some amongst you scratching your heads wondering why we kept him if he was so vicious. He was a bloody nuisance and a complete dose, but he was our dose. He was fine around the kids and even outside if kids were about he would roll over on his back, exposing his belly to be rubbed. I would gasp in horror as I anticipated the gory blood fest which would follow but he bloody let them pet him. Like, ya know, he was in fact a pussycat.

After a while and much discussion we decided B would get her cat carrier and we would bring them to shelter in my garage. While moving the kittens proved to be easy, the mum was a different challenge. Using my Oscar experience I got her in to the carrier very quickly and I thankfully remained unscathed.

In all my years of being a cat owner I’ve never had to deal with new born kittens. I have to be honest and say I loved having them to care for, even only for the short time they were with us. My current cat however was a bit perplexed and wanted in to see what was happening. We didn’t let her, for obvious reasons. My brother volunteers at a local animal shelter and they kindly agreed to take them.

Then came the emotional rollercoaster of saying goodbye to them coupled with trying to find their owner. I shared the photos on FB and someone came forward as a potential owner. They had a similar black cat stolen a few weeks ago who was also pregnant. I had high hopes until the shelter confirmed the rescue cat was chipped. The stolen cat wasn’t chipped. I was heartbroken for the woman who was no further forward but at the same time hopeful that our cat mum would be reunited with her owner. At time of writing all I know is that the vets have been contacted and the animal shelter are trying to contact the owner.

While we felt useful in giving the cat and her kittens some much needed food and shelter, I cant stop wondering why, in this day and age, people don’t neuter and chip their cats? We can’t prevent theft, but this situation could have been made a whole lot easier with an earlier trip to the vet. I don’t work, am on benefits and getting our new cat from Cats Protection cost £50. That’s a lot of money to me, but when I counted up what I was getting, it was a bargain. Our cat would be neutered, get a health check, two vaccinations and a month’s pet insurance.

Oscar died a couple of years ago and my kids were just heartbroken. To my complete surprise so was I. Weird, huh? After a year of the house being devoid of the heartbeat of a pet we succumbed and got Lexie from Cats Protection. She is diminutive, gentle, easily spooked and she quickly established herself as The Queen of the house- I am employed as her full-time door operative. We are convinced that she sees herself as a small furry human. She loves having everyone at home and loves company. We’re crazy about her.

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