As I cautiously approached, the mysterious creature stirred. Looking up at me were desperate and frightened amber kitten eyes. “Oh my gosh, it’s a Tortie kitten!” I squealed, looming over her like a raving behemoth.
soon after I found her.
Not as willing to be caught as I was to catch, she scampered off every time I tried to scoop her up, dashing just out of my grasp to sit and look at me. Finally, in a moment of distraction, I grabbed her, clutched her to my chest, and ran into the house. Her condition was dire – ribs and spine protruding through her skin. She was starving, yet in my grasp, she was robustly purring, happy to be held by someone.
“Look!” I exclaimed to Brian showing him my discovery.
“What is that?” he asked.
“A kitten! She’s skin and bones!” I cried.
“Why is it inside the house?”
“Because she needs help!” I was in DEFCON One Mama Bear Rescue Mode, ready to save lives.
I immediately gave her canned cat food (on hand for Pete) which she loved but struggled to swallow, making peculiar noises with her mouth. There was something wrong with this kitten; food was everywhere, and her face was a mess. Thinking maybe she was too young for solid food I bought a kitten bottle and formula. Faster than you can say, “suffering succotash” she bit the nipple clean off. My finger nearly suffered the same fate when I tried to have her lick food off my hand. Yes, she was tiny but her jaw was as strong as a great white shark!
After much trial and error, spoon-feeding wet food with plenty of cleaning up afterward was the best solution, but not ideal. Imagine feeding a baby only the food smells fishy, you have to sit on the floor, and you’re using more paper towels than a Bounty commercial. Our kitten needed to see a vet, soon.
But first…
“What should we name our kitten?” I asked Chloe, my youngest daughter.
“Pepper,” she suggested as our kitten snuggled in the hood of Chloe’s sweatshirt, her little eyes and ears peeking out.
“Perfect!” I replied snapping even more photos to capture the cuteness.
At Pepper’s vet appointment, I learned she had serious health problems. Nine weeks old and weighing only 22 ounces, lab tests indicated three different parasites in her system requiring several medications. But the biggest shock came when I learned half of Pepper’s tongue had been cut off. How it happened was a mystery to everyone and a first for the vet. Whatever the cause and no matter how odd, Pepper would need help eating for the rest of her life and I’d need a Amazon paper towel subscription. Fast.
In light of this information, did I consider surrendering Pepper to a shelter? Not for a second. Over-whelmed with strays, the staff wouldn’t have time for Pepper’s special needs and I couldn’t bear the thought of her being euthanized. I had no doubt Pepper was God’s answer to my Pete prayers and let’s face it, when she first looked up at me in the driveway, I fell in love with her. She was mine.
Photo by Chloe Ranum.
Now over six pounds, Pepper follows me everywhere. She loves back scratches, kisses, cuddles, playing hide and seek, bird watching, and string cheese. Every day she makes me laugh with her sassy personality and playful spirit. Yes, she can be a pain when she digs her claws into my scalp at 6 a.m. to wake me up for breakfast, the litter box duty is no picnic, and mealtimes can be tedious but when she nuzzles me for cuddles or meets me at the door when I come home, I melt. I love Pepper so much!
Reflecting on this experience, I learned two lessons: 1. Pray about everything, even the “foolish” stuff. God wants to hear all about it and He might surprise you! 2. Most cats are playful, cuddly, and loving. They make wonderful pets and I encourage all of the “dog people” out there to give cats a chance. As of this writing, the Quad-City Animal Welfare Center in Milan, Illinois has 55 cats available for adoption; many of which are described as sweet, cuddly, affectionate, and playful – all qualities we cherish in dogs. Perhaps a new best friend is waiting for you to adopt him or her, but you’ll never know until you try. Take it from me, you won’t regret it.
So yes, add “cats” to this die-hard dog person’s favorite animals list and honestly, I’d love to adopt two more kittens from the shelter right now but I don’t think Brian would be too happy about it.
Dear God: Please soften Brian’s heart to two more kittens!
Amen.
Time to check the driveway!
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