I’m a sucker for a stray. Dogs, cats, turtles- you name it- if I’m in the car and I see one, I gotta bust a u-ey, and at least try to rescue it.
And because of the comments left on some of my animal-related blog posts, I bet there’s a lot more pet picker-uppers out there reading this too! I had lunch with one of my pet pick-up’in girlfriends yesterday. She told me about a “turtle” she made a u-turn for not too long ago, only to discover it was actually a camouflage-colored baseball cap sitting in the middle of the street- LOL!
It’s been a while since we’ve had to move a turtle off the road, but Kev and I did have a crazy, stray kitten adventure on Thursday morning…
We were driving on the busiest road in town, and as we were approaching an extremely busy intersection, I noticed a little black kitten running as fast as it could across the street in front of us. The lower part of it’s left leg was completely dangling behind it as it darted across the road. I couldn’t believe it was able to make it across without getting hit. It was SO scary/sad watching that all go down!
After we crossed through the intersection, Kev made a u-turn and we pulled into the lot behind a recently closed down gas station. Here’s a shot that shows the busy road we were previously on, and where we parked our car…
I jumped out of the passenger side while the car was still rolling, and was relieved to find the kitty huddled up against the wall of the gas station…
It was panting really heavily, and crying it’s little heart out so I slowly walked up to it, and kept telling it it was going to be okay in my best “please-don’t-be-afraid-of-me-kitty” voice the whole time. I managed to crouch down about three feet away from it, and I thought I was going to be able to pick up it- when all of a sudden, it got up and quickly hobbled over to our car, dragging its little leg behind it the whole way. It was absolutely heartbreaking to watch and I felt so bad for making it think it had to run again! And to make matters more intense, it climbed right up and into our engine. Aaaahhhhh! (Note: the engine was not running.)
But it was right about that time that Kevin noticed we were parked right next to an animal clinic. Hallelujah!
I ran over there, and told the lady sitting at the front desk what had just happened.
She rounded up the doctor and two of his assistants, and everyone came out to our car to see if we could get the kitty out.
Long story short, they managed to coax it out with a broom handle, and then they took it inside the clinic to see how they could help it. (The Doc said since we took the time to stop and help it, they would take the time to help it get healthy again. Yay for friendly vets!)
The doctor called me a few hours later and said that the lower part of the kitty’s leg had completely dislocated from the upper part, and that it had some worms and ear mites.
They began treatment for the worms and mites immediately, but they’re going to wait to do surgery next week when it’s not quite as freaked out as it is right now. The doc was also kind enough to say we could come up and visit the kitty in the meantime, so of course we jumped back in the car that day, and spent some time petting it’s sweet little head…
It was on a lot of pain medication at the time, but hopefully it’ll begin to understand that we’re all just trying to make it feel better!
(I love the little white “heart” below it’s nose!)
They didn’t remember to check if it was a boy or a girl, because they didn’t want to move it around very much- but one of the vets seemed to think it was a girl.
I’ll keep you posted on *her* progress, and in the meantime, if you live in the area (Prattville, Alabama) and you’re looking for an indoor house kitty to love on- drop me a line and I’ll put you in touch with the people at the clinic. We’re not home very much these days, and I would love for *her* to live inside with someone who can really take good care of *her*!
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Aww gee! Who wouldn’t stop for the poor baby. I’m so grateful that you did and look forward to updates. I hope the sweetie finds a happy home.
so sweet – i wish we had some of those sweet vets here in texas. it looked like someone had dumped a litter at a very busy intersection also. one red light a big old burly guy threw his truck in park and scooped that one up, at the very next red light (maybe 6 car lengths) i did the same thing, he was so scared. all the vets around me said take him to the pound (totally not happening) but i had a wonderful sweet angel friend that took him in and adopted him. i just don’t understand why people won’t fix their animals if they aren’t going to take care of the ensueing result. so glad urs had a great end result!
Aww. I love hearing stories where people go out of their way to take care of animals. I would definitely have done that too, though I don’t know that I’d be able to give her away. I think I’d have to keep her for myself.
*the sound of my heart melting* oh my goodness! I am such a sucker for itty bitty kitty wittys!!
Love your kitty tale! Hope kitty finds a good home.
Thanks you for stopping to rescue the poor kitty Layla. This post made me tear up. I grew up with rescued kitties and now that I have a family of our own, we have our own rescued kitty. They make the best pets because they know that you saved them from a sad life. Anyway, I have many many memories of Sunday morning, driving to church with my mom stopping the car to move a turtle from the middle of the road. She was in her church dress and heels but she had to make sure that turtle could safely cross. Yay for taking care of sweet little animals. 🙂
~Jessica
Awe – that’s how I ended up with my 3rd cat :0) My husband thought he was hurt because he was dragging his left leg. It turned out that it had been hurt before we got him. By the time we figured it out we were already in love with him, so now he’s just one of the family :0) Hope this little one finds a loving home!
People who are CARING are the very best!
Thanks BEST, please keep us posted on how she is doing!
Layla, I love your big heart and your great compassion for animals. And I love hearing stories like this. That kitty wouldn’t have had much of a chance if it wasn’t for you. By the way, whatever happened to Fleamarket, that other kitty you saved?
oxox
Jennifer
Poor little thing. Thank you for being a kind, loving soul that would stop and help. Most people wouldn’t even bother. I would of course. I teared up just reading your post. My “kids” include a dog from the pound, a tortie cat whose mama I found as a stray and a yellow tiger from my sister’s cat’s litter. Definitely would rather give love to a stray than pay for an animal at a pet store that ends up having issues from being over-bred. Am now following you =)
So sweet. I hope you find a good home for him. We got one of our cats that way. Found him limping across the parking lot of my husband’s work. The vet said both his back legs had been broken. Now he’s a fat, happy, healthy cat who follows my husband around like a puppy because he is the one who rescued him.
Awe…She’s adorable! My daughter’s are always the ones to say “Mom, stop the car! We have to help.” And I’m so thankful for their tender hearts, even now when so close to being young ladies. You and Kevin seem so busy, yet you take the time to stop. Thanks for sharing:)
Such a sweet story. Poor kitty. You were at the right place at the right time. We live right outside the city limits and both of our cats just appeared in our yard as kittens. They have turned out to be the best pets. Hope this kitty makes great progress. I’m sure it will thanks to you and your husband.
Bless you both for helping the helpless. We need more folks like you both on our planet.
Awe, that just breaks my heart but I’m so glad she has a happy future and possibly a new loving home thanks to your kindness!
I am a sucker too! We have 2 dogs and a cat that are strays/rescues! Good luck to that sweet little kitty:):) I bet she will have good fortune coming her way!
This tale brought me to tears. I am such a kitty/cat lover too and currently own to cats that were both rescued. They’ve been the best! Love that the Vet was so willing to take in this kitten and so appreciate that there are people out there that will do that. Good luck with finding the perfect owner. I’ll pray for that little one to find the perfect match.
Gretchen
What a lucky kittie to have you! I am the same way about saving animals in need! Both of my kitties were strays and one barely made it because of illness. I wouldn’t trade either of them for anything! Way to go!
OH MY !!! That little HEART, so cute!
Tearing up here! Layla, I am such a sucker for strays. You are the sweetest couple ever…not many people would take time out of their busy day to stop the car and help a little stray kitten. I hope *she* heals quickly and finds a wonderful home! Our Pomeranian, Penny, passed away over the summer, but she was adopted. Someone left her tied up to a sign in our church parking lot last year and I convinced my husband to let me adopt her. She was really really old, so I was happy we were able to give her a year in a loving home. 🙂
What an unfortunate, yet fortunate kitty! Thank you for being so kind to her. I hope she finds the perfect loving home after her ordeal. How amazing that the animal clinic was right there! Wow!
You’re such a sweetie, Layla!
You had me at stray kitten…seriously, I love you for that!! YOU make the world a better place ♥
LOVE the story of the kitten rescue! You are an angel on earth. I, too, have a soft spot for animals, especially needy ones. As Mahatma Gandhi’ had said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way it’s animals are treated”.
Have a great day!
Leigh
Kudos to the Dr and practice owner for agreeing to help the kitten and not sticking you with the bill. I work at a clinic and people call wanting veterinary care for strays ALL THE TIME. Our owner and Drs will only allow us to look at the animals if the rescuer is willing to take on the bill. We refer them to the non-profits in the area that are in place for those types of situations. They aren’t heartless, they’re just trying to stay afloat and not devalue their care to the point where we are known as that clinic that will see animals for free. I get it – but stories like this make me wish they had a little different mindset. I hope you find her a good home and also – PLEASE PLEASE get this kitten spayed/neutered before it goes on to the new home. It will help prevent future little kittens running around town like this in the future.
Ahhhhh so happy they are people out in this world like you who would stop and rescue a scared and frightened kitten =). I would have done the same thing, there is no way I could have left that kitten alone.
Awwww! I love kitties, and seeing all of that would totally break my heart, too. I am so glad you helped rescue her. Here’s hoping she finds a loving home soon! 🙂
I have to add that we found and brought home our own stray kitty last night. If you had told me when I was reading your post yesterday morning that we would get sucked into the big eyes and fuzziness of a stray kitten a mere few hours later, I would have said YEAH RIGHT. We named her Zoe and she already brings so much joy to us. 🙂
love that you saved that sweet little kitty! My mom passed(the saving of animals) down to me….and I’ve have passed it down to my teenagers and I’m sure they will pass it down to their kids 🙂
It hurts my heart to hear this story but thank God you and Kevin are such good-hearted people. I hope the kitty responds well to the treatment.
Incredibly serendipitous adventure.
God bless you and God bless that vet!
Thanks for your story. Too often we hear and read about the other end of the spectrum. Nice change.
That kitty is so lucky that you were there to help it! As far as the vets concerned, they rock! I too am a vet, and trust me, it takes a lot of money to do an orthopedic surgery and hospitalize/nurse the kitten back to health. Not all vet clinics are able or willing to be so kind, and you’d be amazed at the number of sad cases like this that we see ALL the time. My own cat and dog were in horrible shape when I adopted them. Abused, and dying. They are the most loving, wonderful pets now, and I’m sure they know in their little hearts that their lives were saved. Good luck with this kitty, and pls let the vet know, from one vet to another, that they are awesome!
Oh I just love you guys, I would have done the same thing.
What a wonderful story. I do believe most cats should be INSIDE only unless one lives in the country. They will be prey to coyotes and other wild critters in the country but at least they won’t be smashed by fast moving vehicles. I hate it when I see a cat ‘along’ the road, that is someones pet now lost. My cat is inside only she wouldn’t know what to do out in the big world.
Hi Layla,
Thank goodness for ya’ll! Poor little kitten…it must have been horrible to watch it try to cross the road. That little cutie is one lucky kitty thanks to the kindness of strangers. What a great vet to help you and to help the kitten. I love his little white heart! You and Kevin to the rescue. : )
Has anyone given him a name?
~Tina
Good for you and God Bless You. We need more love in this world,need it be human or animals. It just makes me sick to think someone would dump a kitten out onto a busy street.
Oh poor kitty! Glad it’s safe and getting care!
from one u-turner-to another-good job…i am known in our area as the animal whisper…picked up many turtles and have taken them to our lake, feed our deer, have rescued lots of dogs…keep treats in my car for those moments…currently working with a sickly red fox –that i must say-is turning the corner and looking pretty healthy…good job kev and laylau continue to amaze me–my motto-if i dont stop to help who will?
chris
What a great post! Over the years all of our animals have been strays “dumped” by others on our kibbutz. Currently we’ve got 3 kitties and one dog…(all former strays). They are the BEST….and so are you for stopping!
Kudos also to the kindhearted vet and his/her staff! Lovin’ this post!
You guys are so wonderful for doing this. I’ve been reading your blog for a while now, but this is the first time I felt like I HAD to comment. We got our two cats (brothers) from a shelter, and they had spent 2 months prior to this living at an animal clinic where someone had taken them after finding them in the street, tiny and sick and scared. I’m so, so grateful that person took the time to catch them and take them to the vet, and so grateful for the vet to take them in for two months before spots freed up in a shelter. So yeah…. what you did was awesome. =)
And yes, I’m a Layla, too! =D
So glad you stopped. Not sure all vets would be proactive but it’s really nice to hear that there are still some good folks out there. We adopted two lab mix strays who found their way to our home. They gave us many years of love and we still miss them.
Layla – So you will be adopting this kitten right? 😀 Cuz lets face it, future might not look great for it. I bet those vets/techs are counting on this.
I saw this when you tweeted it Layla and my heart broke in two. With it being Thanksgiving week-end here in Canada I wanted to let you know that I am thankful for people like you and Kevin for doing what you did. I will follow along with kitty’s progress. Hugs to you ~ Happy Saturday!
Oh….this could have gone so differently. Believe me, there is positive karma being reflected back for such an act of kindness. I look forward to reading future posts about rescue kitty.
You are so wonderful! I am the same way with strays.
I would take the kitty in a heartbeat but I live in California. Wonder if we could find an airline to donate a free ride! I have 4 kids, 2 chickens and a husband, but no kitty cat.
That was so nice of you to help that poor kitten. Thank god for nice vets! I have heard too many stories of vets not helping hurt animals if there’s no one to pay for it. I can’t wait to hear how she is doing!
I always hold my breath when I see an animal bolt across a busy roadway. So wonderful to hear that you rescued the hurt kitten. Hope she has a speedy recovery, and that she gets adopted into a loving home.
Hi Layla, I’m Nanette with Waggin’ Train Rescue(WagginTrainRescue.org), and one of your regular readers. Although I typically rescue only dogs, I would be happy to cross post your sweet kitten on our website (within your area) to help find her a qualified adoptive home. Please let me know if I can help. Thank you for getting her to safety. There are so many dogs and cats that are not as lucky.
Wow! That kitten is YOUNG! What a tiny little girl.
You two were in the right place at the right time. You’re being very considerate by trying to find this fluffy missy a home now that you and Kevin are out and about so much. It must be hard, but good for you! Please keep us all up to date… such a heart-warming story.
What a good thing you did! And I’m so impressed that the vet was willing to offer care, too. How wonderful.
My two cats (who are now 13 and 18) were both rescues. One of them I retrieved from the muddy pits she was living in beneath a shack of a house.
Recently, my husband and I adopted our third dog—she was abandoned in our neighborhood. We posted “found” signs and the owner (or so we think) went around and ripped them all down, crumpled them up and tossed them in the grass.
I took the 5-month old pup to a shelter to hopefully help her find a home, but they were full and didn’t have enough room. Said she’d probably get euthanized. So, needless to say, she ended up joining our family. 🙂
Rescue pets are the best—thanks for sharing your story and for taking the time to help one of God’s creatures.
Here’s our new puppy: http://bellsandkilts.blogspot.com/2011/09/puppy-needs-home.html
http://bellsandkilts.blogspot.com/2011/10/daily-pics-sequins-san-marcos.html