Yesterday, I took in three kittens to be spayed. I had a kitty adoption in Crow, Oregon, so I took the two kittens with me. The adoption was a success, but only for Solo, Serena although they wanted her – they said no. Which means in my mind anyway, they are responsible owners. On the way home, I passed a Lowes and we are redoing the roof on the little cat porch so I stopped to see about prices. It was so hot, I knew I couldn’t leave Serena in the car (even though I did find shade) so I just wrapped her up in little sheet and carried her in the store. I was so careful about hanging on her, scruffing her neck the whole time, and talking to her gently. She did really good through the parking lot.
I get inside and ask for directions to the tool department. Everyone is staring at me and oohing and ahhing about Serena. An elderly couple come over and the woman asks if she can pet Serena. I told her of course. We talked and they wanted to know what in the world I was doing with such a cute kitten, so I told them. They followed me around, discussing whether their siberian at home would accept a baby kitten- but finally decided it wouldn’t work. The woman came over, asked if she could hug Serena, I told her sure- go for it!
She hugged her, applauded my efforts and pressed a bill in my hand before they left (turned out to be $50.00)
While I was looking for an adapter for Mike’s drill- one of the employees came up squealing “You have a kitten!’ Yep, I said, I did. She asked to hold her, and I hesitated. I didn’t want to lose her and spend till midnight chasing her around Lowes! But something in this woman’s eyes made me change my mind and I handed her over. Serena melted into this woman’s arms. Now Serena is very personable, but this was different. She acted like she belonged to this girl! It must have been kismet because I will be going back tomorrow afternoon to the woman’s home because her family wants to adopt Serena!
I finally got Serena back and made my way out of the store. I was stroking her and telling her how lucky she was to be such a good kitty and she may have even scored a home! We got to the car without incident and we were sliding in, when the door was flung from my hands! I looked up in surprise to see this woman. She said she was sorry but she had heard me mumbling by the air conditioners (I was checking prices) and they were to high- plus the units were so much larger than we need. OUr window is only 28″x28” in the cat room. She said when I dropped off Serena tomorrow, she has a new air conditioner that size that she wishes to donate to CATS Inc.,! YAY!!!
Ok I get home and I think I mentioned a few days ago that Axle came in after missing 5 days and he was walking wonky? i thought he might have gotten hit by a car, so I picked him up and put him in a large cage, but when I went to put food into the cage, he got out and scrambled upstairs. I followed him, but couldn’t find him and finally gave up.
I went looking for him when I got home because he hadn’t appeared at the food trays. I found him in the attic in a corner just laying there still. I went to pick him up and as I cupped my arm around his rear, my arm was soaked! I looked and I had blood all over my arm and running down my jeans. I panicked, something I don’t usually do and rushed him to the vet. Axle has been shot in the right rear leg. It was a small caliber no bone splintering (thank God) so he will keep his leg. In his absence, it had become infected and so now he is home, with an open wound and a drain. He is on pain meds and antibiotic and he is out in the small enclosure with access to the outside being shut off for him. I find it quite a coincidence that the new neighbor moved in three days ago, telling everyone beforehand he would shoot any cat in his yard, and Axle comes home with a perfect round hole in his leg! I called the sheriff but unless there are witnesses or the bullet is lodged inside- there is no proof. I didn’t have the exra $ needed for x-rays plus the vet said that the bullet may have exited or if it was a bee bee it wouldn’t show on the films.
The good news is that he keeps his leg, and hopefully the infection and pain will subside for him soon. The bad news is I have a mad desire to load my shotgun and shoot someone in the foot! I won’t but I have thought about it! Axle has changed in a dramatic way from this. My hope is that after the pain goes away and he can walk better, he will return to his old loving self. Time will tell
Well, let’s see (counting on my fingers) Axle will be O.K. Horrid that he got shot, just glad he made it home and you were able to take him to the vet for necessary treatment. Poor boy, what a horrid time he must have had those 5 days. Not to mention the worry and concern his absence caused you.
Selena will have a new home – fantastic! – AND the new home comes with a bonus air conditioner for your cat room. What an unexpected pleasant surprise.
PLUS she was sweet enough that an unexpected $50 comes your way just in time for Axle’s vet visit.
That kitty must be a luck magnet.
We know that God is working with you and your babies. If you doubt that, go back and read your own entry of today. We’ll just have to pray for/about the neighbor. You scored a $50 donation, a home for Serena and a free a/c all in one trip. Pray over/about the neighbor.
Marian in Houston
Poor Axle. I know how you feel about wanting to shoot someone because of it, though I’d aim higher than his foot. I hope Axle’s recovery is complete. I’m glad he came home to you, though he must have felt himself to be in poor shape indeed to have hidden like he did. Good luck to him.
And good news about Serena. I dreaded that you were going to write that she got away from you, especially when the car door was flung open. Yikes! But all ended well – and with a new air conditioner!
Poor Axle. People like that hopefully get theirs eventually.
What an exciting trip to Lowe’s. 🙂
As you know, one of our neighbors admitted to shooting one of our cats. Luckily the bullet entered at his shoulder, skidded down his ribs and exited above the back leg. No bones broken, but it cost us over $200 for stitches, antibiotics, vet care. My neighbor was not apologetic, did not offer to reimburse us the medical costs, and did not say that he wouldn’t do it again. Some people are just ignorant and unfeeling when it comes to cats. It’s a common attitude here in the South that cats are no better than vermin.
People suck. Ok, I know I should have more hope but it’s hard sometimes. I feed a colony & my main concern is that some fool human will hurt them. I spend a lot of time hiding ‘cats are here’ evidence. We’re in rural, coyote country but it’s the humans that worry me. Run, Foster, Run is name of every cat in the colony. (not really…but
Purrrrrrss for poor Axle. We’re hoping he recovers with no major problems. That must have been a scarry, painful few days for him.
As for that neighbor, we keep hearing Karma can be a Bitch, but we really are hoping for something more direct and obvious.