Another Gabriel

Today, I had planned to do another brick story.  However, three new babies have come into our lives. On Wednesday morning, a good samaritan brought in a tiny kitten to the shelter where Older Daughter works.  This person said the kitten was in the middle of the street she was traveling.  The shelter is still overrun with kittens, but this one was accepted due to its very debilitated condition.  Older Daughter did what she could for the little thing throughout the day.  A new employee there said she would take the kitten home that night to force-feed.  Older Daughter got a text message on her way home from work.  Just after the shelter closed, somebody brought in another kitten - same street, same condition.  When Older Daughter got to work yesterday, the kittens hadn’t actually gone home with this employee.  Evidently, they were doing a little better, especially since they now had each other to cuddle up with.

Yesterday was Thursday.  Our weather changed Wednesday overnight to rain and much colder.  Very late in the day, just before closing, a man walked into the shelter with a box.  What was inside?  ANOTHER kitten.  Found in the same street.  Only this one had been outside in the elements Wednesday night and all day yesterday.  This one wouldn’t make it.  Older Daughter calls when she is heading home so that we know when to expect her.  She called later than usual yesterday.  She said - Sorry I’m gonna be late.  But I was trying to save a kitten.   She explained about the third kitten coming in and that it was so close to death she just went in the back and held it so that it wouldn’t die alone. 

It wasn’t moving.  Eyes matted shut.  Covered in fleas.  Full-blown URI.  This was the same condition the other two were in.  But this one was ice cold.  The gums were white.  And for some reason, the inside of its mouth was packed with mud.  Older Daughter had cleaned out the mouth immediately, but it made no difference.  This little baby was already in a coma-like state.  It brought back memories of little Gabriel.  As Older Daughter sat there holding this lifeless baby, she remembered what we had done with Gabriel.  We had dripped sugar water into his mouth.  She wrapped the kitten in the newly warmed towels from the microwave and jumped into her car.  That’s when she called home.  I’m pretty sure this kitten won’t live, but I’m bringing her home.  She is in my lap now.  She said she remembered that the sugar water had revived Gabriel.  I launched into action.  Yes.  We would try sugar water.  And Older Daughter said this kitten simply was NOT getting warmer.  I would set up a heating pad in the downstairs bathroom.  I told myself that we probably wouldn’t get this kitten back from the dead, but we would give it our best shot.  I tried to prepare myself for what was more likely to happen.

We gave sugar water.  She started trying to lap at it.  She wanted to nurse.  Older Daughter prepared the porridge consistency canned food and water mixture.  We got a couple of cc's into the baby.  We put her in the small crate on a soft piece of fleece over the heating pad.  We ate our dinner and checked on her.  A little more forced food.  She was starting to move around.  She could hardly breathe through her nose.  If she wasn’t going to die, she needed so many things.  Antihistamine.  Antibiotic.  Eye drops. 

Older Daughter and I decided that to give her the best chance for survival now that it looked like she might not slip away, we would need to make a trip to the shelter to pick up medications.  While we were there, we might as well grab the other two kittens from this street litter and bring them home for extra care.  Maybe having her siblings here would provide a little motivation to our coma baby.  We jumped in my vehicle for the half hour trip to town. 

We got our supplies, loaded up two very sick little kittens, and drove to the other side of town to check out that street where the three had been found.  We did not find any more kittens.  We headed home.

All received medications.  The first two are eating and drinking some on their own, but are still very sick.  The third, however, stopped letting us force-feed.  We were still having trouble keeping her warm.  When I checked on them one last time late last night, our coma baby was curled up on her heating pad.  I hoped for a miracle.

I checked once in the middle of the night.  Still breathing, but not moving.  Maybe a little warmer.  I had a fitful night, and woke up long before the alarm was due to go off.  I stared at the ceiling in my bedroom and feared the worst.  I really didn’t want to go downstairs and find that little angel gone or struggling to take her last few breaths.  I made myself get up and go down.  I cracked open the bathroom door.  The first two were curled into a tight ball of kittenness - as close to each other as they could get and sound asleep.  From inside the crate with the heating pad, I heard a faint cry.  My little angel's eyes were open. 

                                                                     The coma baby, this morning.

                                          The siblings, last night when we first got them home.

As always, I know not to get my hopes up.  Keep these babies in your thoughts this weekend.  We'll do our best to bring them to health.  And love them every minute they are here!

 

Tomorrow is a certain kitty’s Gotcha Day.  Take a quick peek into my sidebar and scroll down to a little gray kitty named Ash.  Ash got gotcha’d by Cat of Cat’s Cats and was renamed Jimmy.  Ash was our VERY FIRST kitty to be adopted from our then-brand-new Winnie’s Wish campaign.  Cat will be posting Jimmy’s Gotcha Day on Sunday.  It’s a celebration for Cat and her gang, but it’s a celebration for us, too.  One year ago, our first Winnie’s Wish kitty went to a wonderful home.  I pushed hard to have TWENTY kitties placed by the one year mark.  It didn’t happen, but it’s still definitely worth celebrating that FIFTEEN kitties HAVE been placed.  Cat jumpstarted the whole thing a year ago by adopting her Jimmy.  I hope you visit her blog (always in my Blogroll) on Sunday and share in the celebration.

(And if the celebration gives you the fever, come back over to the daily dose and pick out a new addition for your own family.  I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating - we have some of the best kitties EVER for adoption right now.)  

Comments

[Fuzzy Tales]

Oh, the pictures just make my heart ache so much. Poor babies. Purrs from the boys for all three, universal Light from me. Purrayers going up for *their* Highest Good.

[Random Felines]

I know that feeling - you have to go check but that lump that you don't WANT to do it. I am glad these babies are with you all and purring for happy endings.

[goldie goodwin]

Oh my, these tiny ones do need you! We will purray very strongly for them.

[Ginny & the Fur Family]

Poor sweet little ones - born into a world with no place to go and now they have a warm loving temporary home and that is the first step- keeping them alive is a heart breaker -and constant care and holding and keeping warm and force feeding etc. My eyes are full of tears as I look at their faces and know they are in the best possible place to survive and go on to forever homes -Bless Chrystal and older daughter and family - bringing them home meant the difference between life and death. Prayers and warm thoughts directed to the Family and the furry ones -Ginny & The Fur Family

[The Poupounette Gang]

We are sending huge purrs and keeping every single paw crossed for these tiny kittens who definitely deserve a chance at a long and happy life.

[Pam and the Califurrrrrnia5]

Poor little angels. If anyone can save them it is you and the girls. I'll be praying hard and sending you lots of strength and love my friend!

[Andrea & the Celestial Kitties]

Oh the poor little things! They sure wound up in the right place though. They are assured of love and care now. Of course we're praying that they live, but if they don't, they would have had a much better end than beginning.

People, if this doesnt spur you to adopt, what will? That cat house needs to be emptied! If more kitties keep showing up, then others have to move out. Give a forever home to a sweet sweet kitty so Chrystal can continue her work!

[Marg]

Oh gosh, we are so sorry about the kittens and are sending tons of purrs and many prayers. We sure hope they make it. Sending lots of hugs to all of you too for all your hard work. We hope the little kitties make it.

[Cat's Cats]

Oh my goodness Chrystal look at those little lambs!!! What a state they are in, but we all know that they are in the best care with you and your daughters!

Thanks for letting everyone know about Jimmy, wow I can't believe it's been a year already. Fifteen Winnie's Wish adoptions is great and don't worry I'm sure there will be lots more :-)

[LP]

Sigh.All I can say is thank heaven you brought them home.Poor little babies!We send them all our love.Hopefully they will take comfort and strength from each other and from your caring hands xo.
Chrystal I have a few pics of Lewis on my post today :)

the critters in The Cottage xo

[Abby]

Like Kim from Fuzzy Tales every time I see a tiny baby struggling it pulls terribly at my heart strings. I cannot help but wonder what happened to Momma Kitty? Perhaps I don't want to really know it can all be so painful. But there is life, so there is hope and I will keep believing. Thank you ... to you Chrystal and to your wonderful compassionate Older Daughter.
love & purrs
Abby & Mom Debra

[Connie]

i think we could all use another win. my prayers and purrs for a miracle.

[Ginny & the Fur Family]

Sending prayers and healing thoughts to the new kitties and hoping this week end will be better --warm wishes to you for fighting so hard to save the young furry ones - Ginny & The Fur Family

[Lee County Clowder]

Purrrrring for these little kittehs. At least they are in good hands.

ppuurrrrrrrrrr

[Jan (Milo and Alfie's mom)]

What precious babies ~ We are all praying and purring that they survive here. Thank you for giving them the chance to be loved and healed. xx

[Hannah and Lucy]

We are purraying for these three tiny babies to survive and have the chance for a loving family to take them to their furever home(s) and give them love.
Luv Hannah an Lucy xx xx

[Ginny & the Fur Family]

Sunday prayers for the sweet furry ones -- hope monday brings some good news about the ones who are so weak and fighting so hard to live. Ginny & The Fur Family

[Lee County Clowder]

Just checking in. Purrrring that the latest kittehs are still hanging in there.