Well, It Happened . . .

My parents were out of town for the weekend.  On Sunday (yesterday), I decided to drive to the town where my parents live to water my mom's plants.  My younger daughter went with me.  We had to take an alternate route because of road construction.  We made the turn off of our usual route onto a gravel road.  I was driving slowly because the turn onto this road was sharp and the gravel was loose.  We had been on this gravel road only a couple of minutes when a tiny animal moved into my path out of the deep grass on the side of the road.  In that first second or two, I didn't know what it was.  Then immediately I realized it was a kitten.  As I put my brakes on, I said to my daughter - Oh, my gosh, that's a kitten.  A really skinny kitten.  As I came to a complete stop, my daughter jumped out and moved to the front of the vehicle to see where it had gone.  She said later that as she stepped onto the gravel she worried that it would see her and run.  I saw her bend down, and in the next moment she was getting back into the vehicle with the kitten.  She said it ran directly to her. 

I was immediately horrified.  One eye was almost entirely sealed shut and it looked like there might not even be an eye on the other side.  Her face was so badly matted that it was hard to tell anything.  I started easing forward because two vehicles were approaching from behind me.  Everyone had to use this alternate route, and this little gravel road was getting more use than it had in a long time. I drove straight ahead until I could find a place to turn around.  In just the few first moments, we both noticed the odor.  It was the same smell that we've gotten when our dogs have found something dead to roll in.  It was emanating from this kitten's face.  The ears were so bad that we thought some of the flesh might be rotting.  I wondered if we had come too late.

I had to drive about a quarter of a mile before I could find a place to turn around.  We went back and slowly drove back up that gravel road searching for any more kittens.  My guess was that this was the strongest one from its litter and the only survivor.  We headed home to start working on giving this little gal some comfort.  As we drove, I started experiencing that wave of emotions that I feel after the adrenalin stops pumping.  My daughter held the kitten as I drove - and I looked over and thought about the level of suffering this kitten had endured.  We were in the middle of a severe heat wave.  Somehow this tiny baby had survived.  And against all odds, we found her. 

The conditions that had to stack up perfectly in order for our paths to cross were amazing.  First of all, I wouldn't have been traveling to my parents' home to water plants if they had not been out of town (something they rarely do).  Next, the normal route we take was closed for three days, but had been extended three more days.  That put us in the right place at the right time.  But for this kitten to walk out into the road directly in front of my vehicle at the moment we drove through there . . . .

We got her home and got all of our supplies together.  The very first thing I did was snap a picture of her so that you could see the condition she was in when we found her.  My daughters started bathing her eyes.  They got the one eye cleared up a little and then started on the "questionable" eye.  The crust finally loosened enough to separate the lids.  We didn't know what we would find inside.  As we gently opened the eye, infection squeezed out in gobs.  But there in the socket was the eye.  We were relieved.  The nose was full of gunk, too, so they cleaned it as well as they could.  Then the girls started on the ears.  We couldn't imagine why there was so much odor.  It did absolutely smell like dying flesh.  We thought maybe ear mites had chewed so much of the inner ear tissue that it was rotting.  My vet tech daughter said it actually didn't look like ear mites, but like the ears were so infected down inside that there was lots of drainage that had dried all over the outer ears.  They cleaned and cleaned and cleaned. 

Next we tried water and a small amount of dry kitten chow.  She tried to drink and was somewhat successful.  My daughter pinched up the skin, and reported that she was severely dehydrated.  At some point, she accidentally dipped her nose in the water and came up sputtering.  She won't drink from the bowl now.  So I have been feeding her syringes of water for the last  24 hours to continue to try to hydrate her.  She takes water from a syringe really well.  She ate some bites of kitten chow when we first brought her home, but she eats canned kitten food much better.  (With canned food, we will have to watch for diarrhea - which is the ONE thing she DOESN'T have going on right now.)

So, it happened. . . .      What I kept telling you wasn't happening this year finally did.  I was afraid we were going to end up with something that "crossed our path", which I feel becomes my responsibility.  We are overcrowded at the cathouse already.  Once again, I will take this one day at a time.  I will continue to hope that my blog will some day (soon?) gain enough readers to attract an advertiser or two.  Then I will start building another cathouse.  In the meantime I will keep my fingers crossed that someone wonderful will adopt a cat or kitten, or two or three (smile).

Here it is.  That first picture.  This is how we found this little angel.

Her name is Wintergreen.  We call her Winnie.

After eyes, ears, and nose have been cleaned.

After we got Winnie taken care of, we tried the trip to water my mom's plants again.  As we drove through the rescue site, we were on the lookout for any more kittens.  We will make that trip daily for a while to keep checking.  I called to get this little gal in to the vet today, but they couldn't get me in.  They want to start her on amoxicillin, so we will pick it up today and get started.  We continue to wipe drainage from the eyes, ears, and nose, and continue to feed water by syringe.  She's made it 24 hours with us.  We have to hope that there wasn't too much damage to come all the way back from.  I know from experience how quickly a kitten can go downhill.  Keep your fingers crossed.  I'm already in love.

Comments

[Amy & The House of Cats]

Ok, how amazing that this all happened this way - you were meant to find that little girl, there is no doubt in my mind! I did a very quick post about her and asked my followers to come by and wish her well - maybe that can get you some more permanent followers too!

And oh, Winnie, what a cutie she is - as all little gray kittens are she looks like a half mouse/half alien baby (our Lola did, and so do most gray kittens - and I admit I fall for that look every time!) We are sending her lots of big purrs and prayers to get better!!

[Ginny&the Fur Family]

You have once again been sent out on a mission and almost a mission impossible. Who knows why Winnie walked out on the road at that time? Maybe it was her last day and a guardian angle of kittens pushed her on the the road to give her one last chance -She looks 80% better in just the small time you and your daughters have cared for her.I pray the smell you smelled was not the bodys of her brothers and sisters. Did you see anything in the weeds? She would have been afriad to leave them if they were with her. Poor little Winnie. Now she has a chance. I have tears in my eyes as I pray for her to live and have a good life. The lives of each are precious. Prayers to Winnie.

[Katnip Lounge]

May God Bless you. My heart is breaking for this little one. Winnie, you have made it this far, I hope you have the strength to make it all the way. Prayers be with you.

MomKat Trish

[KC]

Lucky, lucky little Winnie.
We are sending purrs to you and your amazing family.
Love & Purrs,
KC & Kitties

[The Poupounette Gang]

We came over from House of Cats. What a story and how wonderful of you to work so hard to save this little one. At the very least, she has now experienced that people can be kind. We hope that she will thrive.

The Poupounette Gang
in France

[jansfunnyfarm]

Oh, how fortunate for her that you crossed paths and rescued her. Wintergreen -- or Winnie cleaned up nicely. We hope she will make a full recovery and be healthy.

[Cat]

Hi there, I heard about you from Amy and the House of Cats. Wow what a story that is! You were certainly fated to meet Wintergreen, that is for sure. What a good soul you are to take her in when you are already full up. She just looks like the sweetest thing and certainly much perkier in her after picture! I just can't begin to imagine what the little girl has been through. So lucky that she found her way to you!!!!!

[mayziegal]

Hi! I just came over from Amy and the House of Cats. Sweet little Winnie already looks better and my paws are crossed tightly for her to gets well very soon!

Wiggles & Wags,
mayzie

[Abby]

WE came via Amy and the House of Cats....
What a story...this was simply meant to be.
We think Winnie is a fighter and we are so happy that you have taken her in.

purrs
Abby

[The Taylor CatSSSSS]

OH MY GOODNESS, what a story! Winnie, poor little sweetie, I fell in love with her too! God put you at the right place at the right time to save this little angel. All the Taylor CatSSSSS will be purring very hard for this little one. The difference between the two pictures is just amazing. Bless you and your family!

Love, Deb

[Mickey,Georgia & Tillie]

What an amazing story!!!
We will purr very hard for Winnie,
She is SO cute!!!
Purrs Mickey,Georgia & Tillie

[asta]

I also came fwom Amy and the House of catses to wead this stowy and send ouw love and best wishes and pwayews that this little angel kittie suwvives wif youw loving cawe..I hope you get those sponsows and gween papews to help you too
smoochie kisses
ASTa
pee ess my Daddi lost his jobs , othewwise i wouuld help you

[Ginny&the Fur Family]

It is so great that people are dropping by with prayers and encourgement to you for saving this sweet kitty. So many great friends out there are united in the love of animals and furry friends -. keep us all posted on Winnie and her progress -the world with animal love is a better world for all.

[Pam Graves]

Winnie is the luckiest little girl in the world. The California 5 will be purrayering for her and you all.

I don't know what I am more excited about ... that you found Winnie or that 13 people have read and commented today. It's starting ........... I hope they grow to love your blog as much as I do!

[meowmeowmans]

What an amazing series of events that led to Winnie being with you. Thank you for rescuing her! Please keep us posted on her progress ... we will be praying and purring for you all. :)

[Lee County Clowder]

Welcome to your second, much better chance at life, Winnie. It is pretty clear someone decided you were SUPPOSED to find her. Please do keep us updated on Winnie's recovery.

Sending healing purrrrsss and gentle headbuttss to you all.

[Nico, Simon & JayJay]

We came over from Amy & The House of Cat's blog to read this terrible/wonderful story. Our Mom made it through the thing without crying (which is rare for her) but when she saw the first picture she started to tear up. We are so happy that someone special found this little girl & have all of our paw/fingers crossed that she continues to improve!

We are purring for her to make a speedy recovery!!

~Nico, Simon & JayJay :)

ps.It's so nice to meet you! We'll be back to read about Winnie's progress!

[cats of wildcat woods]

Glad she found you - I have seen kittens worse than her and they didn't make it so I hope and pray she does. She has a strong will and fate intervened in her favor with you coming along. I will post this on my Twitter!

[Cory]

We are purring for sweet little Winnie. We came over from Amy and the House of Cats to see how she was doing. Thank you for being there for this little one.

[ozark Mountain Cats]

We wish the baby lots of luck with her recovery.

[Milo and Alfie]

Winnie so deserves to survive. She is clearly a fighter. We will pray and purr that the tretment saves her and that she can find a loving forever home.
Thank you so much for taking her in and doing your best. You are an Angel and i think you were meant to find her.

[ihavecat]

Bless you and your daughter for taking this sweet kitten and showing her so much love! I am not even religious but saying "Bless You' is the ONLY thing that seems like the right response to this story. What a strong, brave and lucky kitty Winnie is. I hope she survives. One day at a time is best. Once she is strong and if you can't take her, then you wil lfind her a worthy home I am sure of it.
T

I HAVE CAT
Single in the city - with cat (s)