Six

The flooding situation was extreme in the town where my daughter works at the no-kill shelter. It’s the same town my parents live in, and nobody there can remember when it was ever this bad. As I’ve said, people were bringing their pets to the shelter for temporary housing. The other thing is that pets were being abandoned. It always seems like these natural disasters bring out the best in most people and the worst in others. We’re hearing stories of both. There are also stories of animals that nobody even knows whether or not there was an owner. The litter of six kittens that my daughter brought home Thursday night were discovered in a flooded garage. The whole story will never be known. They were found several days after that garage flooded. Clearly, at some point, the mom cat could no longer make her way through the water to her kittens. These kittens were terribly thin, but they also had full-blown upper respiratory infections. Were they already sick before the flooding? Or did they go downhill quickly once mom could no longer care for them? At some point, someone found them and took them to the shelter. That’s when my daughter loaded them up and brought them home.

When she got here, we launched. Luckily, they had been taken to the vet by the shelter director just before coming home with Older Daughter. They came with medications. There was so much to do. All of their eyes were infected and matted. Many of them couldn’t pull those little eyelids apart. We decided that bathing the eyes would be the first task. I have to give Younger Daughter complete credit here. Older Daughter and I were so afraid that the little coma kitty (Gabriel) would slip away without us noticing, that she held him against her chest while I tried using an eye dropper to dab sugar water on his gums. Younger Daughter sat in the family room floor and carefully lifted each little skeleton kitten out of the carrier one at a time. She gently bathed their eyes open and talked softly to assure them they were about to get the care they needed. Older Daughter and I, realizing that we were being unsuccessful with the little coma kitten, finally joined Younger Daughter in the floor. But she pretty much had the job done. I went to warm KMR and we started trying to feed them. They didn’t really know what to do, but we did get very tiny amounts into most of them.

Unfortunately, the medications were eye drops AND INJECTIONS. The antibiotic eye drops went in first. And then - each of those tiny little bitty kittens had to have an injection. The vet sent a mixture of injectable antibiotic and antihistamine. Antihistamine is nearly always given in injectable form to kittens (or weak adult cats). So he just mixed in the antibiotic so that we didn’t have to force oral meds. What Older Daughter taught us when we were giving antihistamine shots to Duchess and Mitts is that this med stings when injected. I hated putting those little bodies through that, but we eventually got everyone medicated. After eye bathing, attempts at feeding, eye drops, and stinging injections, the group fell asleep in a pile in their carrier. The pictures I posted yesterday were from that first night. The entire group was weak and nobody’s eyes worked right, but a couple of them were VERY weak. After that, the night becomes a blur, along with the days and nights that followed. Continuous feeding and eye bathing, injections and drops, more feeding, more meds. And now it is Tuesday.

Here’s the news you’ve been waiting for. ALL SIX ARE ALIVE. And not only that, but these six are absolutely thriving! I’ve been doing this long enough to know that ANYTHING can happen, but I really think we’ve turned the corner towards life and health and happiness with this group. Take a look and see what you think.

The first picture is of them playing. You can see a little fat belly here and there. The pictures after that show some of the faces up close. Those faces are bright. What a blessing!

 
  


 
 
 
 

 More tomorrow.  Please keep the prayers going for the little kitten that we took in on Saturday.  His name is Elfius because the tips of his ears fold forward like little elf ears. We went to the vet yesterday, and he made the night, but he is getting weaker.  I am not giving up.  Please cradle him in your heart.  I know you will.

Comments

[Random Felines]

Mom got a little teary.....whe knows that the love that the three of you provided made a difference for these kids!! And they are adorable. It is amazing how people react to tragedy - some fold and others find a strength they never knew they had in them. We are purring for everyone and especially that little boy.....We know they are in good hands!

[Fuzzy Tales]

I certainly wasn't expecting a (mostly) positive post! Wow, fingers and paws crossed for these 6 sweeties, and purrs and Light to all of them too, especially the particularly sick one. Gabriel?

[Ginny&the Fur Family]

I was up at -4:am watching for a post about the kittens. we have our own flood kitties here and all are getting better.. meds and eye cleanings and watch and pray.. Dear Gabrial is still hanging on and maybe he will get better. What is over looked in all this is that most rescue people are not trained. No one ever made it clear to them about any policy about trying to take pets out of the water. Flash flood is just what it means - Flash and they come by and give a person just time enough to grab a bag and something small. Some really have no idea of how to deal with an animal in a small boat so they just wont take them at all. Some nice peole had to choose between them selves and their pet - Now rescueres are learning that pets lives are most important to the owners - more important that sack of clothes. - Now they are setting up shelters with pens and cages for animals - thank God for some sense in good people.That restores some of my faith in human nature. I have never seen so much water come so quickly - many who could ride it out in their homes with their pets had no idea how fast the water would be coming up..Some people should never own a pet because they never take care of them in the first place. Dogs roam the streets and cats live in back allys and that is a real shame. That makes me cry. You and your daughters are so wonderful to save these little souls - they look great and now on the the small Gabriel - May all the prayers out there come to him and save him... love to all at your place... Ginny & The Fur Family

[Madeline]

The pictures of the six is absolutely wonderful that they are doing so well,I hope and pray the others will come around ,too.

[Cat's Cats]

Such good news about the six kittnes! Still praying for Elfius and Gabriel and hoping they are also on the mend!

I thought about all your little charges yesterday when my boys were lying on the bed with me so happy and safe, purring and snuggling. I wish that fate for all kitties but sadly I know more often than not what you see is the reality. I am so thankful that you are out there Chrystal caring for the little souls that have been discarded or forgotten and that your loving hands nurse them back to health or hold them gently as they head for the bridge. Either way your kind heart makes a huge difference!

[Goldie Goodwin]

Hurray! You saved them. Those little chubbies are going to be just fine because of you and your daughters!
Now the challenges are Gabriel and Elfius. Prayers are being sent for them!

[The Monkeys]

You're all doing such fabulous work! We're happy to hear the six kittens are doing well! We are purring and purring and sending special purrs for Gabriel (Mom fell in love with him from his photo) and Elfius. You and your daughters give so much love to these little souls that if they have a remote chance of survival, they feel the love and keep fighting.

[Katnip Lounge]

This has MADE my day! You are working miracles.

[Milo and Alfie]

I can't thank yu and your daughters enough for all you are doing for these precious kittens. I am cradling them all in my heart and willing them to survive. Milo and Alfie are sending healing purrs too.

Jan xxx xxx (six kisses for the kits)

[LP]

Hooray for all of you!! The kittens look absolutely delectable-too precious for words :)
We are so relieved that your hard work, sleepless nights and love have brought six kittens out of danger and back to a promising life.Well done all of you.Gabriel we are still rooting for you.Chrystal we send you and each of your daughters a BIG hug.
the critters in The Cottage

[Amy & the House of Cats]

Chrystal this is such good news. We are so glad that the 6 are doing so well (their faces really do show they are feeling a lot better) we are purring and praying for them to keep getting better and better and to thrive and of course we are sending tons of extra purrs and prayers for Elfus and for Gabriel - we know you are giving them all the love and care you can.

[Andrea & the Celestial Kitties]

Wonderful wonderful news! 6 down, two to go! Prayers going out for all 8 of them, but boy oh boy for the to still very sickies!

These babies are gonna need room in that cat house.. People, fall in love with a kitty and make him or her a home with you! Trust me, you will not regret it. Even though my old kitty, Star, still is not getting along with Leo the Chinese Lion I'm still over the moon that I got him!

[Deb & The Taylor CatSSSSS]

Chrystal, I am so sorry that I haven't been able to blog for so long. I truly think that you and your family are angels sent from above to take care of these little souls. I wish that I was there to lend a hand.

If you have a free second, can you give me a call? I have some very good news for you! :)

COME ON....OUT THERE IN THE BLOGOSPHERE....THESE KITTENS NEED A HOME. THEY ARE SO VERY ADORABLE!!!! PLEASE PASS THE WORD TO OTHERS THAT THESE BABIES NEED A HOME!

Love, Deb

[Abby]

Chrystal I have to tell you I was afraid that I would log in and find out that Gabriel was no longer here ... and I was dreading that news. Thank the maker -- no thank you and your wonderful kind loving daughters for saving the lives of these wonderful little souls.
And yes oh yes you betcha by golly we all will purr our hardest and keep Elfus in our hearts.

purrs and nosekisses
Abby & Mom Debra

[Ginny&the Fur Family]

Still thinking about the sick kitties and wishing the to be better.. You are a miracle worker... Ginny & The fur Family