The Gift

One night last week, Older Daughter’s partner (D) was driving home after a late shift at work.  He was driving through rural territory.  At one point, he noticed that a car was pulled over on the side of the road.  The lights were on and the vehicle was running.  He slowed and drove around the car then started to pick up speed.  He said he got only a few feet down the road and got worried that maybe this was someone having car trouble.  It was late at night and there weren’t any houses close by.  So he turned around to check with the people to see if they needed any assistance.  He asked if there was anything wrong and if they needed help.  The driver said – Well, we just almost ran over THIS.   She held up a kitten to show him.  D could hear the passenger on the phone with her mom – Well do we bring it home?   D waited until she got off the phone.  Mom says NOT to bring it home.  So D said – Well, I can take it.  My girlfriend’s mom has a cat shelter.  Actually, my girlfriend works at a shelter, but it’s completely full.  I know they can’t take it.  But I think her mom might be able to.

So D called Older Daughter from the road.  He told her the story.  And that’s when my phone rang.  I was in bed asleep.  So first I had to have a miniature heart attack about WHY my phone would be ringing at that time of night.  When I heard Older Daughter’s voice, she immediately launched into the kitten story.  She was three or four sentences in when she suddenly said – Were you asleep?   I told her I had been but not to worry – my adrenalin pumped me to high speed due to the late night ringing of my phone.  She apologized and then launched back into her story.  So Mom, can you do it?  Can you take it? 

I told Older Daughter that I certainly would.  After all, I always say that I will take those homeless cats and kittens that “cross my path.”  I don’t know how much clearer it could be – Older Daughter’s partner driving home late at night just at the moment that someone almost runs over a kitten in the road.  And they can’t take it home. 

Older Daughter said she would have D pull up in our driveway and she would drive over to assess the kitten to make sure nothing was terribly wrong with it.  We met in my driveway in our pj’s.  D pulled up and handed over to Older Daughter a precious little calico.  D said it had been crawling on him and purring.  Older Daughter checked it over and said there was nothing noticeably wrong.  But Mom – you know you could run into problems here.  I sure hope this isn’t another Violet.  Neither one of us needs to go through that again right now.  I took the little calico and told my daughter I would report to her the next day.

I traipsed down to the kennel in the middle of the night and got all of the supplies I would need to set this new baby up in my other bathroom.  She was REALLY hungry.  There were a few fleas (easily treated).  No Upper Respiratory Illness symptoms.  She was a little thin but NOTHING like what poor Violet had been.  I checked on her once in the night.  She ran to me and wanted to be held.  I fed her a tiny bit more and slipped out.  The next day I spent what time I could spare with this little darling.  She simply was not sick.  It was like a gift.  A tiny kitten taken off a rural road in the middle of the night.  And yet, there seemed to be nothing wrong with her except that she was a little underweight.  I was cautious but this looked like it might be really easy.  She played off and on all day.  She purred.  She ate.  She was clear as far as respiratory symptoms.  She even had a normal stool.  She was DEFINITELY a gift.  

In Greek, the name Dora means “gift.”  Meet Dora.

 

Here is what she did for hours on her first day here.

Dora is the perfect name because of the meaning.  But she’s also aDORAble.  AND – as I’ve gotten to know her better, I’ve discovered that the name is perfect for another reason, too.  Husband started calling her Dora the Explorer.  This little baby fears nothing and races out of the bathroom and right up to my other cats and even my dogs in order to explore what’s on the other side of that bathroom door. 

Because of how healthy she is, I was able to move her right in with Jaws and Violet.

 

 

A gift to me – little Dora, healthy and happy. 

See you tomorrow.

Comments

[shirley]

you know how i love calicos!!! she is aDORAble!

[virginia wells]

Dora sure is adorable - thank god that daughters partner was on the spot. He was a life saver and so are all of the family. She is so sweet and looks so much like my Feral -Trico. Last night I saw the father of my heart cat William. He was setting on my porch and waiting for night food. I knew at an instant I had seen the father of William. Cats travel at night- your little Dora was in search of food and a home. She was lucky and got both. She looks so comfortable there with Violet and Jaws. She is safe. Thanks to you all. God bless you.

[Random Felines]

nice save....good to know the girls have partners who "get it". :) she is a cutie

[Goldie Goodwin]

Wonderful Story. The people who stopped originally could have easily kept on going and this kitten may not have been found. She is really cute. Nice that the "onesies" are all together

[Andrea and the Celestial Kitties]

Oh my gosh! So cute!! Oh please, people! Lets find this one, and Violet, (maybe even Jaws though that one belongs to daughters shelter) a home! Lets make sure that their people are waiting for the minute they are spayed and ready to go! We CAN do this! Please, please try! Thank you!
Please don't forget the Surf & Turf FUNdraiser! And the Wish List! And donations! And Chrystal's wonderful book!

[Karen Brumley]

Once again, Chrystal, you are a gift from God, for all his little creatures. Dora looks amazing, and so glad Violet has continued to heal.

[Jt]

You are simply amazing!

[Cleopawtra (Becca Cook)]

What a cute little gift. Sooo precise. Glad older daughters other half was there to make the rescue.

[Lori Lemon]

Kittens!!! Just how do you survive all that cuteness every day? Thank goodness D was in the right place at the right time & knew just who to call. Little Dora is just aDORAble. And...how perfect that you just happen to have two little buddies, Jaws & Violet, to keep her company? I'm truly certain her path was meant to cross yours. Bless you for taking these babies in!

[The Poupounette Gang]

What a total sweetheart!. Welcome, Dora!

[Renee Phelps]

She is precious! Things do happen for a reason. D was at the right place, at the right time!! So happy she has two little playmates!! And that she is healthy!!

[Caren Gittleman]

OMC I LOVE THAT STORY!!!!! She is precious and truly A-"DORA"-ble!

so you are going to keep her with you forever? Not have her adopted? Ohhh I hope so!
She was definitely sent to you!

[Prudi]

Dora is an absolutely adorable and a wonderful gift. But you are a great gift to her as well. Thank you!

[Maria in CT]

And a gift for all of us! What a blessed event. Welcome sweet Dora!!

[meowmeowmans]

Oh my goodness, Dora is ADORAble, for sure. Sounds like she was exactly where she needed to be, at the right time! :)