Saturday night.
sitting on the porch with Snickers.
I glance in the direction of the backyard, and notice what appears to be another kitten, nibbling on my day lilies!
I put Snickers in the house, and head to the backyard.
when the little cat sees me, she immediately comes toward me, crying.
she keeps her distance, but keeps circling the house and yard, crying, talking, waiting for me to fix the problem, it seems.
I decided to sit on the back steps, and see if she would follow me.
she did, and an hour later, after a very long conversation, she had taken refuge in my lap, and I was cleaning very nasty ears with baby oil and Q-tips.
although I knew there was someone at the Door County Humane Society that night until 8 pm, Patrick was at work, and the other car was in the shop.
and there was no one home in Kolberg.
I mean, no one!
it was a very strange feeling, calling all the neighbors (well, all the neighbors that I knew would help with a mission of mercy such as this), and finding no one available.
so, I opened the back door, Lily marched right in, and we set up temporary housing on the back porch.
we made a bed in a box, turned on its side, and lined with an old towel.
she settled right in, but I was worried, because no amount of coaxing would get her to eat or drink.
I tried dry food, canned food, powdered baby animal food (which we found at the co-op, and keep on hand for just such emergencies), milk, and water.
she didn't seem to want anything.
she was a bit congested, but it wasn't a cough that gave it away.
it was the occasional big, gooey sneeze.
she didn't like having her nose wiped clean, but I insisted.
if she was going to be an overnight guest, she had to keep her nose clean.
literally.
she was content to nap in the temporary bed, and rub and purr every time I came out to check on her.
it was a long night, but early this morning, she decided she was hungry after all, and polished off half a can of cat food and about half a cup of dry food.
and washed it all down with a good drink of water.
I felt relieved, and prepared the rather large dog carrier to accommodate the tiny passenger.
she cried most of the way to the shelter, cried when I left, and I cried all the way home.
not so much for Lily, because I know she'll be taken care of.
but for all the cats and kittens that came spilling out from every corner of their safe haven.
when will people learn?
UPDATE ON LAST WEEK'S RESCUE:
last week's orphan is resting comfortably, after having been spayed this week, and is receiving treatment for the congestion, and the eye injury.
as soon as she is available for adoption, I'll let you know.
