"my" kitties have a permanent home -

[Cerridwen]

A couple of months ago I found 3 abandoned kittens outside work. I took them in, they were about 2 weeks old, still required hand feeding. I took a few days off work but finally had to go back so I found a veterinarian to kitty sit. One of the vet techs took the male kitty the first day. A couple of days later a young woman just back from 18 mo. in Iraq wanted one of the others. Since she wasn't yet working a regular job; I talked her into taking the remaining 2; both females; she could pick which one she wanted to keep and then the other one would be weaned and ready to go to another woman I knew who would take one but only after it was weaned and litter box trained.

I received this email from her friend tonight:

"She's gotten attached to both kitties ... surprise
surprise, so she wants to keep them both now :) She's
named them Ember and Ashes - ashes is the mellow
black-faced kitten. I hope the other lady isn't too
upset. Thanks for all your help they were just what
she needed to calm her down from Iraq - they're both
pretty cuddley cats so they're great for when she gets
upset - which still happens thanks to post-tramatic
stress."

I'm so happy I could :cry: I miss those little curtain climbers. And here I thought I was finally over my kitty withdrawals.

I need a watery-smile smiley here.

[legally blonde]

1. what a wonderful story

I'm so glad that your kitties found a good home.

[Cerridwen]

4. And I got to help someone else at the same time...too cool.

Oh, did I mention, I'm one o' them bleeding heart liberals; emphasis on bleeding heart.

:hi:

[DELUSIONAL]

2. Thanks for the heart warming story

I rescued an abandoned 2 week old kitten -- bottle fed him and when my Vet's cat died I learned that his wife was looking for a kitten. I called and she said -- I don't want a cat that's took old. I asked -- is 3 weeks too old?

Needless to say the cat has a wonderful home -- he grew up with dogs and a parrot.

With all the crap going on in the world -- it is wonderful to be able to make a tiny difference.

[Cerridwen]

5. Yeah, it makes me feel really good. I needed that today.

:hi:

[Pithlet]

3. You found them homes.

You did something for them that many kitties don't get. Whenever you feel sad, just remind yourself of that. You did a wonderful thing. Those kittens will have full, happy lives now.

[Cerridwen]

6. I'm happy, I really am, I'm truly happy, honest, it's just, yeah,

yeah, that's right, I'm really happy.

just kidding. I am happy they have a home and they're performing their kitty magic on a young woman who looked, oh, say 12, when I met her; who has just returned from that, that,...Iraq.

:hi:

[Pithlet]

7. I know.

It's sad to let the little cuties go. You get so attached. I remember when my siamese had a litter when I was a kid. There was one kitten that was so sweet and had latched on to me, and I begged my parents to keep him. When the new owners drove away... I still think of him.

[Cerridwen]

9. Awww, geez, ain't it the truth. They just grab your heart

Oh geez, don't tell my dog, okay?

<chuckle>

[NYC Liberal]

8. Thanks for sharing that really wonderful story!

The important thing is that you found them a home. You'll miss them (you should!) but at least you know they'll be cared for.

:hug:

[Cerridwen]

10. You're welcome and thank you. I'm hoping to get pictures.

Then I can start my own Kitty/Cat picture thread!

:evilgrin:

[strategery blunder]

11. Aww...

I love kitties so much that your story made me :cry:...

My mom took in a two-and-a-half year old stray in the same situation and she has the most adorable antics...

However, the university probably would expel me if it found out that I kept kittens as pets in my dorm room. (Edit: Hence I don't.) :(

[Cerridwen]

12. Shhh, don't tell any one.

Before I found a vet to kitty sit; the kitties went to work with me for one day. They slept quietly under my desk. Shhhh.

[ET Awful]

13. Nice, gives me an idea for a project. I'm not sure how I'd get it

off the ground though.

I'm thinking an organization for disabled vets and those suffering from PTSD. Pets for Vets I'd call it. We'd help place homeless pets with vets who need the companionship.

Hmmm, I may have to think about this idea some.

[China_cat]

14. It would help in no-pet housing situations

if you could get a doctor to prescribe an animal as 'therapy'. Then the ADA kicks in and the landlord can't evict for having a pet.

[Cerridwen]

16. Or maybe have them designated as "service animals"

Isn't that another category that a landlord can't dispute?

I dunno, just ruminating over here.

:hi:

[China_cat]

20. Yep. Service animals

can't be disputed. But service animals can be challenged to show what kind of service they perform (so at least some training would be necessary). Therapy animals are under no such obligation, just their existence is justification.

[Cerridwen]

15. Great idea! I have an idea for a motto....

"saving our troops, one kitty at a time"

or

"helping our soldiers stay sane, one kitty at a time"

I love your idea. It came to me, too as I read the email.

:hi:

[ET Awful]

17. I just need to figure out how to do it. I know some people that

work in animal rescue (both cats and dogs). I'm going to talk to them on Monday and see what I can come up with.

I don't want to do it just with cats obviously, I want to do dogs as well.

[Cerridwen]

18. Yeah, of course, puppies and I'd throw in ferrets and other

abandoned animals as well.

There is a program here in NV in which they have people incarcerated in state prisons caring for horses. I think I've seen another one in which they use dog training and such.

There are many ways our animals help us to heal, and we're just starting to take advantage of that fact; visitor dogs to retirement homes and hospitals.

So there is a precident out there. I wish you luck.

I just thought of something, have you considered talking with VetWife? She's very involved in vet issues and the VA system. She may have some pointers for you.

Much luck. I hope this works for you...and our soldiers.



:hi:

[ET Awful]

19. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it yet, but I'm definitely

going to start looking into it.