Look What The Cat Dragged In

Probably a more accurate title for this post would be, "look what the cat left behind".

Yesterday Emma and I became foster parents to this tiny little kitten. It was left behind in a litter of kittens that were born in the barn yesterday. The mother moved all the rest of the babies, but never came back for this one. We watched it all afternoon and by evening, when it was still there, crying and cold, we decided to intervene. Emma has named it Dolly--(quite an improvement from the first name she gave it: Angelina...dramatically pronounced AHN-gelina).
We wrapped the kitten in a heating pad, and made a late night run to the petshop for milk replacer and a tiny bottle.
It was quite a night under our roof. Mary came down with ear infections in both ears which was accompanied by crusty eyes. She ended up in bed with me and Dan and the kitten ended up in her room so that I could quietly get up and do nightime feedings.
So, we made it through the night. But every time Dolly falls asleep for a long time, I go to the box to check, expecting the worst. She has to be at least a day or two old and barely even looks like a kitten to me. Of course Dan's first reaction to me saying she didn't look very cat-like was, "wouldn't it be funny if it just turned out to be a baby rat?" No. It wouldn't.

Thank goodness for my sister--the animal know-it-all, wildlife rehabilitator, who patiently handled multiple calls from me last night and told me important things like how much to feed it and that I needed to wipe its bum with a warm cloth to get it to have a BM (very unpleasant, but amazingly, it works.)  I called her this morning to see if I could pass Dolly on to her, but she's too busy with the orphaned baby screech owl she's raising, her cat who's being nursed back to health after getting a paw stuck in a trap and a dog who's ready to have her puppies (not to mention three children to take care of)...so Emma and I are on our own. Doing our best. Hoping for a healthy little life for Dolly.

Comments

[autum]

Oh my goodness that picture makes me smile and cry at the same time. The way she is cradling that kitty like a little mama. So sweet. I hope Dolly does well! It looks likes she is getting plenty of love.

[Alicia A.]

Ahhhh... look at the little mommy. I hope Dolly does well.

Good luck!

[Adriana]

Isn't Dolly lucky to have found such a caring family?

Best wishes!

[joy]

so sweet! here's to a long healthy life dolly!

[Gina L]

How sweet! Sounds like she may take her love for helping animal, after her Aunt.

[Mirre]

So sweet!
I hope Dolly will have a long and happy life!

[mommy zabs]

golly your life is never dull! :) You are sweet for helping this little one.

[Bessilu]

You are too kind! It will be a lot of work. That picture is so sweet.

[debra]

your husband's comment had me cracking up--it is soooo like something mine would say! In fact, mine has something sarcastic to say about almost everything I get overly excited about. Don't you just want to slap them sometimes?? ;-)

[claudia]

GOOD LUCK!!! What a lovely creature such a little kitten is, she´s lucky to have you looking after her. I hope your little one feels better too!

[Amy]

What an adventure! I hope little Dolly does well so we can hear more wonderful stories. What a great bond your daughter will have with that animal.

[Kristy]

Oh so cute!I hope she does well.We got a kitten yesterday but he's a little older (9 weeks).I'll post some photos later.

[Jenn (knittyJenn)]

aw oh my goodness!! well I wish nothing but the best for you guys and little miss dolly in raising her...poor little girl. :( but very lucky she has you two to thank! :)

.♥.

[capello]

Oh my goodness, Dolly is so lucky to have you.

[Angela]

Poor kitty! But she is lucky now. Look at her little sweetie being so tender and mommy-like! That has to warm your heart! I hope Dolly stays healthy and good for you all for taking her in.

[rebecca]

so sweet! i sure hope dolly does well.

[weirdbunny]

she is tiny, thats just amazing to feed her like that. The children must be delighted to fed her.

[Meg]

I'm in love with that little kitty and if I lived anywhere near you I would take it myself ... don't think it would survive the flight to NZ however:-)

Also, love that bag in the previous post.

[Lily]

Oh my goodness. Good luck to you all!

And awww a baby screech owl. Awww :)

[Amy]

What a cutie, I use to bottle raise kittens all the time, it can be a lot of fun!

[eireann]

so, so sweet. best of luck + good wishes.

[Elaine]

What a cute little, tiny kitten. Sometimes the mom can leave behind the runt. Natural selection, I guess. I have done this before, and my piece of advice is keep up really regular feedings. I was a kid nursing a kitten once. Half the milk came back out her nose. =( Then I overslept, and the kitten died. It's a terrible story, I know, but I'm just sharing so maybe you can learn from my mistake. If you haven't already, take her to the vet, who can make sure she is healthy, and might give you advice on how to help her survive.

Goof luck, and don't forget to update us.

[Elaine]

What a cute little, tiny kitten. Sometimes the mom can leave behind the runt. Natural selection, I guess. I have done this before, and my piece of advice is keep up really regular feedings. I was a kid nursing a kitten once. Half the milk came back out her nose. =( Then I overslept, and the kitten died. It's a terrible story, I know, but I'm just sharing so maybe you can learn from my mistake. If you haven't already, take her to the vet, who can make sure she is healthy, and might give you advice on how to help her survive.

Good luck, and don't forget to update us.

[Katey Nicosia]

oh my gosh! I want a tiny kitten that needs to be bottle fed! Nothing's cuter.

[Miranda]

That picture is so cute!I hope that Dolly is doing better! I know how you felt. Like you have to do something to help, but don't know how.