January 3, 2010

Black cat


Like every weekend, no matter how sick I am, I went to feed "my" stray cats. I've been feeding them for a long time now but they still don't let me pet them and I am not forcing it on them as I don't want them to trust the humans too much. Bad things can happen to trusty cats, I've seen it. I spotted a black cat (there are a few black cats there)  lying in the grass.  The cat seemed huge and I thought it might be a pregnant female.  But it was a he (discovered later). He didn't come when I called at him. So I went to check if something was wrong. The cat just meowed at me and didn't run away. Since this is near a road, I thought he might have been hit by a car. He let me pet him, he even started to purr even if it was obvious he was in discomfort, so I don't think he was one of "my" strays. I gave him some food, but he couldn't eat. He drank some water. I called the vet and he said I could bring him in. I grabbed him gently and I put him into a box and in the back of my car. He meowed from time to time just to let me know he was still alive. The vet gave him a thorough check up and said that fluids and blood have invaded his stomach cavity (that is why it looked like he was pregnant) and part of the lungs. He only had 20-30% lungs capability. When the vet listened to his heart, the cat started to purr! He was also suffering from hypothermia. The vet said it would be best for the cat to be put to sleep. And this was a good and sympathetic vet. I had to trust his judgment although it broke my heart. He first gave him an injection so he would fall asleep. I sat besides him and I petted him until he was in the world of dreams. Unfortunately this wasn't my first failed rescue and I promised to myself that I would always stay with the cat till the end. The vet was really very nice, which is more unique than rare. He talked me through everything. And than that time came... I thanked him, left the room, cried. It was probably the first time I've seen the cat, but this is how mushy I am when it comes to animals. He is in cat heaven now.. I just wanted to remember him.



PS: The picture is from Internet.

5 comments:

Melody said...

At least he felt some kindness before he left for Cat Heaven... you do good things... and make me cry into my keyboard. Hugs :)

Lori Skoog said...

You did the right thing. There need to be more people in this world like you.

Christina said...

(well, I left a comment and it disappeared??)
aawww..that is so sad. I know it is hard but it a good thing you do for the animals. He had someone show him love even if for a just a short time, that meant a lot to him. {{{{}}}}

Dream Valley Ranch said...

Oh Sandra-I am so sorry...poor sweet kitty and your poor tender heart. You gave the sweet kitty the biggest gift by putting him out of his pain, but that truth never seems to make the act and loss any easier. Even when it's a kitty you just met. Thinking of him purring as you pet him brought me to tears...bless your heart for giving him love as he left this world. Sending a hug your way,
sue

Lorac said...

Just reading this made me cry so you can see what a suck I am! You did the right thing although so very hard to do! He needed a friend to help him move on to Kitty Heaven.
I have a kitty that looks like your Pupa. She came to me as a pregnant stray. We also have a 17 year old black cat that was found as a very small kitten in a box in the ditch at the side of the road.

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