Helping Bertie
Last week I was on a dairy farm testing cows--that's part of my job. When we finished, I saw a little tabby kitten walking around. She had an obvious shoulder injury, the shoulder blade completely rotated with every step. I thought it was dislocated, but there was no way to be sure. I picked her up, her motor started running. She was such a friendly thing. I felt her shoulder, her spine, pressed gently down her leg. She did not seem to be in any pain.
Watching her walk made me cringe inwardly, it looked so awkward and painful. I wanted to help her somehow, but I didn't really know what to do. I was 2 hours from home, and I had no way to transport her. I reluctantly set her down and went home.
I thought about her on the drive home. She could not walk very fast, and she certainly couldn't run. Life for a farm cat can be difficult. She had been stepped on once, that is what caused the injury. She couldn't move fast enough to get out of the way or catch mice, how would she get enough to eat? So, I decided that I would bring her home with me if she was still around when we went back to the farm in 3 days. I just could not let it go.
Before I went back to the farm I made an appointment with my vet. I took a cat carrier with some old towels and a small litterbox with me when I left my house.
The kitten was there, walking near the barn when I arrived. After we were done with our work, I asked the farmer if I could take her. He agreed, said she was about 3 months old. He confirmed that she had been stepped on.
On the drive back this time, hearing her make her small noises every now and then, I felt extremely comforted because I had been able to do something. The feeling of helplessness I had when they told me my baby was struggling, that the heartbeat was too slow, that it hadn't grown, was so frustrating to me. I could do nothing to make my baby better. I couldn't heal her. It was too early to know for sure, but I feel my baby was a girl and I named her Elizabeth.
So, seeing that this kitten needed help and being able to do something about it was such a comfort to me. I couldn't help my baby, but I could help Bertie. That is what I would've nicknamed my little Elizabeth.
The kitten did have a dislocated shoulder, and a few other issues as well. I got her dewormed, treated her for earmites, and got her started on antibiotics for a respiratory infection. She could not be tested for Feline Leukemia and FIV because she was a bit too young according to my vet. I could not isolate her until she could be tested, and I have another cat.
I took her to a kitten foster home highly recommended by a friend. There she will get further medical attention and then when she's ready, she will be offered for adoption as an indoor cat where she can be comfortable and safe.
It was in my power to give Bertie a chance at life, something I couldn't do for my Elizabeth. I did this for the kitten, and for me. But mostly, I did it for Elizabeth. I hope she knows, and that she is proud.
Watching her walk made me cringe inwardly, it looked so awkward and painful. I wanted to help her somehow, but I didn't really know what to do. I was 2 hours from home, and I had no way to transport her. I reluctantly set her down and went home.
I thought about her on the drive home. She could not walk very fast, and she certainly couldn't run. Life for a farm cat can be difficult. She had been stepped on once, that is what caused the injury. She couldn't move fast enough to get out of the way or catch mice, how would she get enough to eat? So, I decided that I would bring her home with me if she was still around when we went back to the farm in 3 days. I just could not let it go.
Before I went back to the farm I made an appointment with my vet. I took a cat carrier with some old towels and a small litterbox with me when I left my house.
The kitten was there, walking near the barn when I arrived. After we were done with our work, I asked the farmer if I could take her. He agreed, said she was about 3 months old. He confirmed that she had been stepped on.
On the drive back this time, hearing her make her small noises every now and then, I felt extremely comforted because I had been able to do something. The feeling of helplessness I had when they told me my baby was struggling, that the heartbeat was too slow, that it hadn't grown, was so frustrating to me. I could do nothing to make my baby better. I couldn't heal her. It was too early to know for sure, but I feel my baby was a girl and I named her Elizabeth.
So, seeing that this kitten needed help and being able to do something about it was such a comfort to me. I couldn't help my baby, but I could help Bertie. That is what I would've nicknamed my little Elizabeth.
The kitten did have a dislocated shoulder, and a few other issues as well. I got her dewormed, treated her for earmites, and got her started on antibiotics for a respiratory infection. She could not be tested for Feline Leukemia and FIV because she was a bit too young according to my vet. I could not isolate her until she could be tested, and I have another cat.
I took her to a kitten foster home highly recommended by a friend. There she will get further medical attention and then when she's ready, she will be offered for adoption as an indoor cat where she can be comfortable and safe.
It was in my power to give Bertie a chance at life, something I couldn't do for my Elizabeth. I did this for the kitten, and for me. But mostly, I did it for Elizabeth. I hope she knows, and that she is proud.
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