Living out in the country offers many opportunities. Among them, the opportunity to observe and appreciate nature more. It affords us a place to raise a couple of calves, goats, rabbits and lots of dogs! There are many things that we have to contend with, too. The other morning, for instance, our son went out to feed the rabbits. A mamma rabbit had given birth–by the way, do you know that mamma rabbits can have babies (as many as 8 at a time) every 30 days–yes, days!! The previous night, maybe coyotes raided the rabbit cages and killed a mamma rabbit, leaving all but one of her recent baby rabbits alive.
So, our son brings it in the house. Grandpa fed it with a dropper serveral times, but when he was ready to feed it in the morning, it had died. The grandkids had wanted to “adopt” it, but Gramps had to know that the baby rabbit would be strong enough to be adopted.
This is not the first time that animals are rescued at this ranch. Once, I remember Gramps and one of our daughters stiching up a baby piglet that had been stomped on by the mama pig.
Animals are a big part of the countryside. Our kids are grown, but still try and manuver their vehicles not to run over all the baby frogs on the road.
Has anyone rescued a defenseless little critter? Tell us your story. I will keep you posted on what goes on in our neck of the woods. Betty
Country Living & Animal Rescue
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September 30, 2009 at 2:25 pm |
Three weeks ago my daughter Angelica was coming home from a meeting. As she was about to make a left turn she suddenly saw a tiny little cat just about where she was going to turn. She frantically hit the brakes as she swirled to the right to avoid hitting the little kitten. She parked and went to see, since it did not move. The poor feline was in bad shape; barely moving; and so limber. She brought the cat home and called me before she got home that she has a little cat that seems it was dying. When she got to the driveway I met her half way and immediately took the cat. She had wrapped the kitten in a towel. So I proceeded to gently open the towel, and there he was. So ting on the palm of my hand. The kitten dazedly and groggily lifted it head up to see me. It had so beautiful green eyes! He tried to meow – like saying – help me please! But, it was very faint. My wife looked at him and she said, “Oh, the poor kitty is sick. We need to do something.” I went ahead and did a 5 point examination to see that he was not injured physically, did not have bugs, any substances on him, any skin abscesses and ear swelling. As I was examining him, I said to my daughter and wife, “This is not just an ordinary kitten.” My daughter and wife replied, “What do you mean.” I said this looks like a Bobcat kitten. “A Bobcat?” they both replied. Yes. I noticed his pointed ear tips; his flat face; his spots on the underbelly; the short tail; and the strips on his legs. We looked at each other and thought what a Bobcat kitten was doing on the sidewalk in South Houston.
My wife immediately gave him a warm bath. We began to feed him gradually. Three days later the kitty cat was doing fine. He was very playful; wanted all the attention. Meanwhile, my daughter went around South Houston to see if anyone had posted anything about a lost kitten. We look in the local newspaper. There was nothing. After a week I decided to take him to the animal rescue center, which was about 6 blocks away. “May I help you?” the assistance asked. “Yes, I believe we have found a Bobcat.” I replied. She looked at it carefully and went through some books. She said, “It is not a Bobcat.” However, what you have here is a rare American Bengal bobtail kitten. Bobtails resemble Bobcats’ wild appearance. When we heard that we figured someone must be looking for him. So we took him home, and kept looking for postings. After two weeks, we went back to the animal rescue center and told them we cannot find the owners and would like to leave the kitten there for them to find him a home. What they said next was shocking. “If no one claims him today we will have to euthanize him.” We were stunned to hear that. “Euthanize, we want you to find a home for him.” Anyway, they gave this explanation that to me was inhumane. We took the kitten home and finally found a good home for him. We knew the family that wanted him. My daughter cried, when they took him away. He was so beautiful; so playful and loving. But, we know he will be taken cared with so much love.