Okay, I've always said I'm a "stray magnet" and now I completely believe that I am one, and here is why. I went outside for a few minutes this morning and when I came inside I left my front door open. So, I walk over to the door to close it and I see this cat walking through my front yard. I'd never seen this cat before so I step outside on my front porch and say, "Kitty, kitty" expecting it to run away. Nope... this cat starts meowing and walking towards me. So, I sat down on my steps and kept saying "kitty" to him as he made his way over to me. Once he got to me and I got a good look at him I realized that this little boy is not in good shape. He is skinny with a capital S!! I didn't know what to do, I don't have any cats so I don't have any cat food on hand but I couldn't leave this cat outside like that. So, I pick him up (he is nothing but skin and bones!!) and put him inside one of my bathrooms. I went to get him a can of tuna but we're out, so I got him a can of cooked chicken breast instead and a small bowl of water. He immediately started chowing down on the chicken. The poor thing must have literally been starving. :-( Anyway, here is my problem. I can't keep this cat because my son is severely allergic to cats - he has allergy induced asthmatic attacks from cats, to the point of having to be hospitalized - so there is no way I can keep him in the house. If I put him back outside, I'm sure he'll wander away, and then I'll feel terrible and worry about what has become of him. What do I do with him?? He is SO skinny and malnourished, but he is very sweet and affectionate. I have no idea if he has feline leukemia and I don't have the $$ to have him tested for it right now. What would you all do?? Help! Here are some pictures of him. I *think* he is a young adult, but it is hard to tell. He has not been neutered and his little ear is all ragged like he has been in his fair share of fights already, but he doesn't have that big head that most older Tom cats get over time, which is why I think he is probably young. Notice his protruding bones in picture # 3. :-(
Oh geeze, this is terrible. I went back in the bathroom and spent some time rubbing his head (can't stand to rub his body because I can feel every bone in it) and he flopped over on his side and started purring - breaking my heart, wrapping himself around my little finger in the process. :-( As I was washing my hands to leave I looked at him and the light was hitting his pupils. His right eye looks normal, but his left pupil looks really weird. I can't tell if it is an injury to his cornea or if it is something with the pupil itself, but something is very wrong with that eye. I can't stand this. I think I'm going to run him over to my vet and see what they think is going on with him. I have a very bad, gut feeling that he has leukemia. If he is sick, I'd rather pay to have him put to sleep than think about him dying alone in the woods somewhere. At least he would have someone loving on him at the time of his death. :cry: Gotta get this done before the kids get home... say a prayer for me. :-(
Oh poor kitty - at least he knew enough to find his way to a loving person. Ready - my heart goes out to ya girl and prayers.
Ohh Ready... {{{{{ R2CMK & kitty }}}}}}} Like Kaci said, glad he found his way to a caring individual.. hope all turns out well. Let us know how it turns out.
Ready, you are a good person! Bless you for taking care of him! Good luck! I hate finding strays! I found a soaking wet kitten last year in the ditch near my house, I found it a good home, but it was lucky!
Well... he is gone, but not in that way. I put him outside so he could "do his business" while I ran upstairs to dry my hair (yes, I was very late taking a shower today .) I put his little can of chicken, his bowl of water and him on my front porch and watched him for a few seconds before going upstairs. He just made himself at home on the porch and looked like he was going to go to sleep, so I ran upstairs for maybe 10 minutes. When I came back down, he was no where in sight! I went out and looked for him, called him, nothing. Vanished just as quickly as he appeared. :? He had eaten a little more chicken before he left so I'm going to leave it out there for a while longer to see if he comes back for some more. Too late for a trip to the vet today, but if he comes back again, chances are he'll start coming up regularly so I can get him in.
Ready~ Have you seen him again? Poor, poor kitty! You're such a sweetie for looking after him! Frogger
I've always heard that animals can sense a good hearted person and that must be why all the strays find your house. You did a wonderful thing - he looked so heartbreakingly thin & I'm not even a cat person. Here's hoping he'll show back up soon.
Still have seen him again. Feeling guilty about putting him outside, but I was afraid he would need to "go" after eating half a can of chicken breast. :neutral:
