Alas

[vr_trakowski]

Last night was such nice weather that I left my bedroom window open.  At about 11:30, I looked out to see a couple of kittens--five weeks, six?--cleaning up the leftovers from the ferals' supper.  I gathered up a couple of cans of cat food and went out.  There were at least five, and when they saw me they bolted into the bushes, but I put the food down anyway.  Judging from at least one of them, they're Cocoa's litter; I knew she'd given birth and was nursing, but not where her nest was. 

At about four this morning, I heard barking outside my window.  There are few dogs in my apartment complex--I'm not sure they're legal--and the couple I've seen were the little fluffy kind.  This was a German shepherd and something not much smaller. 

I whistled at them and they left off and trotted away.  But below my window I could see a little body in the grass. 

They came back about half an hour later, and I went out with a broom to tell them to go home.  They jingled when they left; they were wearing collars and tags. 

I took an old shirt and a plastic bag out when I left for work this morning, and gathered the little one up; the grass is long and I couldn't be sure Maintenance would see it.  There were no visible wounds, but it was soggy; shaken to death. 

I can't blame the dogs.  They were just being doggy.  I do blame whoever let them run free, and not just for the kitten, because I live right on a major road.  They could very easily be hit by someone not expecting a four-legged pedestrian, and the consequences could be disastrous for both the dogs and the driver.  I should know; I've done it, not half a mile away from where I live now. 

Poor kitten.  You had so little time, and your life probably wasn't going to have been much worth living; but you deserved the chance at it. 

Comments

poor kitten

[eagertalker.livejournal.com]

This is exactly how I ended up having 8 cats. All but one of them was a stray that no one wanted. I just wish that people would think once in awhile. My business partner now has 4 cats because someone dumped a 4 or5 month old kitten out during the coldest part of Jan. He was trying to make a nest of old leaves on her side porch when she found him. His little feet were soo cold that she called him a popcicle cat for awhile. He is a real sweetheart. I'm glad that you treated the little one with love at the end. anne

[4persephone.livejournal.com]

Have you called the local human society - Mama may be feral but a lot of humane societies will at least spay her so she doesn't keep having kittens to add to the feral cat population... It's a popular move these days instead of straight up euthanasia...and depending on the age of the kittens they may be small enough to catch, treat and get comfortable enough with people to adopt out...

[laura27md.livejournal.com]

:(

[inalichenmanner.livejournal.com]

Some people shouldn't be allowed to have pets. There's no excuse to let animals run loose like that. You're right - they're just being dogs; they can't help it, just as a cat will kill wildlife. But whoever owns them should be keeping them under better control.

That's how I ended up with Patches. The mother abandoned her when a dog got loose and chased her away from her nest. The dog's owners found her, took her to the vet and went looking for a home for her.

[mingsmommy.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry. Poor kitten.

And the people that let their dogs run loose should be flayed, drawn and quartered. Grrrr.

I am both a dog and cat lover and get unreasonably upset when I see a dog running loose for all of the reasons you mentioned. I used to stop my car and read tags and make phone calls. However, being a mom has made me more cautious with my own safety and I don't do it any more...well, okay, often.

I am sorry for the kitty and the dent it put in your kind heart.

[katrinb.livejournal.com]

Growl. Poor kitten. I don't blame the dogs either, but the dog owners should have their nose rubbed in it. Both literally and figuratively.
Responsible pet ownership is not that difficult, people.

[celtae.livejournal.com]

Poor baby -

My newest furbaby was abandoned by a feral mom - he was the runt, and I guess she figured he wouldn't make it. He's tiny, but healthy now, and a true lovebug.

[trialia]

Poor baby. I hate it when people let big dogs run loose without supervision - that's how stuff like this happens. Poor little furbaby.

[cincoflex.livejournal.com]

it's rough, and I'm always so touched by how you care for the little things that so many of us overlook, VR.

*sniffle*

[snowydragon1776.livejournal.com]

oh that is just horrible :(

Poor little kitten

*hugs*

Re: poor kitten

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

Yes--at this point I'd have half a dozen if I had the room. *sigh* People are so often thoughtless.

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately the SPCAs here would just euthanize. There is a private neuter-and-release group, but let's just say I had a very bad experience with them. I'd buy a live trap and try it myself, but I have nowhere to keep them while they heal--it's a one-bedroom apt. with two elderly cats already.

I suppose I shouldn't feed them. But I can't not.

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

Yeah. D:

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

At least they were responsible about it! And for all I know these dogs were escapees, but they seemed pretty casual for lost dogs.

Lucky Patches to have you!

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

I used to do that too--the most interesting being two Great Danes at once--but I am more cowardly now and have no place to put one should I catch it.

Thanks...

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

No, and for all I know they escaped, though as I said above they seemed pretty casual. If I knew who, I might be tempted.

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

It's amazing what can survive, if you give it a chance! He's lucky to have you.

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

Yeah. To my mind all pets should be kept an eye on, cats as well as dogs...

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Well, I didn't really get a chance for this one, but perhaps I can do better by its siblings.

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

Thanks. *hugs back*

[4persephone.livejournal.com]

I have two cats myself I do understand. I am sorry the neutering group in your area sounds like a no-go. There have been a few decent ones out there that really helped me which is why I suggested. Feeding them doesn;t keep the population down, but it is easier than watching them starve to death.

[vr-trakowski.livejournal.com]

Yes--thanks for the suggestion! I should look around again and see what's available, this was at least two years ago and things could have changed.

Three of them let me pet them right now. *sigh*