Traumatic Morning

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

I am sure some of you will remember Kissy - my "garden stray" with the crooked mouth? Well whilst I was away she must have gotten into a fight with one of the other cats here. Of course when I was away the outisde cats were fed and watered, but nothing more - no reall attention like I give them. Anyway yesterday I picked Kissy up, and noticed she had a HUGE lump (abcess) on her side. I decided I would have to wait until Wednesday and take her to the vet (2-day religious holiday here - all the vets are closed), but this morning when I was petting her I realised that the abcess had ruptured during the night. None of the vets were answering their phones, but I managed to get hold of my shelter, and they told me to bring her down. They have cleaned the wound, but I need to take her to the vet tomorrow for an antibiotic injection (don't know where the money for the vet visit will come from - will have to appeal to hubby's softy side!!!)

BUT on the way home (driving on a road I NEVER usually use) I spotted a group of 8 teenage boys surrounding what appeared to be a cat or a dog. I turned the car around and stopped next to them. The cat was backed up against a wall, and they were poking him with sticks whilst he growled and hissed. I grabbed my welding gloves and an old towel (always in the car), but upon closer inspection realised that the cat was injured - it was dragging it's back legs along the ground - so either it's legs or back has been hurt by a car.

I asked the boys to back away, locked my Son and Kissy in my car, and phoned the shelter. When I explained the situation they actually told me to get in the car and lock it until they arrived. I did, but had to get out again almost immediately because as soon as I got in the car the boys started harassing the cat again.

Luckily two staff from the shelter arrived within about 15 minutes, and captured the cat. I assume he will be put to sleep as (1) he is so badly injured and (2) he is feral, so will be un-adoptable. (I haven't been able to get through to their phone again, so I don't know for sure yet what happened to him.

I am so upset thinking about the poor cat. My Son is cross with me because he missed his arrangements with his friends because I stopped for the cat, my hubby is cross because I put myself in danger with all the teenagers, and I am so frustrated because it just seems that for every one cat which is rescued, there are so many more who cannot be helped.

*SIGH*

Of course I take comfort in the fact that my fellow PT'ers are just as "cat-crazy" as I am;)

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

I got through to the shelter by phone, and as I expected, the cat was PTS. His legs were too badly injured to be treated. They said he passed peacefully.

Have fun at the Rainbow Bridge little one - there are no cars or nasty people to hurt you there!

[davidpizzica]

Originally posted by Ally Cat's Mommy
I got through to the shelter by phone, and as I expected, the cat was PTS. His legs were too badly injured to be treated. They said he passed peacefully.

Have fun at the Rainbow Bridge little one - there are no cars or nasty people to hurt you there! That poor little guy hasn't a worry now. He's romping and playing with my two siamese Thai and Freddie over the rainbow bridge!

[Killearn Kitties]

Oh no! Another traumatic morning. I'm so sorry about everything - cat, son, hubby!

Rest in peace little kitty.

[catcrazylady]

I admire you for what you did! So many people would have just passed on by. I would surely have been in serious trouble because I have a problem keeping my mouth shut. I would have blasted those boys and probably needed an ambulance for myself! I know that would not have been the proper way to handle it but my patience is very short in certain situations. I'm so glad you handled things in just the right way.
Your son might be upset now but he will look back on these days as he grows and will have wonderful memories of his mothers kindness.
That was a wonderful thing you did for that poor kitty. You are now my HERO!!!!:D :D http://petoftheday.com/talk/images/our_smilies/biggrin.gif

[catlover4ever]

I am so sorry to hear about Kissy, but I am very glad that you were able to get her some treatment.

I feel so bad for the kitty on the side of the road, but you were certainly an angel to this little one by stopping and caring about him. You did what many people would not do.

[ramanth]

Sorry to hear Kissy isn't feeling well. I hope she heals up soon.

Poor kitty. :( I'm glad you were able to save him from those nasty boys and that he's no longer in pain.

[slick]

What a wonderful thing you did. If not for you that cat would have died a very painful death instead of passing peacefully. Bless you Julie.

RIP little kitty. No one will ever hurt you again.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by slick
What a wonderful thing you did. If not for you that cat would have died a very painful death instead of passing peacefully. Bless you Julie.

RIP little kitty. No one will ever hurt you again.

Couldn't have said it any better.

And I also agree that even though your son was upset for now, this will make a lasting impression on him and who knows, maybe someday he'll be playing with his friends and come across another such group of boys and call you to come help the poor critter being tortured at that time.

RIP unknown kitty. Play free without worry of mean people or big cars. :(

[Felicia's Mom]

Have fun at RB bridge kitty.

[kimlovescats]

Hope your sweet Kissy's abscess is healing well, and she is feeling better!

What you did for that feral kitty was very commendable, you helped it end it's suffering in a respectable way .... without all the taunting by cruel boys!!!!!!:mad: :rolleyes: :(

[jazzcat]

I hope Kissy is better soon.

Bless you for helping that cat. Rest in peace little one.

[moosmom]

I am also very proud of you! I would've done the same thing. Only I wouldn't have been as nice to those #$%@&* teenage boys! :mad: They are trouble just waiting to happen. I'm so glad you were able to get that poor kitty help.

It was sad that he was pts, but he's now in a far better place, totally healed and romping with all the other kitties (including my own RB Casey and RB Marina Mar).

RIP little one.

[QueenScoopalot]

I'm so glad you were in the right place at the right time! Poor, poor scared and hurt kitty didn't deserve to be tormented like that. I went through a similar incident a month or so ago. I had stopped into a local store where a friend (another cat nut) works, and when I came out noticed a commotion up the street involving a bus. At first I thought a person got hit as it's happened before, but instead discovered a poor orange cat had crawled under the bus when it stopped to let someone off. The poor bus driver was upset and kept saying that he didn't do it (I knew that, the cat would have been dead) and the passengers were getting annoyed. I had someone hold up the mud flap while I tried to reach him, but he dragged himself to the other side, and almost into oncoming traffic. I almost had him when the animal control pulled up and got out his catch pole and dragged the poor cat out by the neck carted him away to the vets where the cat was euthanized. :( I knew he had a broken back, and I took a small amount of comfort in knowing they don't feel much pain when it's broken. So your rescued kitty and this lil' red guy are romping whole again over the Rainbow Bridge. :)

[leslie flenner]

I'm curious how things went when animal shelter people got there, ie were the teens still there and watched it be trapped and HEARD sympathy from others regarding the cat's condition? Did anyone chastise them or just ignore them? Did any of them know how the cat came to have broken legs (did THEY do it?). I think I too would have locked myself in the car if only for the safety for my cat and child in the car. And of course jump out to intervene when necessary! Bravo for you turning around! I'm sure the scene would have haunted you for a long time had you not turned around to check it out! And bravo to you for staying put! Who knows how much worse the physical abuse would have gotten without your presence! Did the teens dis you in a nasty, threatening way?
Poor guy...too much hurting in the world...

[trayi52]

Ally Cat's Mommy, I have to commend you for your bravery! At least now the sweet little kitty is running free from harm at the bridge. No stupid teenage boy to harm it now.

I hope Kissy gets to feeling better soon.

Willie

[krazyaboutkatz]

Originally posted by jazzcat
I hope Kissy is better soon.

Bless you for helping that cat. Rest in peace little one. Ditto for me too.

[Corinna]

I not only commend you for stopping but on your restrant I would have started swinging on the teens. No one is going to argue with me almost 200 lbs all 5'2" when i get angry no stopping me.
Hugs to Kissy!

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

Originally posted by leslie flenner
I'm curious how things went when animal shelter people got there, ie were the teens still there and watched it be trapped and HEARD sympathy from others regarding the cat's condition? Did anyone chastise them or just ignore them? Did any of them know how the cat came to have broken legs (did THEY do it?). I think I too would have locked myself in the car if only for the safety for my cat and child in the car. And of course jump out to intervene when necessary! Bravo for you turning around! I'm sure the scene would have haunted you for a long time had you not turned around to check it out! And bravo to you for staying put! Who knows how much worse the physical abuse would have gotten without your presence! Did the teens dis you in a nasty, threatening way?
Poor guy...too much hurting in the world...

The people from the shelter basically told them "there is nothing more to see - move along" but they continued to hang around. I think (HOPE) it was just idle curiosity, and nothing more!

As a rule young men here tend to be respectful of their elders, although anti-western sentiment CAN run high at times. I suppose with a crowd of people, you can never tell what will happen - all it takes is one or two trouble-makers, and the rest join in.

I was very lucky that the situation didn't get worse - if they had been verbally or physically threatening I would have had to drive away - especially as my son was with me. He is very protective of me, and would not have stayed in the car if any of the boys had touched me or shouted at me.

I would have had sleepless nights if I hadn't turned the car around and gone to help.

Thanks everyone for all your kind words and understanding. That is the great thing about you all - you understand WHY I had to stop, and how I am feeling right now.

[jenluckenbach]

Who is would mind if I go whack those teenagers with a big stick a few times??? :mad:

RIP dear little kitty, you ARE in a better place now. :(

[Edwina's Secretary]

Julie...there is a reason you were on that road at that time.

You are a brave and good person.

[QueenScoopalot]

I sure hope those boys didn't cause the injuries to the cat! Kids can be awful to animals around here. Pack mentality sometimes rules over what some of those boys may have done, if they were alone. They may have been egged on by one another, and had to impress friends or be ostrasized (sp?) by their peers.

[AvaJoy]

You are a hero and I admire your courage in the midst of those "pack animals" that very well could have inflicted ALL the injuries that poor kitty suffered. Bless you for helping! {{HUGS}}

I hope Kissy is doing much better now.:)

[Laura's Babies]

I think what you taught your son that day was one of the most important lessons that he will ever learn... EVERY life is important and sometimes you can not just turn your head and walk away! It all starts with them seeing what you do, not in what they hear you say..... Those boys mothers should teach them such lessons...

[kitten645]

You are brave and a hero. That poor soul would have endured unbelieveable pain where you not there. :) My gut is to take a bat to those kids...seriously...that's what they were doing to that poor kitty..if they inflicted the initial wound or not. Give them a piece of there own actions. It's sad that in this day and age that people don't understand that every life is worthy...especially innocent animals that don't have an evil thought in them. I'm glad this baby is with so many PT babies that have recently crossed over.

[felinefanatic]

Your story is heart breakingThis abuse to animals is happening far to often and the sad thing is peopleusually just look the other way or assume somebody else will help:mad: I am so glad that you cared enough to help that helpless little kitty. Where ever that little cat is now, at least he knew sombody truly cared for him.
I vote "Alleycatsmommy" Person of the Day!!:) :)