- Joined
- Dec 15, 2013
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I want to tell the story of mamma kitty to honor her crossing the bridge last week. Last June I saw a cat outside with kittens outside my kitchen window. They were eating food I always keep outside for strays that pass through. I took pictures and watched the babies eat to try to fumble around the new yard. They left and I never saw them again until July. They were outside eating, so I opened the door slowly, but everyone scattered. It took some time, but mamma kitty let me be around her babies, and soon we were a family. I loved watching her take care of her babies, nursing them, grooming, and showing them how to live. I've never been around kittens and their mother before, and it's just amazing how they survive. The kittens were about 6 weeks old I think. I have a dog that encountered her by surprise one day. He was curious about the new furry critters, and mamma kitty showed him not to mess with them. My dog got a couple of good cuts on his ear, but otherwise he was fine. He respected the new cats after that, and never had another spat with them. We had a routine over the next months. I sent up a play area in the garage, and when it got colder, I put a heat lamp out there. They would snuggle together under it. The papa cat was and still is out there. I had a great family of feral cats. I had mamma kitty spayed, and her three boys neutered a few months ago. A few weeks ago I started working on getting mamma and the babies to come in the house. I had to be careful, since I have a dog and four declawed senior cats in the house already. Mamma would eventually come in, but she wanted back out after a little bit. The babies have been going out and in for a couple of weeks now. Mamma would always be around here everyday, even though she liked to roam. Tuesday, I was home on my lunch hour and she was by the door. I let her in and gave her a can of food. I picked her up and hugged her. She went back outside and I went back to work. I got home from work, and she was not there. I called for her....nothing. Wednesday morning no mamma, at lunchtime...no mamma. Wednesday evening I knew she was gone. We found her Thursday, under a bush 2 houses from us. She had been attacked by a dog. She was laying in a relaxed position with her paws crossed, almost like she was saying. I took on that dog and got away. She hopefully didn't suffer. I feel so bad that she died that way. I was working on having her inside, but I ran out of time. I feel like I let her down. I had her cremated yesterday, so she'll always be with her 3 boys, and myself. I haven't let the boys outside since, because I promised I would continue her work of keeping them safe. I feel honored to have known momma kitty, and that she let me enjoy her babies with her. Papa still comes here, and I'm going to get some cat harnesses so they can still be around him. Sorry this is so long, but I just had to tell my story. I'm glad I found this forum.
