Friday, September 4, 2009

Rip My Heart Out

Of course you can tell this is going to be a post about something painful. At work today, I got a phone call from the Office Manager saying to come up immediately to her office - it was VERY important (this is not about anything happening to me or my job, just so you know before you read further).
When I got there, there was a box of 4 tiny kittens that had been found on the school grounds. I don't think the kittens were weaned yet - although they were close to it - about the size of guinea pigs. The office mgr was trying to get people to take them home, but I was wondering where the mother was.
Why couldn't they leave them where they were for 2 more weeks - let the mother take care of them. I'll bet she's looking for them now, and full of milk for them.
I know it's possible the mother abandoned them, but they were healthy and flea-free - they did not show any signs of having been abandoned.
So the usual well meaning circus began. People picking up the crying babies, who were bewildered and wondering where their mother is - and trying to feed them regular milk. The kittens were looking for a nipple - for what was familiar - and cool cow's milk isn't familiar, nor is a syringe.
I got myself out of there ASAP. I have 4 cats and 2 birds - and we have a settled eco-system. No cats resent the others so much that there is bad cat litter behavior (aka peeing outside the litter box), or resentment. All 4 pretty much get along all the time, and have learned a hierarchy amongst themselves. To bring a 5th, very dependent kitten in - possibly bearing diseases - it's just not a good idea. Besides, my husband and I want to be able to take care of what we already have. If they become ill, they need to see the vet and that costs money. We already probably have more than we can really afford.
So I didn't take a kitten. I did look online for no-kill shelters in our area and there are 2 of them, both full. At least the Humane Society would take care of them as long as they are healthy - and they are. The Humane Society does not claim to be no-kill, but they will not euthanize healthy animals that can be adopted. All 4 of these kittens fit under that header.
When I went up later, I thought perhaps the Office Mgr had taken them somewhere, but I found out that one of our employees had taken them to her nail place to see - I don't know - if anyone there might want one.
I don't trust most people's knowledge, even if their motives are good. These kittens will need special food until they are weaned - and I have a feeling most people who take a kitten will not give them the care they will need. If they keep getting passed around for the rest of the day, they will get sick from not eating or drinking.
This whole scenario does indeed rip my heart out. I could cry when I see something like this. And the people who mean well, cooing over how cute they are, but not realizing the care that they will need.
I have to let it go - not ask questions about what happened to them. Just not go there at all. Put it behind me. I just love innocent animals so much that it hurts me to see them helpless and at the mercy of people - any people.
I wish the Lord Jesus would come and fix this planet up already - get rid of the results of sin and death and suffering.
Romans 8:21-23 (emphasis and red color mine)
"Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
And not only then, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body."

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