The Queen of Bandaids
As many of you know, I drove to Paintsville last Monday and picked up 4 foster babies--A Mama cat, and her two kittens, and young dog named Roxie. It was a long drive, and I was only 40 miles, (1.25 hours), from my step-daughter's home in Hazard... We drove all the way back to Louisville, with the kitties too sick to cry and Roxie, the dog, climbing all over the car in a panic.
Paintsville is in the heart of the mountains. In other words, you drive the entire length of the Mountain Parkway, (4-lane), until it becomes the Bert Combs Parkway, (limited access 2-lane), until that peters out entirely to a state road, until BOOM, you're on the local road and at the edge of town wondering how in the Hell you got there. The mountains are so close, it's as if they are peering over your shoulder, and the locals, while very sweet and kind to me, gave me that, "Oh, you're from Louisville" look, that means I'm a big-city girl. I tell everyone the truth, I'm FROM Owensboro, and they think I said Owenton, which is in the mountains, too, so I'm all right...
Roxie, to the left!
Paintsville is in Johnson County, next to Magoffin County, both named for original pioneers whose names are inscribed on the sacred obelisk at Fort Boone. In other words, they came to KY, and carved a home out of the wilderness. There is NO animal shelter in either county, and the animals are kept, badly, in the county garage, with no heat, and no food/water on weekends.
After watching this huge expose on TV about how shelter animals are so abused in the state, I called a local rescue up and said, "I'll take somebody-- cat or dog." They readily agreed, and, now I have 3 more cats and another dog... Temporarily.
This is little Neve, on the left. her eyes are a little better, and she has gained 7 oz!
Since then, I've been "doctoring" on the babies-- giving meds, lathering love on them, making sure they have everything they need to be healthy. The Mama Cat is much better, and is grooming herself, with the flea meds on her neck, so, thank God, I don't have to bathe her. She has needle-like claws that reach out and slash my old skin like it's tissue paper! The blood thinners I take daily, ensure that blood is everywhere, before I even know about it.
After giving Bianca, the mother cat, her antibiotics, I was working with little Neve, the smallest and noticed that she was covered in blood. It wasn't her, it was me... Thankfully! Neve, (Italian for "snow"), has a bad heart murmur, and is weak. I'm trying to keep her alive, and she just doesn't have a lot of zip to her. Juneau, the puff ball, is a bit more feisty, and loves to climb up the front of my sweater, and tangle herself in my hair...
The 2 kittens are still sick, though getting better slowly. They have tiny needle-like claws that pierce the skin just enough to draw blood, but I am perforated by now. I counted-- 15 bandaids because when I peel one off, the wound bleeds again, and then, I have to go get another bandaid.
This is little Juneau, on the left. Her eyes are a lot better. She is going to be a beautiful cat!
I've gone through all the Fred Flintstone bandaids I had for Peep, and the ones with the hearts, and now, I'm on the ones that are ultra-cloth, super duper things that won't come off no matter what. And when they do, they take a layer off with them!
Then, there is Roxie, the young dog. Roxie has no idea what her name is, or where she is, or what has happened to her. You can call her, and she will stop and look at you, and then run faster... She has a great deal of separation anxiety when I leave the room, and runs up to claw me in panic that I will leave her. Poor girl!
Roxie is also on anti-biotics because on day 2, her nose suddenly started to blister, sort of, on the top, and she has had her worm medicine, AND some kind of skin medicine. 2 pills and a powder. Just making sure the Roxie gets HER medicine, and the others don't take it for her is a trip, deluxe.
The kitties have eye ointment, antibiotics, yerm meds, and I'm trying to clean them up with warm water on cotton balls. I have permission to bathe them- tomorrow, maybe? I hope I'll have time.
At any rate, I've got the kitties in quarantine in one bathroom, since until they are well, they can't be around my fat boys, and Roxie is loose round the house, wreaking havoc with the other dogs, and my fat boys are irked with me, and my husband is ready to kill me.
So, meet the new babies! They're cute, but sick, still... I've got to get them well enough to find homes for them!
The pictures above are of them, the first day we came home. The kittens look a lot better, although their eyes are still a mess, and little Neve has gained 7 oz!!! At least the food is good... 
Thanks for coming by!
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Dowser, you're an angel!
Far from that!
I learned something very interesting at the vet's. Only the blue-eyed kitties are deaf. It is a recessive trait of some kind that when the cats have blue eyes, they are deaf. I'm hoping that Little Neve's eyes turn amber, like her mother's-- otherwise, she will be deaf, as well as have heart problems.
She is going to need a special adoption!
Dowser, it's a wonderful thing that your doing. I know when we took in Annie, it was only supposed to be until the no-kill shelter had room for her. Well, so much for that, she's still with us and an important part of our life. It was two years last month.
Marsha,
You are such a good soul. These poor babies needed TLC and you are giving it to them. I think you might have to file the kittens nails so that you are not the queen of bandaids. Just press on the paws, so that all the nails come out and a quick swipe with a nail file, should take care of that.
I know with your care and gentleness, even Neve will get better!
All I can say Dear Dowser..is...you're a very special person, with a gentle heart and spirit.
I have found that you can get some powdered milk for cats in the kitty section of wal mart. mix it with bottled water and feed it to the cats. It will put the weight on the little fur balls. Also I have taken an eye dropper and fed them the juices from Star kissed tuna.in water and in oil. The in oil helps their fur coat and it helps them get rid of any fur balls they may have swallowed. One of my cat named King Author had brought me a little Siamese cat that was so sick and small it couldn't walk or feed itself. I bathed her and gave her the milk and tuna juice and now she is one of the biggest divas I have. Her name is Precious.
Dear Kavika, I can't possibly have 6 cats and 4 dogs... We can just barely all fit into the car to go somewhere, as it is!
This HAS to be temporary, or I may not have a home...
But, all of my pets were rescues, so I understand exactly what you are saying... I can't imagine life without any of them!
Wow! I bet it is next to impossible! Neve doesn't seem to be deaf, but she could be, and I just don't know it... She is darling, but very small-- and, at 9-10 weeks, still nursing. Bianca, the Mama allows both of them to nurse now. She has plenty of food and water and is able to take care of them herself, in many ways. I think she was in such poor shape, she couldn't.
They are truly sweet babies, and I look forward to them being well!
Thank you! That would have never occurred to me! I will file their little nails when we do the baths... I haven't done it yet, because I am exhausted.
I hope little Neve gets better-- I really worry about her. She is such a sweet baby!
Nona, thanks so much! I hope that I can make a difference, no matter how small.
Precious' name fits her!
I bought some canned kitten formula-- which was unheard of years ago... I've been putting it in a dish, and it seems to be helping them all.
I'm so glad that you got Precious and was able to pull her through!
Dear Dowser, you already are making a difference, and I thank you..(for ALL of your fur babies)
Awwww! Thank you, dear friend-- that is very sweet!
It all sounds hauntingly familiar, D...
My GF works w/ the local animal rescue group, and does wildlife rehab as well. Thus far this year, she's 'mommed' three deer, a couple-three young skunks, countless baby bunnies, squirrels, a (growing) family of finches and some sort of crane ( mean bastard, that crane). That's on top of her own critters-- couple horses, goats, 5-6-7 dogs, cats, chickens (who roost in the trees)and the pot-bellied pig. Yesterday was a trip all over Hell's half-acre to pick up 2 Muscovy ducks and a belligerant goose...
BTW-- for minor cat-punctures/scratches, try a little dab of any 'dry-stick' deodorant (the chalky compressed powder kind) before you put on the bandaid. The stuff almost instantly coagulates blood to produce a scab, like the old-fashioned 'styptic pencils' that used to be around back in the day... when people shaved with blades. Should help out w/ the blood-thinner problem.
You're one in a million Dowser... best of luck with the newfurballs.
Thanks for the tip, dear SwamiJim! I will try that!
Bless your GF's heart-- she must be VERY special! I've always wanted to rescue the wild ones, but need special training to do so, here in KY. You can face fnes up to $10,000 here in KY for unofficially fostering wildlife without having a license to do so. And yet, there are no shelters in parts of the state for cats and dogs...
Sometimes, I just don't understand. Thanks, so much for your kind words!
Dear Raven Wing, I'm glad to do it! They're so cute!
Marsha,
You utilize your compassionate heart to bring hope to people and furry darlings, a beautiful gift. Through your nurturing it's my hope they will become stronger and healthier with each passing day. Bless you for taking the time to see the need and be part of the solution.
Lynne Adams,
Our friend Marsha is an Angel on Earth!!
Yaaaayyyyyyyyy!!!!! Nice Job!
Yaaaayyyyyyyyy!!!!! Nice Job!
Dear Lynne, you and Nona are the best friends, ever. Thank you for your kind words! I hope they can lead healthy and happy lives, and know love. I don't think that Bianca, the Mama cat has known much love in her life. I can't imagine anyone not loving on them!
The Johnson County Garage is one of the places where you hope you never have to go... It is heart breaking to see these animals in such dire circumstances! I had to do something, and will continue to do more.
Thanks, dear Brolly! Your support means everything!
Beautiful animals that have a great home now.
You do great things my friend!
You're so sweet! thanks! the little kitties are better! Pictures coming soon!
We just adopted a Havanese -- she's almost 5 years old but looks like a puppy; she had a bad first 4 years and was about to be "put to sleep" (what a euphemistic, bullshit, heartless phrase). My wife was intent on adopting/rescuing her and at first, I was not happy about it.
I'm glad my wife convinced me to give the dog a home. "Gracie" has the sweetest disposition, is no trouble at all and has "brightened" our already bright home.
Not a great photo (iPhone) but this will give everyone an idea until I take some serious pictures.
She's adorable, and to some of us this is a "serious" pic!! Actually, I'm looking forward to seeing your pics knowing her beauty and personality will come shining through for you sir do amazing photographic work.
Very kind of you; many thanks.