Foster Kitten Update.
After introducing this pair, I have not written again about these kittens; I’ve been waiting to have a better report… I have it now, and everyone gets a gold star.
These two were SO sick– tiny kittens are susceptible to an upper respiratory infection that you can imagine if you think of the very worst cold you ever had– the kind where you cannot breathe, your nose runs endlessly, your eyes water and everything feels terrible.
Tiny tuxedo kept getting it AGAIN… he’d improve a little, and then it would come roaring back… I now believe that it was a stress response; this little one was different than any other I have had— he was TERRIFIED of humans.
I could not convince him that I was safe and well-meaning… and it did NOT help that I kept stabbing him with needles and forcing him to eat.
It is an awful feeling to watch a tiny helpless little creature with an endlessly crusty face who literally cannot breathe; to not be able to HELP… and worse, every vet visit, every attempt to make things better, was so stressful for him that it put us back to square one.
Square one is standing on the toilet while the hot shower runs, with the bathroom door shut, to create a sauna, (you stand on the toilet to get as close to the ceiling as possible because steam rises.)
It has been rough– it has sucked my entire brain.
Then, I had A DAY– I found myself in a situation where I needed to literally plunge my arms into a bush filled with poison ivy.
You know when you feel ON FIRE WITH FRUSTRATION AT YOUR OWN STUPIDITY… this was all of those times, rolled into one–> WIT’S END.
That night, as I prepared syringes of food; no one wants to eat on their own when they are so sick… and I got towels for the mess-to-come, and heated the IV fluids and got the butterfly needles… I was discouraged and so overwhelmed.
I went over to where little man was curled up– he was exhausted, we had been to the vet for the nine-millionth time; I gave him some pets and said— I am so sorry but I have to give you needles now… and he rolled over and pulled his feet up to show me his belly AND HE STARTED PURRING…. SO LOUD.
PEOPLE.
I did not even believe what I was hearing.
I was… dumbfounded.
THE RELIEF IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PUT INTO WORDS.
And now?
Oh my gosh.
This little dude is a lovebug.
He does this thing now– he TELLS you he wants you to put your face at his level; then he walks back-and-forth VERY EXCITEDLY while purring AS LOUD as possible and rubbing his face and body on your general head area… you can SEE in his face that he is communicating with you. AND THAT HE IS HAPPY.
If a human can die of love, this will be the kitten who kills me.
I always forget – the ones who NEED you the most?
Those are the ones who GET your heart.
But they are going to need a special family— humans who can have patience.
They are both very shy with new people.
If their new family can be understanding— spend time just hanging out and letting them adjust… playing with them with their favorite toys. They will all be best friends very soon.
What I’m reading: Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive, by Stephanie Land
Did I like it?
No, I did not.
You know why? Because it is an immersion in tedium— the sluggish grind of poverty… having ZERO OPTIONS. Being judged. Being found lacking… JUST TRY HARDER.
Why?
wHy?
WHY?
Why do we give ALL of the money to rich people?
You’re a billionaire? HAVE A TAX CUT!
Better idea:
Take the money we give ENTIRELY TO THE RICH… and divide it evenly amongst EVERYONE.
Why not make EVERYONE’S life easier?
Why give it ALL to the Koch brothers?
WHY?
While I was reading this, I listened to the Pod Save America interview with Andrew Yang— it is worth your time; dude is smart and thinking about things I do not hear anyone else talking about.
He sold me on the absolute necessity of universal basic income… it benefits ME/YOU/US/EVERYONE/SOCIETY— we will never solve anything; especially climate change, while people are suffering so much in their daily struggle to just SURVIVE.
He has a plan to pay for it… and also the math to explain how wildly it will benefit the economy. Think about it— we are all idiots! Are we going to save that money? No! We are we going to spend it on unicorn pool floats and other frivolous stupidity like car repairs and going to the dentist.
I found him very compelling; he has a lot to add to the conversation– EXAMPLE: I did not know that Alaska ALREADY has a universal income! (for nearly 40 years! including children!) Shocker: Alaskans love it.
I’ve requested his book from the library– The War on Normal People: The Truth About America’s Disappearing Jobs.
August 7, 2019 @ 12:02 pm
OMG! This post!!! Blew me away! God bless YOU and THEM!!!! Too precious!!! Thanks for the book recs. Always good!
August 7, 2019 @ 12:54 pm
Hello,
The kittens are simply adorable! I do take issue with your insinuation that unicorn floaties are without merit, however. Have you tried one? Or two? How about a pineapple floatie? In short, don’t knock ’em until you’ve tried them. There is no great feeling than being on a floatie (except being trusted by any kind of “other” species).
I fully expect a retraction in your next blog….. : )
August 7, 2019 @ 6:21 pm
I think she meant a unicorn floatie is one of life’s necessities.
August 7, 2019 @ 12:03 pm
Oh so very glad to hear little Tuxedo is well now! I love that you have provided all that special needed care and concern for him and all the babies. As a mom who had two senior pets who were sick and would not eat, I know the stress it causes! Wonderful news to read today!!!
August 7, 2019 @ 12:10 pm
thank you
August 7, 2019 @ 12:12 pm
Victoria — I’m delighted your Mr. Tuxedo is doing better and has decided you are the object of his purrrsonal attention. A dear friend of mine also foster’s tiny and usually sick little kittens. On occasion, some of her little ones are also afraid of humans. She told me about something available on Amazon called the ‘Cat Dancer’ and even if the little kittens are afraid of humans, they absolutely cannot resist this perfect kitty toy. I bought one for our kitty and a few more for my other kitty friends. The regular toy is about $1.75 each. The Delux model with a catnip mouse on it doesn’t interest our kitty but she sure goes crazy for the one with little catnip cardboard things on the end. I highly recommend this kitty toy for your kittens. Sincerely — Jan Duda
August 7, 2019 @ 6:22 pm
Victoria has recommended that toy.
August 7, 2019 @ 12:18 pm
So happy they are both thriving now! They probably wouldn’t have made it in another environment. I also like a lot of what Andrew Yang has to say — wish he would get more air time. People who complain about Socialism just don’t get it — if we shared the wealth in this country, everyone and our country would be so much better off.
August 7, 2019 @ 3:27 pm
So you are fully prepared to give up some undetermined portion of your money, property, paycheck, health care coverage, etc? And you are okay with that?
August 7, 2019 @ 10:46 pm
Let’s not argue after such a great kitten outcome. At the very least, we can all agree that what we’re doing isn’t working so logically, we need to try something else.
August 8, 2019 @ 10:56 am
Perhaps you can study up on this subject before you form an opinion on its merits. I’ve always found that to be the best way.
August 8, 2019 @ 10:58 am
This comment was meant for Suzanna.
November 19, 2019 @ 6:20 pm
It isn’t so much “sharing” as it is keeping Paper Currency in circulation,not in the Cayman Islands or numbered Swiss bank accts. Paper currency only has value when it represents work,labor. Writing a book,operating on a brain,driving a truck that brings everything to everybody.
A billionaire can stand on an empty plot of ground with his paper money for eternity and nothing will be “created”. He has to find people who will build /work for his paper or do it himself. Build the bridge,airport,hospital,road. etc. all by himself. HA!
The abandoning of making our own stuff with well paid employment,very often health care,401 k participation with employer contributions along with the employee input,pensions,safe working conditions and restrictions on putting poisons into our air and water. Chinese children are suffering from Asthma and other respiratory ailments due to factory air pollution. The billionaires have trapped us into dependency on Communist countries/slave/forced labor for everything! Everything is made in China. Imagine if they stopped the container ships for a week? or a month? We would be at their mercy,what power they would have-what demands they could make? Stop buying-save the planet-make a minimum of new stuff here- reuse the old stuff. We got tons of it. Mountains of reuse brings back snow capped mountains majesty. I wish…….. We need CCC Climate Change currency to be paid for basic needs to.. Not.. work. Everybody go back to school,learn the difference between BS and facts. Start reducing the # of food animals,their need for grain feed,keep people home and recreating -out of cars etc. We can- we must save our Eden for today’s children,tomorrow’s adults.
August 7, 2019 @ 12:24 pm
YangGang! So happy to hear about the kitties improved health. I always love to read your posts about cats. If I lived closer I would have taken Webster in a heart beat. Also, you have a great style of writing and are so creative with your remodeling projects.
August 7, 2019 @ 12:28 pm
Strangely, you’ve been in my thoughts these past few days, perhaps because I’ve had a sick cat, and I hadn’t seen any posts from you in awhile.
I’m so happy your patience and hard work has paid off in the most beneficial way possible-health and KITTIE LOVE!
I have been reminded, once again, with my Stella’s struggles these past few days, what torture it is to see your fur babies suffering, and your well-intentioned attempts to help them heal often create more stress before the light shines in their eyes once again.
Your passion reaches across the technological highways and reminds me that suffering animals have saviours, you are an inspiration to many, and I am grateful for your goodness.
August 7, 2019 @ 12:29 pm
I love following your kitty stories and your renovation projects. Andrew Yang seems like a great guy with great intentions, but I don’t see things quite the same way he does economically. I don’t even give my kids allowance for doing their chores 😉 I respect differing opinions, but tend to agree with Thomas Sowell when it comes to economics. Have you ever read any of Thomas Sowell’s books? You might enjoy Discrimination and Disparities, which address some of the same issues Andrew Yang does. Here’s a link to an interview about the topics covered in the book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7hmTRT8tb4
So glad your current foster babies are doing well! Your current tuxedo looks a lot like one of mine 🙂
August 7, 2019 @ 1:39 pm
Amen! Liberals just don’t see the downside of socialism, see my comments below. I love Thomas Sowell, he is so smart.
August 7, 2019 @ 6:01 pm
Sowell’s a national treasure. I also highly recommend The Law by Bastiat. The lovely, lovely logic!
https://smile.amazon.com/Law-Frederic-Bastiat/dp/1940177014/ref=sr_1_2?crid=EBPJ1EFJJB6R&keywords=the+law+frederic+bastiat&qid=1565215179&s=books&sprefix=The+Law+%2Caps%2C180&sr=1-2
August 7, 2019 @ 12:34 pm
Have you used lysine? If the kittens are feral, that upper respiratory issue is likely due to kitty herpes. You can get lysine in pill form at your grocer or Walgreens with all the vitamins, and ground them up to put in their food, or get some already powdered in a canister from Chewy. My kitties have always had issues, so they get lysine every time the symptoms rise up. Takes the yuck away in 2-3 days.
August 7, 2019 @ 12:35 pm
I’m crying happy tears after reading about kittens.
I, too, like Yang and now I’m researching Alaska’s universal income.
Thank you for your commitment to a better world!!
August 7, 2019 @ 12:43 pm
The foster kittens are adorable. Thank you for taking such good care of them.
August 7, 2019 @ 1:15 pm
I’m sure you get asked this all the time, but why don’t you keep these two? You’ve put in so much work and they seem to love you? I don’t know how you do it. I would not be able to part with these two! Too adorable.
August 7, 2019 @ 1:34 pm
Love your kitten stories, glad they are both doing well. Not trying to start an argument but I must comment on your rich/poor views. Are you willing to downsize from your big Victorian house and the expensive appliances and antiques? You would be considered very rich by most poor people. If you give away the “rich” money, who is going to be doctors or companies that make things or investments which fuel our economy? And if everyone gets the same amount (socialism at its finest), why would anyone be willing to work? Maybe you should visit China or Russia before you proclaim its such a great idea?
August 7, 2019 @ 2:20 pm
Having a basic universal income is not the same as socialism. There are European countries that have successfully implemented this idea.
August 20, 2019 @ 9:01 pm
Why would anyone be willing to work? Maybe for the same reason some people rescue kittens?
August 7, 2019 @ 1:34 pm
Once you bring one back from the brink it’s very tempting to foster-fail. My little Tuxedo, Ophelia, almost died from some unknown neurological condition but miraculously recovered. After the sleepless nights and the terror of hearing continual bad prognosis from the vet, I had to keep her. I hope yours find the ideal home.
And I second Anne’s recommendation of Thomas Sowell.
August 7, 2019 @ 1:44 pm
Your devotion to kittens is heartwarming! I read the book “Maid” and was so depressed by it. I kept waiting for something good to happen to the author to no avail. I hated it.
August 7, 2019 @ 1:46 pm
I wish everyone could know the feeling of having a sick, frightened and unsocial frail little life that depends on you for everything and keeps you up at night, keeps the washing machine going constantly, keeps your hands raw from washing, fights to keeps meds out of its mouth, wears your eyesight down measuring the tiny doses of meds, wants to only eat his siblings food and not his full bowl in front of him, can’t quite feel well enough to use litter box properly, etc. and then one day – it all changes and he loves you, and he was to curl up with you and not run and hide from you or hiss at you and he purrs, out of nowhere he purrs and if you are really lucky he gives you his belly to rub and you know what you did mattered and you remember why you do this and it all makes sense. Love you….
August 7, 2019 @ 1:51 pm
You Can’t have open borders and more free stuff. Eventually you will run out of other people’s money.
August 7, 2019 @ 5:51 pm
Milton Friedman said it as well — you can’t have socialism AND open borders (I’m paraphrasing).
I EARN every penny I make. No one handed me anything and I’m tired of being told I have to justify what I have. The Constitution gurantees life, liberty and the PURSUIT of happiness — you’re free to work hard or sit back and live on what the government gives you. Personally, I prefer to make my own success.
Free education to anyone who chooses to take advantage of it, libraries full of books to help improve yourself, not to mention everything available online, but I see too many folks sitting around expecting a handout. Nope, not the system I want to supprt. And yes, there are those who need help and yes I agree they should be helped. But it’s EVERYONE’S responsibility to help those less fortunate, not just the “rich” (and by the way, I’ve never heard an actual definition of “rich” — it seems to mean anyone who has more than the person complaining). And does everyone know that the top earners in this country pay over half of all the income tax collected? Yup, look it up.
“TPC estimates that 69 percent of taxes collected for 2019 will come from those in the top quintile, or those earning an income above $157,900 annually. Within this group, the top one percent of income earners — those earning more than $783,300 in income per year — will contribute over a quarter of all federal revenues collected.”
Sorry, had to put in my 2 cents
Glad the kittens are doing well — you’re a real trooper for taking them on . . .
August 9, 2019 @ 9:35 am
Don’t apologize, logic needs no apology.
August 7, 2019 @ 1:54 pm
Oh, Victoria, please keep Tuxedo Boy, please. No more stress for him. He LOVES you! I know you can do it. You have such an amazing human being. Thank you for adding positive vibes to our world. We need them so. I am with you politically, too. 💕
August 7, 2019 @ 2:11 pm
I REALLY NEEDED this wholesome kitten content. That tuxedo baby is a heartbreaker in the best possible way. <3 Also, you speak my language when you say we will just waste the money on unicorn pool floats and car repairs. I am forever pissing away dollars on bills. Every month. Such a pain.
August 7, 2019 @ 2:40 pm
I would not favor a stipend from the Government,we are the government. We must return to manufacturing our own stuff,not only do we owe the Chinese fat cats huge sums of money but we further enrich them by forfeiting our entire manufacturing system to their slave/enforced labour. They can shut off access to every item in your local walmart/target etc. Think they wouldn’t do it? It is a power over us whether by threat or action. My Husband had a 27 year career as a research engineer at Bethlehem Steel – good pay, paid vacation health care-not insurance! OSHA for safe working conditions protection of our air and water-strict regs against dumping toxins into water or air. Everything he got the employees had because they had united together in a UNION !!!!! Only 1 in 4 Americans graduate from College. Factories had a job for every level of skill or intelligence-now its burger king – walmart, or for the entrepreneur- selling drugs. We were a proud Nation with fine products that sold around the world- now we are the dupes that gave it all away,left a gaping hole in our economic independence and sent all the money to a smaller and smaller group that are sick hoarders who can’t figure out where to spend it all so we have wrist watches that cost half a million dollars. I’m for Elizabeth Warren-she has a plan,shes tenacious as a tick on a dog on a tick. But I’d vote for your kitten over the present thing in our White House
August 8, 2019 @ 6:08 am
Too right Judy! I’m in the UK and you’ve just spelt out what has happened to us.