Dear Cuddles

It’s hard to believe we’ve only been together for 2 ½ months. Your life certainly changes dramatically, and without warning. Only 17 months ago you had a loving home. We know this because of how tame you are. Then came the hurricanes and the flooding.

You were homeless for 16 months. You drank from puddles, the canals, ate whatever vermin and rotten food you could find, and had to hide from the never-ending threat of the dogs hunting you. You survived times of drought and starvation. No one to feed you, prevent the earmites and fleas you couldn’t rid from your body, or give you the love you deserve.

I never expected to find you. I was trying to trap Tidbit Jr. when you crawled into my trap. Was it the first time in 14 months you ate cat food? You were living in La Provence apartments, anywhere you’d like, because every apartment is open and abandoned. There were no people for miles. The first demo crew was there to survey on the day I found you. Where would you have gone? Would you have survived when the buildings came tumbling down?

I burst into tears when you meowed at me, because it meant you were tame. I raced you to the vet where we had you “fixed”, vaccinated, and treated for fleas and earmites. I made a cage for you and you happily rolled over in the pink princess bed to have your tummy rubbed.

All the volunteers love you. They pick you up and you put each front paw on their shoulders and give them hugs. I think you know your life has changed for the better.

I brought you home this weekend, and you fit right in like you were always here. You found the memory foam pillow that all the cats love, and you climbed to the top of the cat house. You snuggled up in bed with me, and pawed me to let me know you’re happy. I rub my face in your tummy as you put your paws on my cheeks, as if thanking me for your new life. You are MOST welcome!!!

Yes sir, you’re my baby!!

Tears

To you out there, who were too lazy to "fix" your cat, who thought "it's natural" for her to give birth, who spend $5/day on cigarettes and Starbucks but claim you can't afford to "fix" your pet, my tears belong to you.

Because in the last 2 days we have lost 2 kittens, and a 3rd is gasping for breath. They are the result of an owner who didn't fix their cat, and then dumped the whole family at a shelter.

You claim that it's "your right" to not fix them. But it was I who held Gamma as he died. It is I who watched Kaatje suffer, and it was I who saw Sally's last breaths. And believe me, they suffered. Their organ systems shut down, one by one. Their bodies heaved as we pumped them full of drugs and fluids. They shuddered with each breath, their 1.5 lb bodies heaving. They tried, and we tried.

It should have been you to watch their misery, you who let them be born. Our sleepless nights should have been your sleepless nights. Our tears should have been your tears. You caused more sadness and suffering than you know. Not just to the kittens and the volunteers who stepped up and took responsibility, but to the adoptors who had already promised these infants a life full of love and affection. You permitted them life, and by doing so assured their death. Because make no mistake, this is your fault. I blame you for this. You should have known better. You should have cared. But most of all: If you couldn't be a responsible pet owner, you should not have been allowed to be one!!

Donations in memory of Sally, Gamma, and possibly Kaatje who may only be with us a few more hours can be sent to: Jandy's Home, P.O. Box 68045, Grand Rapids, MI 49516. Donations will be used for the spaying of female cats so we can PREVENT situations like this!!