larger view larger view

My oldest boy came to my office yesterday to take me to lunch. This is a real treat; in the time I have worked here, I can count on one hand the times Alex has been here. But he had a couple hours to kill between his classes, so he took pity on poor old Mom and came to brighten my day. When he asked where we could go, I suggested Moo Creamery, which is directly across the parking lot from my office. "Great," he said, "I'm starving and I want a really big burger."

When we got there, I ordered my favorite salad, and Alex ordered a bacon double cheeseburger. The cashier told him that the bacon cheeseburger usually only came with one patty, but she would be happy to have the chef slap another patty on the grill for him. "Great," Alex told her, "and add a side of fries, too."

When our orders came out, we both nearly dropped our teeth. The chef/owner set a plate before Alex, in the center of which was the biggest burger we had ever seen. "Good Luck," she said as she walked away. As Alex contemplated the monster meal in front of him, the lady sitting at the next table leaned toward us. "I just want to see you try and bite into that," she said with a big grin. Alex not only bit into it; he finished that huge burger before I could finish my salad. I guess he was starving. The chef returned, and patted Alex on the back. "I'm impressed; I didn't think you could do it," she beamed, and then she put the untouched fries in a "doggy box" for us to take. As we sat there digesting, the lady at the next table spoke up again. "My son is coming home from college soon; I'm bringing him here to get one of those burgers."

"Great," Alex replied, with a quiet burp. "Just tell him he won't need the fries."

A week ago today, an injured kitten, about six months old, came to the back of our office with the ferals, looking for food. He was very friendly, and seemed to be looking for affection as well. Since he had not been there the day before, I assumed he had been dumped in the lot next to our building the night before; sadly, this happens quite often. But this kitty was different in two ways: one, he was fearless and affectionate, and two, his tail was badly injured. It looked as if it had literally been ripped in half, the fleshless bone jutting from an infected, open wound. But despite this grievously painful injury, this kitten showed no aggression, fear, or skittishness. I knew he would die if left with the feral colony, either from starvation or from the infected tail; I put him in a kitty carrier and took him home with me.

This is not the first time I have done this, nor will it be the last. I have been doing pet rescue for years, and I know that sometimes rescue means humane euthanasia. But I also know that some of my charges are very special, and this little boy is one of those. He will be a kitty who cheers his family when no one else can, who makes it wonderful to come home at the end of the day. He is a kitty with a lot of love to give; he deserves the chance to give it, and his potential family deserve the chance to receive it. And so I took him to my vet. It wasn't good news; Stash, as I had named him, alluding to his little brown fur mustache, needed the remainder of his tail amputated. He tested negative for FELV (feline leukemia, a debilitating, fatal feline disease) and except for his tail and a yukky case of fleas, he was in good health. The vet said he could do the surgery that day, and that he would neuter Stash at the same time. He said he would allow me to pay for the treatment in two installments, and I gave my consent.

I know that I am the one who takes this on, of my own free will, with no regrets. But this time, I am truly financially strapped, more so than usual, due to various unforseen problems. Stash's vet bill came to $475, half of which I paid the day I picked him up. But I am a loss as to where I am going to come up with the other half before September 17th, when it is due. And so, for the very first time ever, I am looking to my blog buddies. Do you have it in your heart to help me save this adorable kitten? He is so sweet, and absolutely beautiful, even though he only has an inch and a half of tail left; actually, his tiny tail adds to his personality! I am hoping my animal-loving blog friends will pitch in with donations to help pay Stash's vet bills. If you can do so, even if it is only a little, please contact me via email or message on the blog. I am attaching some photos of little Stash. He is six months old according to the vet, and will be a beautiful cat. And by all means, if you fall in love with him, you're welcome to adopt him. He will add untold love and joy to your home.