Bobby Little Bear Silverheels

by Marijo Phelps⁽¹⁰⁾

Our thirteen year old blue eyed baby had given up her fight with kidney failure in early December. She died peacefully at home (her story Monochrome Snow Day and Katy Going).

We had never had a Christmas kitten and from looking at my hubby’s determined face there wouldn’t be one under the tree this year either. “Three is enough."

He was referring to our remaining twelve paws, feline, of course, that roamed the house. Yes, they were trained to stay off any surface that might have food on it. The tables, stove, end tables and countertops were off limits. Hooney understands that perfectly so long as you are armed with a long range water squirter. I have often pondered the effect of one of those “intercontinental ballistic squirt guns" but have never actually tried something THAT big….

We were hiking and trying to find a place to go without snow. We’d driven about 60 miles in one direction and were headed back when Mick came up with a wonderful idea “how about going to lunch in the springs?" (which was another 60 miles past where we were – what’s 120 miles?)

“Sure, sounds great where were you thinking to go?" A girl doesn’t get a lunch date very often when the nearest “town" is 13 miles away and it doesn’t have a gas station or grocery store.

“La Casita." OK, let me explain. I go into town with him twice a month and each of those days we eat at La Casita. Yes, the food is fresh and good and I can actually find things there to keep me on my “point count" with Weight Watcher’s. Yes, it is quick but that’s where we always go.

“Hey, would there be any other restaurant you might like to go to?"

“Well, La Casita is right by the Humane Society…."

BING. BONG. BING…… B-O-N-G!!!! Did my hubby just say what I thought he said? Already I am seeing a darling kitten under the tree. OK we haven’t had a tree since we got the orange tabby, Hooney, and that was 10 Christmas’s ago. Well, one year we put one locked in the spare bedroom when we had company who couldn’t live without the tree….but I am thinking KITTEN.

“Oh, yes, La Casita sounds just wonderfully great! Are we there yet?"

Lunch was good and that gave us more time at the Humane Society than going across town to our second choice would have. They have had kittens for weeks. I window shop – every time I am in town.

No kittens.

“Hey we could stop at that no kill shelter in Divide….." hope gleaming in my eyes and I don’t think I was grabbing his arm but now it is difficult to remember – I might have.

“OK, tell me how to get there…"

We turn off and park. And waited a couple hours at the front desk (well, it was probably 2 ½ minutes but I had been window shopping there too and wanted to show him Chrissy.

“Oh, she found a home this week? Well, that’s good, I guess…."

“Honey look at this one." Mick pointed to a black kitten that I thought was about eight weeks old (he was really 4 months and small). He had short black hair on his face and front shoulders, legs and paws and the most huge silver ruff around his neck, just like a lion! And the back fur was long and silver over black. I had never seen anything like him.

I had been praying for just the right addition to the family. When you have 3 a 4 th can be fruit basket upset. I wanted a healthy kitten that would have the right personality to fit with our others. We understood that for a time after their shots they can test false positive to some of the diseases we’d be getting the kitty tested for – I always test before we bring a new one home.

I got the little sliver accented boy out of the cage – yep, he really was a “he".

We looked at all their kitties and were there with a family with 2 grade school aged kids who were just the best behaved – they picked 2 other kittens to have under their Christmas tree.

In going back to the front desk we started with the questions about testing.

“Well, that little guy you had riding on your shoulder just came in so he hasn’t had any shots yet – that wouldn’t interfere with his testing."

I hear a small voice to my right saying “is that the kitten you’d like?"

“YES"

We did the paperwork and were thankful for one who was so new that no shots had been given. Monday the shelter called a local vet and got “Silver" scheduled for testing and neutering the following day.

And we waited. Thinking the tests were done locally – they were sent on a plane to California and then to Denver (which might have clued us in to the eventual cost – yikes). Finally late Wednesday we got the results – he was clean and clear and we could pick him up Thursday!

I got there as soon as they opened their doors. He was given pain med (for the neutering) and kitten short and handed to “mama" with one more dose of pain med for the next day. I almost didn’t give him the pain med as he was doing so well but decided to follow instructions.

He had a terrible reaction. Couldn’t swallow and even had spittle coming out of his little mouth. I tried many remedies (kitten milk, broth, people baby food etc) to try to get some food and drink into this kitten.

Saturday AM we talked to a different vet, she said it was the pain med and he had a reaction to it.

After that we went through vomiting and diarrhea, lethargy and laying around totally wiped out. A trip to the vet – I thought we were getting something for the diarrhea (as in kaopectate which I know you can’t give to kittens but the veterinary brand) Got home – gave one dose and he choked and gagged. Looked it up online and it was for parasites – and thought to be cancer causing and it said not to give to kittens or puppies. Miscommunication?

And on it went. We almost lost this little guy twice. By this time we were calling him Bobby. He was the most affectionate and gentle kitten I ever had. Purring, butting nuzzling and never putting out his claws.

He finally settled down after a trip to yet another vet.

A month later we now have a little boy who is running and playing and the older kitties are finally realizing he is here to stay and rubbing on him and purring when he comes near instead of hissing and growling.

Bobby is knowing his name, comes when called, is using the scratching posts AND litter boxes – what more could we ask for?

(C) Marijo Phelps all rights reserved. Use with proper credits.

Article submitted Tuesday, January 19, 2010 & read 1994 times.

Marijo Phelps,saved by Jesus grace in 1974, from 9 years atheism into His loving arms. She is wanting to spread the good news about His redemptive plan for our lives through written media. Her name is pronounced Mary Jo. She was an RN for 23+ years, missionary with YWAM,statistical analyst for Every Home for Christ 9 years. Her first poem published when she was four years old. (her mom had much to do with that!) She has been writing ever since.

Her new blog can be found: http://myincrediblelord.blogspot.com

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» left by Lorrie Davids⁽⁶⁶³⁾ (2 years 16 days ago.)

Thanks for sharing Bobby's story, Marijo. And I can see Hooney's eyes opening wide just before a super sonic jet of water blasts her (him?) across the room. Cats always land on their feet, right? :-) I'm glad your "kids" are all healthy and happy. It is hard when our pets are sick. On a side note...we lived in Colo. Springs for 30 years and will be going back in July for a few days. I gotta ask...have you ever gone to Fargo's Pizza? YUM! It is on Platte Ave just east of Circle Drive. And BJ's Velvet Freeze...another Yum! While I love where we now live, just mentioning the Springs brings back those two vivid memories. Danny's cousin recently opened a frozen custard shop in Old CO City - of course we will try it while we are there. Gotta go...I'm getting hungry!

» left by Anonymous (2 years 16 days ago.)

We have never been to either of those places - we lived up north and in Monument too - Mick works a lot in the old north end and broadmoor area with remodels and new construction.

Holler when you are coming and maybe we can share some pizza (not that you will have an extra minute - I know how "vacations" can get!

Thanks for your encouragement!

Marijo

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