As some of you know, I take care of stray animals. I feed the feral ones outside and when I can I catch them and bring them to the vet, get their shots, have them spay or neutered and then try to find homes for them. The ones I can't place just end up living with me.

Well a few weeks ago this female shows up around the house. I had just had my knee operated on and couldn't really do much but put food out for them. When I would put the food out she would grab the whole dish and run away with it as alot of them do because they are so scared of people. You could tell she hadn't had a good meal in awhile she was pretty tiny and you could see the bones on her back. Finally after a bit she got to the point where she would hang out while I was outside but at a distance.
About 2 weeks ago she let me touch her and finally I was able to bring her inside into our transition room.

The transition room is down stairs and it is where I keep the strays until they have been vet checked and can be introduced to the other animals. If they are sick it serves as the quiet room. I have furniture and a TV to keep them company and I go down various times during the day to feed them and play with them to get them accustomed to people.

Anyways due to time and circumstances beyond my control I had not had a chance to get this one to the vet yet. I went down to feed her and spend sometime with her. Normally she eats then wants to be petted her and I watch TV for a bit then I go back upstairs. Well this morning when I went to feed her she would smack me in the ankle (not with her claws) and run meowing behind the futon. Then peek out and if I didn't come she would come smack me again run and peek. Finally I decided maybe I should pay attention and follow her. When I did behind the futon I found one lonely kitten. She must have been pregnant and because she was so skinny before I didn't notice and just thought she was gaining normal weight.

The coolest thing was when she actually showed me her baby. Like you helped me and I am so proud to show you what I did. She would purr and look at her baby then take her head and butt it against me. As if to say thank you.

It was such a sweet gesture from a animal who has had such a rough life and I am hoping that I can place her and her baby in a truely good home she is such a sweet girl. If not her and her baby will live with me and my other cats.

I just thought I would share.

Aww that is so sweet.

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~~~~**Maryann**~~~~

I just got a firm grip on reality....
Now I can strangle it

Here is another Thank You! Thank you for being such a wonderful animal lover and doing what you do! Good luck with the new baby!

Such a sweet, sweet story. Thank you for sharing and thank you for looking out for the abandoned cats in your neighborhood.

Aww! That is so incredibly sweet! That is really awesome that you do this for animals. My 9yo daughter is an animal lover and talks about becoming a vet and having a farm where she can take in animals and help them. I will have to share your story with her.

peapie

Thanks for sharing. And for caring.

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Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass
It's about learning to dance in the rain.

awwww - that is so endearing.

I needed to hear a sweet story today. Thanks for sharing.

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Dang. I wish you lived closer to me so I could donate cat food and treats to you! My cat is on uninary tract food, so I can't give her all the free stuff. I take it to the humane society and a cat rescue place, so it's going to good use....but I'd gladly share with you if you lived closer to me!

Thanks from me for all you do. That must've been the highlight of your day...maybe even your year!

Great job Keowa. Just a thought- it is really unusual even in an undefed feral/stray to have a litter of one. I would search high and low for signs of others and keep an eye on her for signs of a troubled or incomplete labor.

What a wonderful pet-lover you are! I to, wish I could helpyou...My kitty is a feral, so this story really touches me. Good luck on the cats!

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"How you sparkle. How you shine. How you rise above the sky." ~Rubyhorse~

I have looked all over that room and there is nothing. I have been under the futon and around the entertainment center with a flash light. I have put in a call to the vet and they told me to watch her close and check for fever or signs of distress. So far no fever and no signs of distress. She is eating, drinking and loving the attention from me. I was worried too about the single birth. They said she could have gulp had a still born and ate it. yuck!

They also had me search the litter box as sometimes when the mother goes into labor she will have one in there. Nothing that didn't belong in there was there whew.

Yes, if there were others (born dead) she probably ate them. As gross as that is, that's what they do.
When I was growing up, I saw my dog do that a couple of times.

With all the mean stuff we hear about, it is heartwarming to know there are wondeful people like you out there!!! I love animals, and have way too many, but who else is going to take care of them, you know how it is. That was so sweet! You will be blessed! Isn't that sweet how she was proud, and wanted to share with you?

That is such a sweet story.
I have a cat who has had only one kitten.the worst part of that is whenever she left the baby,it screemed while she was gone,because she had no ohters to snuggle to.This same cat has also had a baby almost 24 hours after the last one born.

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People that hate cats will come back as mice in their next life. - Faith Resnick

What a very touching story. We need more people like you. Keep up the good work.