One Year Ago Today . . .

indianasmith · June 23, 2015, 10:55:33 PM

I was coming home from a meeting in Dallas with a paleontologist friend of mine when I spotted a tiny ball of yellow fur lying in the middle of the Interstate service road. I thought it was a Beanie Baby until it moved. I pulled over and got out of my car and found a tiny kitten, bleeding from the nose, mouth, and ears; too weak to move. I thought he was dying and carried him off the road to a soft clump of grass, planning to leave him there. But as I walked away, he raised his head and meowed at me, and my heart melted. I brought him home, still doubting he would make it through the night. For the first couple of days, he was too weak to even climb out of a shoe box. But then he suddenly decided to live, and began padding through the house, exploring and annoying our bigger cat.

Now he is a strong, healthy, beautiful tom. We named him "Fortuna", which means "Lucky." More often, however, we just call him "Tuna Cat." And yes, I probably put his picture on here way too often. But he is my Tuna and I wuv him!

Happy birthday, boy!

lester1/2jr · June 24, 2015, 12:30:45 AM

yay!

Josso · June 24, 2015, 02:37:56 AM

I sometimes wish this could happen to me, it's the only way I would be allowed to have another cat

Trevor · June 24, 2015, 03:45:23 AM

Quote from: indianasmith on June 23, 2015, 10:55:33 PM

Happy birthday, boy!

I love this pic: "Enough with the flash already!"

Jack · June 24, 2015, 06:04:08 AM

Beautiful story Indy and you're one awesome guy! Our furry friends need a little help from us humans sometimes

He's grown up to be one beautiful boy.

Flangepart · June 24, 2015, 08:07:40 AM

But keep him away from B.E.E.R. You know what that can lead to!

sprite75 · June 30, 2015, 10:07:56 PM

Quote from: indianasmith on June 23, 2015, 10:55:33 PM
I was coming home from a meeting in Dallas with a paleontologist friend of mine when I spotted a tiny ball of yellow fur lying in the middle of the Interstate service road. I thought it was a Beanie Baby until it moved. I pulled over and got out of my car and found a tiny kitten, bleeding from the nose, mouth, and ears; too weak to move. I thought he was dying and carried him off the road to a soft clump of grass, planning to leave him there. But as I walked away, he raised his head and meowed at me, and my heart melted. I brought him home, still doubting he would make it through the night. For the first couple of days, he was too weak to even climb out of a shoe box. But then he suddenly decided to live, and began padding through the house, exploring and annoying our bigger cat.

Now he is a strong, healthy, beautiful tom. We named him "Fortuna", which means "Lucky." More often, however, we just call him "Tuna Cat." And yes, I probably put his picture on here way too often. But he is my Tuna and I wuv him!

Happy birthday, boy!

Happy belated birthday to your fur kiddo!

My feline niece TK was in a somewhat similar situation. She had been found alone in a storage shed by my future sister in law, meowing away. No sign then of the mother or any siblings (although the mother cat's remains were found later). She brought TK in and took care of her but wasn't planning to keep her. She asked her friends if anyone wanted a kitten but no one did. My future sister in law wound up keeping TK and she's grown into the loveable brat that she is today.

Based on TK's vet estimated age when she was found (about 3 weeks) we declared June 1 to be her birthday on the photo calendar we get Mom every year.

indianasmith · June 30, 2015, 10:09:44 PM

I just read that and reached over to pet Fortuna, who is sitting in the chair beside me.