Bridey

Bridey is a one t wo year old medium haired tabby. She was very thin and outdoors in February 2008. The area where she was found is a dangerous area for cats. The people in the area do not like having stray cats about and do not feed or take them in, There is much traffic and many predators. The thin, miserable little cat was first seen huddled against a wall trying to shelter herself from a biting winter wind. When approached by a compassionate lade, the terrified creature ran away; but shortly there after appeared on the lady's porch. She must have followed her home. She clearly had no place to go and had responded to the kind voice of the lady. The lady could not take the cat indoors because she was going to be admitted to the hospital for several months. However, she , but did not chase the miserable little creature away when it sought shelter under the porch. She fed the ravenous animal and called Called cat Rescue Network. When we agreed to take the cat in, the lady coaxed her indoors with food. Once in the warmth, the little cat began to purr and brush up against her rescuer. She was clearly happy to be indoors. There was a terrible storm that night and the cat would most likely have frozen to death if left outdoors. The lady went to the hospital the next day but arranged for her son to drive the cat to our foster home. There she was given a room to herself, a warm bed, plenty of food and water, and a nice window where she could watch the many winter storms from her safe place. Bridey was severly matted, grundgy, very emaciated and pregnant. Eight days later, on March 2/08 she gave birth to 6 kittens; Patrick, Ronin, Shaugnessy,Rosie, Molly, Katie. Bridey was fed good quality kitten food, and kitten milk, so she was able to nurse her kittens in spite of her severely emaciated state. She was also dewormed and treated fir ear mites. She was a very attentive, protectve mother and her kittens thrived. Bridey never tried to leave the room. She had seen the world outside of her safe haven and had no inclination to return to its biting cold, starvation and hostility. She is a gentle, cat and soon trusted and became very attached to her caregiver. The door of Bridey's room is often left open, and once in a while she will venture forth; only to run back into her safe room a few minutes later. We can only image what has caused her to be so fearful; but , for now, she feels safe and content in her room. The kittens were given lots of toys to play with, and the foster mother soon learned that Bridey also loved to play. She will chase the balls, jump and roll about, just like her kittens. She is a very happy cat. When her kittens were 8 weeks old, Bridey was spayed and vaccinated. She was also shaved because her long hair was so matted she could not be groomed. Her weight, after 9 weeks of good nutrition, was only 5 pounds. She now looks like a miniature lion. Bridey is now ready to go to a permanent home. Hopefully someone is prepared to open his/her heart to this gorgeous, sweet cat. Bridey has been adopted by her foster mother. She has had the run of the home for a long tme but still prefers her 'safe' room, and the window where she can look out at the bad weather and know that she will always be safe and ward inside.