Cats are always welcome in my yard. Quite a few come by daily for free meals. Back in mid-June, a little runt showed up and took refuge. He was emaciated, dirty, and had a nasty wound on his neck.



He looked to be about 8 weeks old. His mother or litter-mates were nowhere to be seen. Hungry, injured, and alone, he was in dire need of help.

Tried as I might, he was weary of me and would not let me get close. There was a cold snap during that time in CA when night temperature dipped into the 40s. I put out a space heater and a box with towels, hoping he would take advantage of the warmth they provided.



He had his own idea though, and found a small cavity in my tool cabinet outside where he felt safe and slept there. All I could do was provide aid from a distance.

Each morning I would look for him, dreading what I might find. Each day, he would emerge from his cubbyhole and explored my yard.

Slowly I get closer to him with each feedings. During the second week, I took him by the scruff of his neck, hoping to put him in a carrier to bring him to a vet. As soon as I picked him up, he started clawing and biting me. He escaped and my hand was scratched up badly. I was upset, but also relieved in knowing that he is a fighter and has the will to survive.

The trust I had built up has been lost though, and I spent almost a month trying to earn it back.

In early August, I finally got him to allow me to touch him.



After getting him accustomed to being close to me, I was finally able to clean him up and examine his wound. By then, the injury had healed on its own, and fur had begun to grow back in that area.



After more than a month of recovery, he was healthy enough to play and even hunt.



He already has three confirmed kills. Geckos do not stand a chance in my yard.

I started allowing him into the house to get him ready for indoor living. He took an instant liking to my 12yr old Mocha.



The old boy though often gets annoyed by his youthful exuberance. A quick swipe of his paw would often put the young-ling in his place.

I moved him into the house over the long weekend. He is scheduled to be vaccinated and micro-chipped next week. He sneezes quite often and has discharges in his eyes. I will need to get him a check up with a vet.

I named him Chibi(ちび). It means "Tiny" in Japanese. From the way he's growing though, he wouldn't be tiny very long.

The little firecracker had come a long way. There were times I had doubts, but he kept proving me wrong.

Humanity likes this

Good luck, that is a cute kitteh.

Good on you Rawny!

My walk-in tux. She lived to 21 years.

Great stuff, Rawny! Chibi's in good hands.

You know that cats allow us to be in their presence. ...................... drill sgt.

Hat Tip Rawny!

Congrats and such a great story. We have a Sylvester cat and he has the sweetest personality. They are so good.
This post made my day. I hope you all have a long, happy. healthy life together.

You made my day with that story and the pics. Good on ya, brother.

Really nice story of recovery.

Great story. Thanks for caring for Chibi.

Thank you for taking care of him.

Thanks for the kind words. While I was caring for Chibi, Mocha had to be taken to the emergency room to get treated for pancreatitis. It was a tough week a month ago.

Now, they are both better and fighting living with each other.

Good on you. We have two adoptees in the house, and two more in the barn. They just find us here.

Every night we call the barn cats onto the screen porch, and give them shelter in the garage, with food and litter box. That way, they are safe from 'yotes.

A fine cat!

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
Good on you Rawny!

My walk-in tux. She lived to 21 years.

Pipe Smoker, you kitteh had very similar color pattern. I can imagine Chibi looking like that one day, from all the treats I will be heaping on him.

Mocha was about the same size when he was a kitten. He was not much bigger than my G29 he was using for a pillow.

Well done sir. I don’t even like cats and what you’ve done is still pretty awesome.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: slosig,