For the love of a cat named Nikita:A message for cat-savvy people (part 4 continued from the Lounge)
Perhaps you have seen the threads I have been posting the last few weeks about a cat who adopted me. I have always owned dogs, and when I opened my door one day and found this beautiful little cat meowing at me, I in my naivety did not know what she wanted from me. "She wants food, but if you feed her, you will have a cat," my neighbors said. I looked back at her earnest face and emaciated body and asked of my neighbors, "What is the alternative?" I promptly left and went to the store to buy some cat food. And that was the start of a very, long arduous journey which is culminating with this thread today and the ensuing two to three weeks.
Here are the threads if you wish to review them, and here is a picture of the beautiful cat who I have named Nikita who climbed the steps to my doorway that day.
Thread 3 at http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018434376
Thread 2 at http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018337627
Thread 1 at http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018319954
If you have had the opportunity to follow her story, you know one of the enduring questions that arose as the story progressed was this: was she pregnant. In the meantime, some of my neighbors became upset that now a cat was hanging around in the neighborhood and upsetting the applecart. I persisted in my determination to help this cat with whom I developed a deep bond. I did a lot of research, and asked that DU'ers who had a lot of information and advice to answer my questions along the way. The overwhelming amount of support I received from our community of cat-savvy people is truly impressive. They donated their time and helped me progress in my journey with Nikita to a very positive end.
But then one day, Nikita left. I was devastated. I did not see her for 2 days. When she finally returned, I was shocked by her appearance. She had dropped an incredible amount of weight suddenly. So I knew she must have had a litter. People told me that cats often hide their litter for protection from predators and the elements. You can read what happened next in either Thread 2 or 3.
But I recently took the advice of what DU'ers pushed me to do, I had Nikita spayed, given all her shots, tested for HIV, ears cleaned, nails clipped. This was done at hospital in Laurel, Maryland. Today, Nikita is thriving and for the first time in her life has a name, an address, a permanent home, a human being that loves her and tons of DU'ers who have followed her story. She also has 5 kittens:
May I introduce from left to right:
Monet (so beautiful, white with patches of color so brilliant one thinks of a painting by Monet); my very first impression of her was the stunning look she carries seems simply to give her the appearance of a truly beautiful work of art;
Dane (front and center) gray with lighter thin gray stripes and beautiful blue eyes;
Sunny (behind Dane) so golden, so beautiful she lights up the space;
Elise (named from the enchanting Beethoven piece) because she too is enchanting, colored similarly to Monet, and she is "kissing"
Bo (to the right) strikingly black with a white stripe down his nose and white paws with some white also on the stomach area.
I call them collectively Nikita's kids.
Today I start a fund-raising appeal to ask those who have the ability and willingness to do so to help me get the same treatment for each of Nikita's kids that I was able to get for Nikita herself. This will not only be a great thing for their health, but it will further the adoption process. I had an opportunity to put these kittens in a colony, but I chose to keep them. I wanted to find them wonderful homes. So I should mention here if you have a place in your heart and your home to love one of Nikita's kittens, if you are anywhere near the DC metro area, I would love to hear from you.
Our own Animal Control facility is stacked to the hilt and cannot take in any more animals. But I wanted to take the responsibility for Nikita's kids in finding good homes for them.
I have already received some offers from a few DU'ers to help. My estimate was that I would need to raise $325 for the 5 kittens. That is based on the fact that Nikita's cost $65.00. I have been discussing this matter with SPAY NOW, an Animal Surgery Clinic in Laurel, Maryland. Here are the figures they quoted me:
Feral females cost $60 for exam, spay, FVRCP (distemper), rabies, deworming, and ear clean
Feral males cost $50 for exam, neuter, FVRCP (distemper), rabies, deworming, and ear clean
Tame females cost $65 for exam, spay, FVRCP (distemper), rabies, deworming, nail trim, and ear clean
Tame males cost $55 for exam, spay, FVRCP (distemper), rabies, deworming, nail trim, and ear clean
I want to take them all at the same time, so today I am officially asking if you are reading this thread and are willing to make a contribution, no matter how small, please respond to this thread or send me a private message. Because the rates are different for males and females, I am not sure what the final total will be. But I will keep everyone informed as to how much is collected and what the final bill will be.
There will be 3 ways to donate, so you can private message me with questions. The way I am hoping most choose is to call the clinic, give them a credit card number and make the donation that way. One person has suggested I set up a PayPal account. I can see the appeal in that, but I do remember there are fees assessed and I would like to funnel every penny to the treatment instead of the payment mechanism. However, if enough people want this, I will pursue it. The third way is simply to send me a check. I would be thrilled with even $5.00. You can private message me and I will give you my name and address.
So keeping just as a working number the $325 I started with, I would like to let you know I have a pledge of $100 from a very generous DU'er who has followed Nikita's story who wants to help her kids. This means I only need to raise $225.00. I also have a couple of people who said they will donate, but left the amount hanging.
So I apologize for the length of this thread. I know some of you do not get down to the Lounge often and may not have been following this saga. But if you have it in your heart and can afford to make a donation for Nikita's kids, please let me know. As this effort continues, I will keep people informed of how we are progressing. I will also post updated pictures of the kids as I can capture decent shots. I leave you with these snaps of Bo for now.
This is Bo playing his favorite spot. Looks like a cage, but it is not, just a wire plant stand I had that he found and immediately staked a claim on. Stay tuned for more pictures and updates, and please help if you can.
Here Bo is sitting on his security blanket -- what else but a Mickey Mouse towel!
Thanks for reading.
Sam
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Last edited Thu Jul 25, 2013, 03:57 PM - Edit history (1)
Is coming in the mail in the form of a money order, amount not specified. We are on our way!!
Please help keep this thread kicked. More info will follow. And many thanks to kind DU'er #1, you know who you are.
Sam
Edited to add: DU #1 is sending us $60! She has also posted some great tips in an email in response to a question I asked her. I wanted to put it on this thread, the info, because I keep all these threads for reference purposes. Hopefully, we will be able to do this.
A generous DU'er from Georgia has called the clinic and donated $50. I cannot thank him enough. 
Sam
A check is coming in the mail to me for $5.00. I thank DU'er #3 for helping Nikita's kids get the treatment they need. If 13 Du'ers contributed $5.00, that would be enough to totally take care of one of her kittens. Times are tough, but this kind DU'er dug a little deep in his or her pockets and is helping in this effort. Kudos DU'er #3.
Sam
Dane is beautiful. Gray with darker gray stripes and beautiful blue eyes, loving, playful and a delight to have around.
Sam
Another $5.00 donation coming my way via snail mail. Hurrah!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Sam
A contribution of $15.00 is coming via snail mail my way. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I will also keep posting pictures of the kittens as I can.
Sam
Last edited Thu Jul 25, 2013, 03:26 PM - Edit history (1)
You are so wonderful. I have to go back and eyeball the thread, but I believe this contribution takes us down to about $100.00 less the amount in the unspecified donation mentioned above. We are on our way home, thanks to the kind-hearted people who care about Nikita's kids. Thank you so much.
Please help kick the thread bumped so people throughout the day will see it.
Best regards,
Sam
Edited to add, DU #6 went ahead and deposited $50 to the account at Spay Now.
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I will try to get a better photo, but she is extremely beautiful.
Sam
If that is accurate, I will have Monet double-check his figures, we are only about $40.00 from our goal.
Amazing, DU. Nikita's kids thank you.
With love,
Sam
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She and Elise look like a matched set, except Monet is a little bit larger, and a little bit more shy.
Sam
This DU'er will call the clinic and our account will be credited. With this contribution, we should have about $215.00 there on account. The rest is coming in the mail. When all the checks are received, I will deposit them to my account, and put that amount on credit with Spay Now.
I believe at this point we are $15.00 shy. We are going to make it.
DU #8 has a wonderfully big heart and has made a huge contribution so much to this entire effort. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
At this time, please send good vibs to DU #8 whose pet is seriously ill at this time.
Sam
Nikita isn't much more than a baby herself and she's very dainty. As for the kittens, at first I was positive if I were to get one it would be Bo, then after looking at the pictures a while longer I thought "well it would definitely be Bo or Dane." Then I noticed how pretty Elise is and I've come to the conclusion I'm glad I don't really have to pick one because each and every one of them has something about them that absolutely melts my heart.
Give Cheyenne and Nikita a little time, they may even become best friends. One of my sisters has a boxer that adores her cranky old cat and although it hurts the cat's tough guy image a little bit, he likes to cuddle up with the dog to sleep. 
It really stinks that you've had to battle your neighbors like that. I can understand if they aren't big animal lovers (well actually that's a lie, I can't imagine not loving animals) or if they just aren't in a position to take in Nikita themselves but why would they interfere with your efforts to rescue her.
Ugh, my little nutcase rescue is starting to look for ways to get into trouble and I think that's her way of telling me it's time for bed. Please keep the pictures coming, I'll keep my fingers crossed that some day soon there will be a picture of Cheyenne and Nikita curled up together napping.
