Hitchhiker seeks Loving Family

I picked up a hitchhiker today.  What else could I do?  She was starving, dirty and lost.  She also fits in my hand and is covered in brown and black striped fur.

I was driving home from my day job, exiting the amazing amount of road construction in Marion.  I noticed something on the shoulder of the road, and it was so small that at first I thought it was just a piece of trash.  Then I noticed the piece of trash had four legs and a tail. 

By the time I realized that the thing on the side of the road was a kitten, I had gone too far past it.  I turned around at the next light, hoping I could get back in the westbound lanes before it was too late.  As I maneuvered my car through traffic, I knew I simply could not have another cat.  I also knew I simply could not leave it there on the highway, to combat four lanes of traffic all by itself.

I’m sure the drivers behind me were not pleased that I was going about five miles under the speed limit, searching hopefully for the kitten.  When I passed it this time, it was barely visible against the weeds on the side of the road. 

As soon as I got out of the car, I could hear it meowing pitifully.  It took a few steps toward me, and had absolutely no problem being picked up.  I looked around for more kittens or a mother, but found nothing.

The drive home was interesting.  Forty minutes in speeding traffic with a rambunctious kitten in the car does not a pleasant ride make.  On my lap, on my shoulder, on the passenger seat, exploring the console, and even sinking its little claws onto my Broncos steering wheel cover and trying to do the driving for me.

My boyfriend and I are big fans of rescuing animals. Three out of our four current pets were rescues.  Porkchop, a pug and beagle mix that had been left at a foreclosed home, is absolutely in love with our little foster kitten!  He stood guard next to her cardboard box for at least an hour after I brought her home, cocking his ears to all her little noises.  Elwood, my most recent cat rescue and up until now the baby of the household, is terrified of this little creature that is about an eighth his size.  He has spent a good deal of the evening in my lap, assuring himself that he is still loved just as much.

This poor little kitten (whom we believe to be a girl) can’t be more than six weeks old.  I am at capacity with my pets, so I would really like to find this baby a “furever” home.  Please contact me if you are interested.  And, as Bob Barker would say, please have your pet spayed or neutered.  There are enough homeless babies out there.