Hello Dolly! – Another rescue and rehome story

‘Tis the season for rescue and rehoming?

I was having lunch at my usual food court after class today when I saw three students bullying a heavily pregnant cat. They were letting her smell something and then throwing it away from her. In other words, tricking her into thinking it’s food (it is probably some food as they took the stuff from their plates) and then throwing it far away. As we all know, cats normally don’t go chasing after the food scraps if “offered” this way.

But the poor pregnant cat was probably hungry, so she tried to go after the scraps, but failed to find them.

I thought it was rather unkind, so I got some chicken (and the chap-fan man even gave me a fried fishhead – he is a very kind man) and went over to the boys’ table. I squatted down and offered the food to the cat. I was hoping this act would leave an impression on the boys. No need for harsh exchange of words, I figured. Just do the right thing – if they get it, they will; if not, never mind – It’s not time yet for the lesson to be learnt.

I don’t think they got the lesson as they were still laughing over it.

Then the chap-fan man came over and asked if I could take over the cat. “She’s pregnant, you see, poor thing. It’s raining heavily these days, she will probably give birth and the kittens may be washed away in the drain.”

I know…

The chap-fan man even offered for me to return the cat to the food court after she has delivered if I cannot adopt her, but please, please, please could you just take her so that she has a place to deliver her babies safely? It’s the rainy season now.

The man has a heart of gold…

But I already have 14 cats. I cannot introduce another cat into Bunny’s Place, and it won’t be fair to bring in a new cat to the patio and let her be a community cat. My neighbours will surely complain. With all rescues, if we cannot rehome, we will have to adopt.

The chap-fan man said, “So you already have 14, what’s taking in another one more? Please…she’s pregnant. She doesn’t have a safe place to give birth.”

I know that, sir. Let me think of a way…

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So while the pregnant cat was happily devouring the fried fishhead, I texted my cat-loving friend. I told her exactly what was happening to the cat so would she like to take over this cat (and the cat is heavily pregnant).

My friend said, “Yes, of course, and please give those boys a word or two!”

YES!

Now, how was I going to get this cat across that busy road, through the college grounds, into the parking lot and into my car?

That’s no easy feat at all. She’s bound to be scared once taken away from the food court and she is likely to bite me and kick off me. That would be a nightmare as that road has heavy traffic.

I had no carrier with me too.

Pray…still your heart and mind, and okay, let’s go….I’m going to get her safely to my car, please….

So I patted her (she’s friendly) and after she had finished eating, I scooped her up, patted her some more and walked out of the food court towards the road.

I walked fast.

First hurdle: We crossed the busy road. The cat struggled, but I held the scruff of her neck firmly.

Now, we were in the college grounds.

Fast-paced….walk.

We were now approaching the parking lot and the cat was struggling!

I whispered comforting words to her. “We’re almost there, you’ll be safe, don’t worry, please…”

As I approached my car, I saw a colleague and asked if she could help me take my car keys out of my pocket and open my car door for me. I needed both hands to hold on to the cat. The colleague obliged (thank goodness for good help!).

Car door opened, in went the cat, car door shut.

PHEW!! We made it!!

Cat safely inside car now.

Now, I had to get into the car without the cat escaping.

Cat seemed calm enough, so I got in as quickly as I could.

YES, done!!

I sat to calm my nerves for awhile…

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Cat came onto my dashboard and was a little afraid.

I told her not to worry as I’ll be taking her to a safe place.

I figured I’d have to drive slowly and very carefully as she might be crawling all over the car. But the cat was most cooperative. After we had turned into the slip road on the way home, she went to the back and sat quietly on the floor mat. She was so quiet, I actually had to stop the car to check that she was still alright!

She was.

So we got home and all the PatioCats came to look…

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I offered her some tuna with salmon (canned), but she didn’t want any. She didn’t want any kibbles either.

Daffodil came to say hello.

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Of course she tried to scale the cage to escape.

Which self-respecting cat wouldn’t?

I had rung Connie to ask if she would be free to take us to the adopter’s house and Connie said she would come over at 3pm. It was then 1pm.

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I wanted to minimise her stress, especially since she is heavily pregnant, so I covered the cage with a big towel and let her be. I know she is not hungry as she had already eaten that fishhead at the food court and I’d leave the food and water in the cage for her.

She soon settled herself in the litter box and rested.

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Sweet, sweet Ginger wanted to keep her company.

By then, I’d decided her name shall be “Dolly”, reminiscent of the main character in “Hello Dolly!”, the much celebrated and delightful Dolly Levi Vandergelder played by Barbra Streisand.

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Hello Dolly!

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It was almost 3pm already, and Dolly still hadn’t touched the food.

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Aww…good boy, Ginger!

Soon it was 3pm.

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Okay, Dolly, let’s go to your forever home now!

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Connie arrived. I put Dolly into the carrier, Connie secured carrier with the seatbelt and with two boxes of Monge loaded, we started on our journey to Dolly’s forever home.

Dolly was very quiet in the car throughout the long journey.

We reached our destination and my friend’s husband welcomed us warmly. As their experienced helper settled Dolly into their quarantine section (for new cats), my friend’s husband showed us a few big fishes in their pond – they had rescued these fishes from restaurants (so that the fishes will not be killed and eaten).

Such kindness…. I’m so touched and humbled.

My friend had earlier texted me when I thanked her for taking in Dolly:

Rescuing pregnant cats is very satisfying for me,  bcoz this will prevent strays and to prevent the kittens from suffering of being born out there with many challenges.

I am indeed extremely fortunate to have such kind-hearted friends.

Very, very fortunate indeed.

And Dolly is also extremely fortunate. I also told my friend that Dolly does not seem to know how to eat kibbles or canned food because she is used to eating scraps at the food court. Well, this was her reply:

From now on, Dolly will only eat delicious food.

The world is full of kind-hearted people and I am truly thankful that I have the opportunity to meet them.

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 Ginger checking the cage after Dolly had left.

Don’t worry, Ginger, Dolly is in a very safe place, a loving home.

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Three rescues in two days and all rehomed to loving homes.

Somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good…

Thank you very much, all who have helped.

Here’s to Dolly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIEDN1rehD4

We await news of the safe delivery of your babies!

On hindsight, think of how many people were involved in this rescue: First, I had to be in the right place at the right time to have met Dolly. The three bully-boys attracted my attention to Dolly, else, I would not have felt the need to rescue her. The chap-fan man pleaded for Dolly. My kind-hearted friend agreed to take Dolly (the most important factor). Connie was free to fetch me (else, I would definitely get lost in KL). So, we see how everyone helped, whether in a good or not so good way! And this goes to show that there is a reason for everything to happen exactly as it happens. Embrace them all…


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3 responses to “Hello Dolly! – Another rescue and rehome story”

  1. Wong Yoke Mei

    Thank you kind-hearted friend….so much compassion these 2 days. Dr Chan, if you need any help with transportation in the future I can offer my assistance. Not much, that the least that I am capable off lah… 🙂

    1. chankahyein

      Thanks, Yoke Mei!

  2. jasmine ong

    Everything happens for a reason and I’m so glad you shared this wonderful story with us. Your rescue is touching yet exciting! My tears fell when I read this story. I never knew that such kind-hearted and noble people like your friend still exist in society. Imagine building such a lovely cat haven for the abandoned furry ones! And also a pond for rescued fishes from restaurants!

    Bless your good heart always kind-hearted adopter, Dr Chan and Connie. All of you truly wonderful people are connected for a higher reason! _(♡)_

    P/S As always, your stories and blog posts are always a pleasure to read! ♡