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Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Twinkle, twinkle little Star. When you go out tonight look for the brightest light in the sky. That will be little Star.


I sell on an ecommerce site. We are a fairly tight knit community of sellers many of whom are one step beyond furbaby lovers. We constantly post about love of furkids, share information and just plain try to help each outside the realm of day to day ecommerce activities.


Last night I was contacted and asked if I could help someone with a kitten they had found. Many others had already jumped in and made many suggestions as the "finder" (and I use that term loosely) was concerned about the kittens health as there were "white things sticking to the fur". By the end of the night we guessed it may be blowfly eggs on the fur and beneath the skin. At all times, I kept in contact with the "finder" who appeared to be germ phobic and obviously not a furbaby person. We tried our damnedest to tread carefully so as not to offend her but yet save this young baby.


The baby was placed in a box out near a barn..alone all night. It's eyes were sealed yet could walk. I can only imagine the pain and grief this little one felt crying for someone to care for him/her. No food, no water, no comfort because someone was too terrified of "white stuff".


I belong to a VERY special group of rescue people. I am so proud to call them my friends. Nothing stops them, nothing. They work their regular jobs and do rescue on top of that. Think of the hours involved. I've watched as they laughed in joy at the conquests of saving one cat. I've wept with them as they lost one baby after another yet they do not stop. You really have to know them to realize the work they do, day in and day out. They save the cats that are to be euthanized in the morning, staying up all night trying to figure out how they can squeeze in just one more kitty. How they work together like a finely tuned engine, no one skips a beat. How they immediately stop everything at a drop of a hat to save a cat or kitten. How they spend literally their entire paychecks on this work. Their reward is the happy little purr and smooshing of happy feet from their wards and the knowledge that this small wee being is going to eventually live in a home where they will never know hunger, fear, cold, or being unloved.

Back to last night. When it became obvious that the "finder" would not do a thing to help this kitten, many of us ran for our FaceBook friends in the business. I contacted my group. In no time flat they were organizing a rescue. Let me explain that this meant they dropped what they were doing, stopped their dinner, their families, and their nightly chores of cat care for so many just help one little Star.


It was a battle to communicate with the finder as she was too worried about how she would look to her children, her fear that the police would be contacted, totally irrational fears of disease. Yet she was HAPPY that her children were able to find a kitten.


One of my rescue friends was willing to drive 2 hours each way to go pick up the kitten if it was still alive. "Finder" had signed off and out for the night to put her kids to bed. Didn't care that people were working their asses off for most of the night. Didn't bother to check on the kitten, alone in the dark and hungry. I finally went to bed around 4am resigned that Star would be in heaven.


Today around noon, I find out the kitten is still alive and "would I get someone out there right away so she didn't look so bad in front of her kids". Again the rescues go full speed ahead to get someone there as fast as they can. Did I mention that "finder" was offered money to cover vet costs if she would only take the kitten in? Did I mention that this group of unbelievable people were willing to cover and fund raise to cover all vetting costs out of their own pocket, to spend their hard earned dollars on the gas expenses, taking the time off of work without pay, that they bartered with yet another rescue within an hours drive time to get the baby picked up sooner. Did I mention that if the baby had survived it already had a home?


I sit here crying my eyes out at their supreme efforts to save Star from a woman who claims to be so worried about her children. So worried that she pointedly stated that this was not her responsibility (wait didn't she ask for help initially?). 3 of us called her. She was begged to please go give the kitten something to eat. She shoved a can of tuna at the kitten (my interpretation). Her response was that she was grossed out because the "white things" hatched into worms and were eating the kitten, that she wished they'd never found it.


In between the emails and activity on both threads in 2 separate places, people were voicing their jubilation that something was being done to help this kitten. No one said a word to the "finder" who had again grown silent, too silent. She finally responded stating that "we all should be ashamed of ourselves for damning her"?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? and then shortly thereafter deleted the thread.


One of the ladies called the "finder" again to ask her to check on the kitten. Baby Star had died alone, cold and in the drizzling rain.


I received this note of THANKS from the "finder":
"she called (meaning the rescue) i checked the kitten it died and she hung up telling me she wished i would have been more responcable with the kitten??!! and wouldnt run away from it, wtf ok i did its not my cat for one I dont have wild cats either ok no pets at all so how am i getting the blame i tried to get the kitten help ok without getting my kids all worked up over it ok they are a fucking mess as well and she said that and hung up the nerve wow should have never asked you bonanza wierded opoinonaters for any help wow soooo annoyed right now!! I mean really"


She's annoyed? Lady, you have NO IDEA what annoyed is even close to. Oh yes this was also directed to me: "THANKS for your help…..and thanks for making me to be an evil no caring bitch much much appreciated :) "


It's OK "finder". Take your shots at me I have nothing but sympathy for you. I do however take great offense that you called one of the ladies back later on screaming "that it was her fault because a rescue didn't get there in time, that she was a fucking (I apologize) bitch for upsetting your children"


How dare you? You could assume no responsibility what so ever in this horrendous mess. People were running like madmen because you wouldn't lift a damn finger. Again HOW DARE YOU? How can you look those children in the eye and blame someone else...you could have taught them how much people really do care. So many valuable lessons to make them stronger in their values. Now they learn to be bitter, run from responsibility and pass the buck. How does one raise their own children if you are so sickened by germs. How do you handle the children that are sick, that vomit, that get diarrhea..are they left on their own as well? I understand not all people are pet people. But at least have the courtesy to be respectful to those that tried to help you.


To my dear rescue friends..words can never convey the sheer admiration and love I have for each and every single one you. Day in and day out you fill my inner self with peace and love by your acts of love and kindness.


To my fellow selling friends...we are a family of crazy fur loving maniacs and I couldn't go a day without you. You care, you share and above all else you give.


To the "finder"...you have to look at yourself in the mirror and live with how you treated an innocent animal that needed your help. You have to look at your children and know the real truth. Karma bites hard..real hard. You have my sincerest sympathy.


Tonight I feel truly blessed as I look into the sky, seeing that one big bright Star. I know you have crossed the bridge and will always be loved and cared for. Please know that despite the fact that we never saw you nor held you, that you were as surely loved as any kitten could have have been been.






Twinkle, twinkle, little star,


How I wonder what you are.


Up above the world so high,


Like a diamond in the sky.


Twinkle, twinkle, little star,


How I wonder what you are!



When the blazing sun is gone,


When he nothing shines upon,


Then you show your little light,


Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.


Twinkle, twinkle, little star,


How I wonder what you are!




Then the traveler in the dark


Thanks you for your tiny spark;


He could not see which way to go,


If you did not twinkle so.


Twinkle, twinkle, little star,


How I wonder what you are!




In the dark blue sky you keep,


While you thro' my window peep,


And you never shut your eye,


Till the sun is in the sky,


Twinkle, twinkle, little star,


How I wonder what you are

9 comments:

  1. Mary, I just don't know what to say. I read this and tears welled up in my eyes. Your vivid description of how this kitten must have died cuts me to the bone. We have all had that critter we have chosen to deal with, chosen to help, chosen to go out of our way to try to save. To not even try. To ask for help and then abandon those who tried. I am bewildered, confused.

    I do not understand this fascination with germs, disease & illness that ppl have. I took care of an FIV+ cat before I knew he was. I always came in, changed in the laundry room & washed up before touching any if my cats. When I found out, I continued the same routine. I then had him neutered, did some research & brought him inside.

    I just cannot fathom the notion of what occurred here.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I just cannot understand how someone could call herself Mama and do a thing like that!

    Like you Mary and Paws I had tears falling from my eyes while I was reading this cause I was thinking about that poor little baby left alone outside in a box, nothing to eat/drink nobody to keep him/her warm and give love!

    Hey when I rescued Sammy 2 weeks ago he had wounds on all his paws which were really bad, he had ear mites, I didn't say "oh if I take him in my other fur babies might catch the germs etc. I took him in, isolated him in a room and feed him, put an antiseptic cream on his paws and call the vet for an appointment.

    Gee it's something live! It's not garbage that you just put in a box and trow away! It's breathing, crying just like your babies/kids!

    If one of your kid get sick who's going to take care of him/her if you are so afraid of germs?

    MamaD I hope you will sleep well tonight and that you will be able to look in your children's eyes and give them a good answer if they ask you where the kitty is!

    (((Little Star))) ♥♥♥

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mary,

    It's 63 tonight and there is a clear crisp sky for the first time in some time - I am going out to sit under the stars- and I know when I look up I will see little Star winking down at me.

    AS one of those in the rescue group you were speaking of I have simply been at a loss at what has transpired these last days and it will long linger with me but Star will ALWAYS have us and we will always love Star..

    By the way Twinkle Twinkle Little Star is one of my most favorite pieces in the world and as an incredible aside I was wearing a little shirt today that had stars on it and when I took it off tonight I saw the silver and gold stars on the shirt and the words "wish I may wish I might have my dreams come true tonight." This happened before I read this.

    Could this have been the shirt I was meant to put on in such unconscious fashion this morning that I did not even know it until I took it off to discover that it may have been a message from Star? Did this tiny creature alone in that dark knowing all that was being done for it send this tonight to give us peace?

    Tears have been streaming down my cheeks throughout this whole experience.

    I think the message was received here that this little one knows how hard we tried and that he/she is not alone. And, finally, this kitten has a name and that NO ONE can take away from Little Star. <3<3<3 ~ Raffi

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mary,

    It's 63 tonight and there is a clear crisp sky for the first time in some time - I am going out to sit under the stars- and I know when I look up I will see little Star winking down at me.

    AS one of those in the rescue group you were speaking of I have simply been at a loss at what has transpired these last days and it will long linger with me but Star will ALWAYS have us and we will always love Star..

    By the way Twinkle Twinkle Little Star is one of my most favorite pieces in the world and as an incredible aside I was wearing a little shirt today that had stars on it and when I took it off tonight I saw the silver and gold stars on the shirt and the words "wish I may wish I might have my dreams come true tonight." This happened before I read this.

    Could this have been the shirt I was meant to put on in such unconscious fashion this morning that I did not even know it until I took it off to discover that it may have been a message from Star? Did this tiny creature alone in that dark knowing all that was being done for it send this tonight to give us peace?

    Tears have been streaming down my cheeks throughout this whole experience.

    I think the message was received here that this little one knows how hard we tried and that it is not alone. And, finally, this kitten has a name and that NO ONE can take away from Little Star. ~ Raffi

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mary,

    It's 63 tonight and there is a clear crisp sky for the first time in some time - I am going out to sit under the stars- and I know when I look up I will see little Star winking down at me.

    AS one of those in the rescue group you were speaking of I have simply been at a loss at what has transpired these last days and it will long linger with me but Star will ALWAYS have us and we will always love Star..

    By the way Twinkle Twinkle Little Star is one of my most favorite pieces in the world and as an incredible aside I was wearing a little shirt today that had stars on it and when I took it off tonight I saw the silver and gold stars on the shirt and the words "wish I may wish I might have my dreams come true tonight." This happened before I read this.

    Could this have been the shirt I was meant to put on in such unconscious fashion this morning that I did not even know it until I took it off to discover that it may have been a message from Star? Did this tiny creature alone in that dark knowing all that was being done for it send this tonight to give us peace?

    Tears have been streaming down my cheeks throughout this whole experience.

    I think the message was received here that this little one knows how hard we tried and that he/she is not alone. And, finally, this kitten has a name and that NO ONE can take away from Little Star. ~ Raffi

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hello Mary - like those above, I am appalled and confused and my heart went out to that little life abandoned and helpless. Maybe out of necessity, and because it was so bizarre I began to doubt the woman's whole story - even doubted the photos that were never of the whole kitten. Be that as it may, this was an emotional roller coaster and I was rooting for that little "star" and sick when I learned it was dead and disgusted and angered that "mamaD" had so little concern for those she called for help that she would viciously attack them.

    It was very frustrating ...painful ...to read the thread over a day and and a half with the lack of response from her, knowing time was of the essence. I can imagine how much more so to you and the kind volunteers who actually dealt with it all.

    I sent you the screen shots I had - the last one from you was at 2PM the next afternoon telling us that the kitten was still alive and help was on its way and there may already be a home for the little orphan. That was so encouraging! Then to learn last night what transpired after that is just sickening. MamaD did not just do a mortal injustice to that little kitten, she did it to the spirit of all of those who read and responded emotionally to her plea for "HELP asap". Yes, I am signing "anonymous" but you know who I am - frankly, I am afraid of that, as my husband would have said, "sorry excuse for a human being".

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mary..I am so sorry, for I was the one who brought up the fact that the white 'things' were insect eggs and told her my experience with a little one I found that way...I took it in, fed it and kept it warm until I could get it to the vet..I had to leave afterwards and never followed-up on the thread...I am just heartsick

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for sending me this. I searched and searched yesterday to find the thread and see what the outcome had been for the kitten. It is a shame that care was not provided for the kitten due to fear but then to attack those who after being asked for help organized a rescue effort is terrible. We each chose our destiny by our own actions. I hope that in the future if the "finder" is in a similar situation that she will take a different route and show her children that if you can't help, then at least get the animal to someone who can. Blaming others for our own failures is an immature reaction so I hope she will learn and grow from this experience.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm not a pet person but my God I have compassion for any living animal. How could she live with herself? How could she deny a kitten that obviously needed help, food and shelter?? What kind of human being does this?

    I saw that thread and was happy that Mary was on it trying to save this poor defenseless kitten. I have no doubt that had the "finder" help Mary help her that the little Kitten would be getting the best care possible and still be alive today.

    Wow I'm just sitting here shaking my head.

    ReplyDelete