In the News
Woman’s time with ailing kittens an emotional roller coaster
September 24, 2008
I am writing this letter for two reasons.
One is to tell the community how wonderful the Animal Emergency Clinic in Pittston is. Recently I had to use its services for the first time. I rescued two, 4-week-old kittens from a bad situation in Wilkes-Barre.
That was on a Friday night, and by Saturday morning I saw that one of them wasn't doing well. After calling several veterinarians in the area (my normal vet doesn't have Saturday hours), explaining the situation and telling them that I really thought that this kitten was dying, not one of them would see me. Not one!
For those vets, shame on you.
I could not let this poor thing suffer, so I took her and her sister to the emergency clinic. The staff there did everything, and I mean everything, they could for these kittens.
I didn't have names for them when I brought them in.; they were referred to as Kitten 1 and Kitten 2. Deep down inside I had a feeling that Kitten 2 would not make it. I refused to have her die without a name, so her name became Zoe. I knew that this visit would cost monetarily, but the emotional price was much higher. I could easily have told them to put down Zoe as soon as I brought her in, but I believe that every animal deserves a chance. I was able to take home Kitten 1, known as Molly, but Zoe had to stay and fight for her life.
Seven hours later Zoe lost that fight. And though I wasn't able to be there, I'm comforted to know that she was surrounded by people who were willing to fight for her life too. She did not die alone. She died surrounded by loving and caring people.
I will mourn for her for quite some time. She never knew what it was like to be held on someone's lap and petted until she fell asleep. She never knew what it feels like to stretch out in a beam of sunshine and warm herself. She never knew what it was like to not have a care in the world. And that is the saddest part.
I will be forever indebted for all that they did for Zoe. Never have I met such compassionate individuals whose main purpose is to help precious animals, whether they have been with their guardians for years or just 12 hours.
Which brings me to the other reason why I'm writing.
To whomever tossed out the cat that gave birth to these two girls, shame on you, too. These animals are not disposable. They are living and feeling animals. I would like to think that maybe you feel some remorse for the problems that you have caused.
If it weren't for you, Zoe never would have suffered in the first place.
If you can't afford to properly care for your pet, then don't get one. Get your pet spayed or neutered and save lives instead of destroying them.
Yvonne Clark Wilkes-Barre
