Cinder the blind cat
We had no idea blind Cinder was pregnant when the Bitterroot Humane Association called us about her. She'd been found as a stray, and so she was quite thin. When she began filling out, we chalked it up to her new diet. Then one day we noticed...hmm, she seemed a little “round” in the middle. Uh oh.
We whisked her off to the vet clinic, where we found she was indeed pregnant. Her babies were well on their way. We turned our isolation cottage into a nursery, and waited.
Finally one morning we walked in and found a single kitten. “That's it?,” we asked Cinder. She wasn't interested in her new baby, so we had to help it nurse until Cinder's maternal instincts kicked in. With volunteers assisting, we took turns during the day holding Cinder still so the kitten could nurse.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Images open in a pop-up window.
The next morning baby No. 2 arrived – a full 24 hours after the first one! By then Cinder had become quite the loving momma – if not yet an enthusiastic one. We named the kittens Ash and Spark.
In keeping with our fire theme, we had names ready for more kittens: Simmer, Sizzle and Ember. But we're just delighted there were only two, and both already have homes lined up.
As for Cinder, she's now spayed and living in the cat house. Her eyes are beautiful, bright and green, and they appear to be perfectly normal, but progressive retinal atrophy has left her completely blind. Cinder is a very affectionate girl, constantly purring and rubbing against us to get more attention. She's just a sweet, loving little cat. .. and no doubt glad to get that pregnancy thing behind her!
