|
| |
|
 |
Lenore
Since we left New Orleans, and left the 1200 animals we rescued in the
caring hands of shelters and individual rescuers, we've heard one happy
ending after another. Many animals, were reunited with their owners. And
many more, were adopted by the people who saved their lives.
This is the story of a tiny kitten whose photo first appeared on our
website, shortly after Katrina hit. It was seen world-wide and we still
have people writing asking, "What happened to the little kitty in the
hand of the rescuer?" (That's Lenore, to the left, with Amy, a vet tech
who volunteered with PasadoRescue in New Orleans, taken the day she was
rescued.)
Well, here is the answer, from "Lenore's" adoptive mom! This is the
story of one lucky orphaned Katrina survivor: |
|
Lenore, above, "after" Katrina.
Now in her forever home in
Vermont. |
"She was scooped up in
the French Quarter by a Pasado's rescuer on September 22nd, the day
before before Rita would ravage New Orleans after Katrina wrecked her
havoc. Utilities workers in the area had heard the kitten wailing in a
nearby gutter and were kind enough to point her out to the rescuers.
It's amazing how such a little creature could be so helpless, yet know
what to do when in peril. It was never known what happened to mama cat.
Perhaps she was left right where mama cat may have placed her in a
desperate attempt to relocate her litter to safety. Baby kitty (now
known as Lenore) was the last to be moved, but Pasado's rescuers wasted
no time in scooping her up to safety. Lenore would most definitely have
perished, as a kitten that young (about a week and a half old), eyes
barely open, unable to perform even the most basic function of toilet
duties for herself. She had to be fed every 4 hours, then assisted to
perform her bathroom functions. Her surrogate Mom at Pasado's "Kitty
City" in Raceland (Kathy was her name, if I remember correctly),
selflessly volunteered for this task and awoke every few hours to tend
to Lenore. |
|
Above, Lenore and her big brother. |
My sister Traci, then a senior veterinary student from Ohio State,
triaged the little kitten when rescuers brought her in. When she phoned
me that night, she was very excited about this particular survivor. She
told me the amazing story about this little orphaned kitten. She knew
that I would love the opportunity to help out and foster such a special
little lady. I welcomed the opportunity! When Traci drove back to Ohio
from Raceland with her, I booked a flight to Ohio to pick her up, then
made the 12 hour trek back to Vermont in a rented car with my little
foster kitten. After surviving 2 hurricanes, there was no way I would
put her on a plane! I wanted to assure her that she would never again be
in harm's way. |
I am
enclosing a few photos. The first "Then" was posted on your website (I'm
not sure who took the photo). The other two are "Now" photos. A happy,
healthy and feisty little survivor kitten, Lenore. She is indeed a
special girl. It seems as though every day she shows her appreciation
for her life. She is so cherished and loved. Thank you Pasado's Safe
Haven, for everything you do. You make a difference."
Sincerely, Toni Patnode & Shelbie Gendron (Lenore's human Mommies)
Burlington, Vermont |
|
Do you have a story
of an animal you adopted that PasadoRescue saved?
We'd love to hear it and share your story with the world! E-mail us
here! |
|
