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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: |
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Lenore, above, "after" Katrina. |
"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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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Do you have a story
of an animal you adopted that PasadoRescue saved? |
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