What would you do to save a cat? (VERY LONG)

Here's the long version about the cat I saved.

I'm driving home from school, when I see this Rottweiler walking up
the sidewalk. He soon is joined by another Rottweiler. No collars or
leashes Being the person I am, and the fact I'm a vet technician, I
tend to get concerned when I see stray animals. I turn the car around
just in time to see a third, smaller dog follow them, and they duck
into a residential area. I pull into a side street and double around
into a court. I see the small dog, and I pull up in time to see one
of the Rotts prancing next to the other, who has something in its
mouth and is shaking it. It was a gray cat.

I hit the breaks, even the emergency, and jump out. The cat falls out
of the dog's mouth and tries to run. The dogs pursue it. Meanwhile
I'm running up screaming "STOP IT!!! LEAVE HIM ALONE!!! STOP!!"
The dogs had cornered the poor cat outside a wooden gate and try to
bite it again. Without thinking I grab my hat and start hitting the
dogs, all while screaming "NO!! DROP IT!!! STOP!!" I managed to fend
off the dogs, and I look down and the poor cat is on his back trying
to get up. His back legs are at funny angles. One of the Rotts had
run off, while the other was still there, looking at me with a
quizzical look.

I scoop up the cat and head towards the house. No one answered. I
see a neighbor across the street and ask if she knew who the dogs
belonged to. She didn't know, and she told me that the cat belonged
to her neighbor but he wasn't home. The dogs had run off by now. I
gave her my number, wrapped the cat in my jacket and put him in the
front seat.

I took him to the Animal Emergency Clinic. I called ahead of time,
but it was rush hour traffic. All the while, I have a hand on the
cat, and i"m saying "It's okay, kitty. Stay with me, kitty. I'm
going to get you some help."

I got there and they took him in immediately. I'm telling the story
to the receptionist and everyone is like, "You were so brave! It's a
wonder the Rottweilers didn't turn on you." Until that moment, I
hadn't even thought of how dangerous the whole thing was. All I could
think about was getting the cat out of there and to a vet. Oh and
BTW, there was a guy in the lobby with a Rottweiler on a leash.


They put me in a room with the doctor and I gave him the story. I
told him the cat is definitely going to need IV fluids, X-Rays and
treated for shock. The vet agreed with me, and told me it was an old
cat, probably 12-13 and they would need to also run some blood tests
too. Then he asked the question.

"Are you going to assume financial responsibility for this cat?"

After a pause, I told him that I didn't know. It wasn't even my cat,
and I didn't even know who or where the owner was. The doctor said he
would bring back an estimate. The estimate was almost $1100. I told
the doctor that I didn't have that kind of money and I would go to
back to the house and try to contact the owner. The doctor said that
was fine, but they needed a deposit of a couple hundred dollars so
they could start treatment on the cat.

Now one side of me is screaming, "It's an injured cat! Can't you tell
this cat needs immediate help and you need money upfront before you
can do anything? You don't go into a human ER and are asked if you
can pay before they treat you. You took an oath to help injured
animals!"

But the other side, the side that is a vet student and vet technician
is saying to myself. "Kristi, that's normal protocol.
Unfortunately, this is also a business, and they can't just give
treatment to a pet and then have the owner not pay. You work in a vet
hospital and know how much things cost."

So I grit my teeth and pull out my Visa. I can't just let the cat sit
there in an oxygen box without anything else. So I put $200 deposit
and I'm praying in the back of my head that the owner will pay me
back.

I go back to the house and sit on the porch waiting for the owner to
show up. After an hour and a half, I decide to leave a note with my
phone number. I'm in the middle of writing it, when a car pulls up.
It's the owner. I explain the matter to him, and we go inside so he
can call the clinic. But when I showed him the estimate, he sighed
and said, "I have no money. I got laid off, so I'm only working part
time and I'm selling the house. Besides, the cat was a stray that
adopted us when we first bought the house. My 76 year old roommate
really cares for her; and she just started a part time job cause she's
not getting enough from Social Security."

So he calls the clinic and talks to them. He then comes out and tells
me that the cat is calmer but her back legs aren't working right. He
tells me he gets paid on Friday and whether he's going to get the
money himself or from his roommate he is definitely going to pay me
back.

*sigh*

So, I've done all that I can. The adrenaline has worn off and
everything is sinking in now. I fended off two Rottweilers that could
have turned on me. I picked up an injured cat that could have ripped
me to shreds. I put down $200 to start treatment and only hope that
this guy keeps his word.

All to save a cat that's not even mine.

I've gotten word that the cat has a dislocated hip and at least a
broken rib or two, but currently she is stable and doing well.

Kristi

So I grit my teeth and pull out my Visa. I can't just let the cat sit
there in an oxygen box without anything else.

Oh, Lordy. We must be twins separated at birth.
Sherry

So I grit my teeth and pull out my Visa. I can't just let the cat sit
there in an oxygen box without anything else.

Oh, Lordy. We must be twins separated at birth.
Sherry

I guess you were so authoritative and angry, with no thought of fear that
the dogs listened. I'm so glad that turned out ok. I hope that all turns out
OK on the rest of this. Poor cat Life is NOT fair. I HATE people who let
their dogs loose. If I were you, I would *also* contact animal control and
report the incident. Someone needs to be on the lookout before it's a
toddler in the Rott's mouth. I'm so glad you are ok and say you are a better
man than I Ghunga Din, because I don't know that I could have done that.

Karen

I guess you were so authoritative and angry, with no thought of fear that
the dogs listened. I'm so glad that turned out ok. I hope that all turns out
OK on the rest of this. Poor cat Life is NOT fair. I HATE people who let
their dogs loose. If I were you, I would *also* contact animal control and
report the incident. Someone needs to be on the lookout before it's a
toddler in the Rott's mouth. I'm so glad you are ok and say you are a better
man than I Ghunga Din, because I don't know that I could have done that.

Karen

Sheeez, are you sure you aren't related to me...say my twin?...I've done
quite similar.... once I bonked the dog(Sharpei) with my purse and the other
time(BIG German Shepard/Heitz) with the mop I'd just bought......Got snarled
at by the Sharpei....got stuck with the $500 doc bill but I found and still
have a good friend....the other time, alas,,,,, the kitty didn't make
it:-( Liz


"Mischief" wrote in message
om...very snipped
All to save a cat that's not even mine.

I've gotten word that the cat has a dislocated hip and at least a
broken rib or two, but currently she is stable and doing well.

Kristi

Sheeez, are you sure you aren't related to me...say my twin?...I've done
quite similar.... once I bonked the dog(Sharpei) with my purse and the other
time(BIG German Shepard/Heitz) with the mop I'd just bought......Got snarled
at by the Sharpei....got stuck with the $500 doc bill but I found and still
have a good friend....the other time, alas,,,,, the kitty didn't make
it:-( Liz


"Mischief" wrote in message
om...very snipped
All to save a cat that's not even mine.

I've gotten word that the cat has a dislocated hip and at least a
broken rib or two, but currently she is stable and doing well.

Kristi

"Mischief" wrote
Here's the long version about the cat I saved.


Kudos to you for what you did, that was very brave. I don't think I would
have had the gutrs to take on two Rotties. Please keep us updated about the
cat (and the vet bill).

--
Marina, Frank and Nikki
Email marina (dot) kurten (at) pp (dot) inet (dot) fi
Pics at http://uk.f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/frankiennikki

"Mischief" wrote
Here's the long version about the cat I saved.


Kudos to you for what you did, that was very brave. I don't think I would
have had the gutrs to take on two Rotties. Please keep us updated about the
cat (and the vet bill).

--
Marina, Frank and Nikki
Email marina (dot) kurten (at) pp (dot) inet (dot) fi
Pics at http://uk.f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/frankiennikki

Mischief wrote:
Here's the long version about the cat I saved.

I'm driving home from school, when I see this Rottweiler walking up
the sidewalk. He soon is joined by another Rottweiler. No collars or
leashes Being the person I am, and the fact I'm a vet technician, I
tend to get concerned when I see stray animals. I turn the car around
just in time to see a third, smaller dog follow them, and they duck
into a residential area. I pull into a side street and double around
into a court. I see the small dog, and I pull up in time to see one
of the Rotts prancing next to the other, who has something in its
mouth and is shaking it. It was a gray cat.


Wow, good for you... I can't see how a cat lover could do
anything else though. I really hope the little grey fellow makes
it and finds someone who can look after the bill.
Helen Wheels