Love all animals. This is MY STORY.

I feel the need to put this in words thanks to recent events in my life. A very true story indeed.

Yolo, what's up guys? I am Rhea Alvin, blogging my opinion on everything interesting under the sun (and frankly even the moon, I do most of my typing at night). If you liked my blog, subscribe and stay tuned :)

A few years ago, I lived with my grandma. Her apartment was frequented by community cats and feral kittens. I had once found four kittens with a very indignant mom in the balcony, and their mom put up a stern appearance (that had my sides aching in laughter) that resembled very much one of the strictest teachers in my school. They grew in my presence learning hunting skills from mom and human socialization from me. The many "gifts" I received from the cats were amazing. Yeah, the gifts were mice and rats but rather than eating it themselves, they presented it to me. Of course, they would sneak in and take it back to eat but I didn't care. But one fine day, they were gone. All of them, without a trace. It was tough to believe that there were undeniably 5 cats (who weren't feral any more thanks to me) living there at all. I remember scolding the mother for slurping up all the milk in the kitchen and sneaking them inside the house while my grandma was asleep to give them a chance to try my bed. I also remember the mom learning how to open the balcony door without my help.

 And then one of those four kittens died after giving birth because they were pushed off the terrace. My friends and I were agitated. A simple community cat who meant no harm was pushed off a terrace because someone was scared?! Think of her plight. She had not had enough time to spread her paws and take the fall on her feet. She landed on her back and died instantly of shock.

She left behind 5 kittens. Of these, only 4 lived because the 5th one was killed because someone poured cold water on it in its first hours of life. It died of hypothermia. The remaining lived by depending on us to feed them. Unfortunately, these kittens did not learn hunting skills as mom could not teach them although she is the only one who would have been able to. Luckily, a good samaritan found a shelter that could be very helpful to them and that is where they went. I just hope that they live a full life, unlike their brother.

Then a few months later, we found another kitten stranded on the terrace of the adjacent building. She was beaten and in poor condition. I managed to grab her but she escaped as she was scared and then didn't come near enough for me to help her. I still gave her milk and biscuits that she could digest safely with the help of a broom. I strung a bowl on to some string and the broom carried it to the terrace. But we needed a more stable way to help her. It had been 6 days and there was no sign of her mom. She would also cry aloud at night and that disturbed some residents who were thinking of shooing her away. What good would that do? So I and my friends went to the second floor where we managed to get a larger box strung on to a rope. It was filled with biscuit crumbs and was lowered to the kitten. The bait worked and she clambered in. We pulled it upwards towards the balcony on the second floor where we were standing. It was not the best way to do it, but there were grills that were barring us from being able to reach her from the ground floor. The bars were here too, but we could rope her in. As she came up, I reached out and held her tightly, not letting her squirm for fear of her life. I brought her through the grills, noting all the while that she was so thin that she could fir through the grills. I held her on my chest while my friends looked for some milk. She looked up at me with her adorable eyes, looking ever so cute. We fed her, hydrated her, and gave her some playtime as she had been cooped in just one place for too long and needed exercise. She was so fast that she could have beaten Usain Bolt. Till we could get a permanent place for her to survive, we kept her in the same place as we kept the previous 5 kitties, but confined so that she could not escape. Someone, however, thought it would be hilarious to let her loose. It might have been funny to that person, but it was not to us and that kitten. She was barely strong or even healthy enough to roam the streets on her own, but that is how it happened. We never found her again.

As you can see, by simple and foolish deeds, real and whole lives had been destroyed. They could have been living happily and in a good place, but now they are dead thanks to some people who might have been very selfish, or simply unaware. But certain actions hold very real consequences.

My friend Avantika has posted a similar truth on her blog post. While a lot of people think that these animals are menaces, the truth is that they are just standing up for themselves in an I-have-to-save-myself mentality. And even when these animals pose no threats, they are taken to be monsters, and to be frank, that is how they see us too, sometimes rightly so. Nothing, nothing in the world gives you the right to take a life. And anyone killing these animals without a second thought can easily be called a murderer (I do not refer to euthanizing made on humane grounds). If you have any thoughts on this, leave a comment.

In fond memory of Milky (the mom), Snowy, Lola, Cutie, and Browny, the original set. In loving memory of Goldie and Ginge, Black and Brown, and the 5th unnamed kitten, the kitties of one of the kitties of Milky (no idea which one, though). And finally, in warm memory of the last kitten who we could never name. We loved them all.

And thank you to my friends at my grandma's place who helped me make life easier for these animals. Their help meant a lot to me. 

 

To all those who want to help but can't keep an animal at home, volunteer at a shelter. If you can't do that, then donate to them. It is the easiest way to help. And if you can't do even that, then at least if you spot an injured animal, be sure to let them know so that they can help it. But remember, if an animal is healthy, then let them be where they are so that there is space in the shelter for an injured animal who does need care.

❤♡Love all animals.