Rescuing Cats

As Friday dawned, I had no idea what was in store for me. The day started lazily with some midday tennis at the club. I left to help my friend Joe move after the rain abruptly put an end to my hitting session. Around 3pm, my father called with an urgent plan to evacuate the aforementioned cats from Stockton. I then hastily loaded my car, drove over to Joe's new place, unloaded the car, and started to make my way up to Fremont to meet my father. After more than two hours on the wet road in the midst of Friday evening rush hour, I arrived in Fremont. Five minutes later my father and I were on our way to Stockton.

In order to understand the reason for this sudden trip to evacuate the cats, a little background is in order. My parents own a handful of rental properties. Two of which are in Stockton. When they were both purchased, around thirty years ago, both were in nice middle income neighborhoods. Although they are seperated by just two blocks, one is presently quite safe, while the other is anything but. Our property manager won't even go there without police. Unsurprisingly, the cats were inconveniently located at the one that no one wants to go to. When we first learned of the cat situation, my father went up there to investigate. He barely saw the cats; but he made sure they had more than enough food, water, and litter. He felt extremely unsafe being there. Ever since that day he'd been searching for ways to return there with a better sense of security.

Just minutes before my father called me on Friday, he'd received a call from a friendly police officer who offered to help. She confirmed that the neighborhood was as dangerous as he perceived; and advised he not return without the aid of her and her partner. She was also adamant that the cats be retrieved that day. This is what set me on an almost five hour long road trip through rain and traffic to Stockton.

Shortly after arriving in Stockton, we were met by a short but spunky female officer (sans partner). We were both unsure the extent to which her presence would make the situation safer. But she was brimming with confidence. With her help, we quickly placed the cats in temporary cat carriers. Unfortunately, the pregnant cat appeared to have given birth to three stillborn kittens--one of which she was unable to completely expel. The officer immediately called the only emergency vet open at that hour and we rushed over. The vet was able to remove the remaining dead kitten and advised us that she ought to be fine. Thank goodness that the officer was a cat lover (her callsign is cat1 and her cat's name is 3adam20). She was unbelievably helpful.

Just one hour later we were back in Fremont. Considering what they'd been through, the cats were taking it pretty well. The larger one was beginning to be more insistent with it's meows, though. For most of the ride back to Almaden, the cats were very quiet. At least until the larger one finally went to the bathroom. Apparently it had reason to be agitated before. In short order it clawed a hole in the cardboard carrier and started roaming my car. Then it threw up. It was very unsettled, as was I. By the time I was close to an exit, the cat had settled in comfortably on my lap. I was thankful that it was now calm, although my car was now an exceedingly unpleasant place to be.

In short order I got the cats settled in the garage of my old house. I then immediately went to the supermarket to purchase febreeze (a most wonderful product). Not wanting to bring any diseases to my own cats, I washed my clothes and showered throughly upon my return home. By midnight I was in bed--tired, but thankful that the cats had been rescued.