| | | Chihuahua Mama Adopts and Saves the Life of Tiny Kitten
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By Caroline Golon.....
halopets.com
| Photo credit: Photo: Helen Woodward Animal Center
click image to enlarge
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Staff and volunteers at Helen Woodward Animal Center (HWAC) in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. saw first hand just how strong a mother’s love can be – even when the baby is from another species!
Beignet, a young long-haired Chihuahua, and Gumbo, a tiny grey kitten, were found abandoned in a backyard in Barstow, Calif. Neighbors found Beignet, whose own puppies were nowhere to be found, nursing the small grey kitten and surely keeping him alive as nighttime temps dropped to the 20s.
The pair was transported to the HWAC and thrived under their care. Marcie Grube of HWAC says Gumbo is quiet and serene and likes to watch everything going on around him, while his mama, Beignet, is friendly and loves people and other animals. As excited as Beignet gets when people approach, she stays seated so her feline “son” can still be next to her. “Gumbo really relies on Beignet for comfort and stability,” Grube says. “He is usually found snuggled next to her or leaning on her.“
After they were sure the pair was healthy and comfortable, the staff went about finding the two a home – together. When news spread of the unlikely mother-son combo, donations and would-be adopters poured in from all over the country and the world.
In fact, says the HWAC, they received so many applications to adopt the two that the shelter began asking people to send in a 300-word essay about why they have the perfect home for the adorable pair.
Beignet and Gumbo’s forever home will be chosen this week and the lucky family will take their new family members home on March 12.
Grube says when the pair first arrived, even during the hectic intake process, both Beignet and Gumbo were perfect little angels. “They both sat like little kids, with perfect posture, right next to each other, almost saying, "Hi! We’re waiting our turn!".
Well, Beignet and Gumbo, it’s your turn now! Enjoy your forever home!
Kat Lentz · Top Commenter
Animals form amazing bonds among their own species and even across the species border. Our Jada (Husky/Lab mix) was right there helping me deliver the second of two breech kittens from a cat who had belonged to a neighbor. Jada loved and nurtured all of the kittens in that litter, but was particularly fond of Leo--the runt and the second of the two breech kittens. Jada cleaned the kitten off, made sure he was breathing and even attempted to feed him. Even though Leo is now almost 4 yrs. old, Jada and he still have an unbreakable bond.
Reply · 19 · · 9 hours ago
Nuria Rodriguez · Top Commenter · Works at Animal and Environmental Protection Coalition
What a wonderful story! It's wonderful to see that the shelter is adopting them out together. I hope an update is posted when they are at their new home.
Reply · 12 · · 10 hours ago
Joann Heiser Bollond
OMG.... this story brought tears to my eyes. I hope Beignets puppies survived. It's so nice to read such a touching story with all that's going on in the world today :) I'm glad they get to stay together in their forever home!
Reply · 10 · · 9 hours ago
Kristin Shamel-Arsenault · Owner/Artist at The Gilded Touch - Art on Glass - www.thegildedtouch.com
Beautiful story! Anyone who thinks cats and dogs can't live together in harmony needs to read this!
Reply · 10 · · 10 hours ago
Ellyn Gilbride
Will we ever learn?
Reply · 9 · · 10 hours ago
Kristin Shamel-Arsenault · Owner/Artist at The Gilded Touch - Art on Glass - www.thegildedtouch.com
Ellyn Gilbride I'd like to think so. SOME of us will. :-) I had a little long haired dachshund mix years ago - she became the "mother" to three rescued 3-wk-old kittens - she wouldn't leave their sides and tried to nurse them. I don't think she'd ever had puppies - it was her maternal love and instinct. I much prefer animals to most people. :-)
Reply · 19 · · 9 hours ago
Wendy Jo Duffy · Field Inv/Sampler at Allegheny County Sanitary Authority
Ellyn Gilbride So very true!!!! I wonder myself.
Reply · 2 · · 4 hours ago
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Marie Engel · Halsey JHS
What a wonderful heartwarming story! Marie E.,Bristol, Pa
Reply · 9 · · 10 hours ago
John T Colyer · John evelyn
That's what true life is all about
Reply · 9 · · 10 hours ago
Mary Carter · Health & Wellness Coach at Reach Beyond Coaching
so sweet, animals are awesome
Reply · 8 · · 10 hours ago
Joan Alexander Willner · Top Commenter
Love this story.
Reply · 8 · · 10 hours ago
Ann Lethcoe · NOYB at NOYB
Great Story.. Chihuahuas seem to be born with a maternal instinct.. My girl, spayed, treats the new pup like he's her's.. If he makes a tiny sound, she's right there.
Reply · 7 · · 8 hours ago |
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