June 11 Kitten Rescue (Katie)
Tonight, Kira and I kept hearing a loud high-pitched mewing coming from somewhere across the street up high as we visited with Thong, his family, and his neighbor (a Vietnamese man named Duy who lives here in his hometown of Da Nang for part of the year and in Chicago for the rest). I was unable to stay focused on the food or the company, as I was distracted by the constant sound, concerned for the creature it was coming from. Around here, strays are common and the people do not have concern for animals on the streets, so it seemed no one but Kira and I (and my dad) even noticed. I shared our concern to the people at our table more than once.
A long while later, Duy sat up and pointed to the street, calling out to two young men crossing to our side. One of them had found the source of the noise and was carrying a small puny kitten by the scruff. Duy told them to give it to Kira. The man set what appeared to be a Siamese kitten in her lap and walked away. The little thing was so small, very hungry, and mewing loudly. My dad suggested that it might drink some warm milk. We walked to Thong's house to heat some milk and Kira tried to coax it to drink by itself, though it was too young to know how to accomplish that very well. But it did put its mouth in the milk, and lick it off of its fur when it pulled up. It continued to cry.
Although sad for its immediate state, we were far more distressed over what would happen to this little kitten once we had to leave. We could not take it with us, no one here is looking to take a kitten off the street (they seem to have the same attitude toward the cats and dogs on the streets as they do for the rats), and there was no animal shelter we could call to nurse it back to health. People looked at Kira and I, amused and puzzled at our actions, holding and showing concern for a stray cat.
Kira would not leave the kitten's side, and continued to cuddle it and try to feed her milk. She eventually stopped meowing as she nuzzled into Kira's hair and around her neck. The little thing seemed quite entertained by her hair and she began rolling around, playing in it. I told my dad that we have to try and do something for it, because if no one took her into their care, she would certainly die. Duy, understanding our emotions more than the others, likely because of his time spent in America, told us that he highly doubted anyone would want it.
As things looked bleak, and no solution seemed to be presenting itself, we began to realize that we may have to leave her and that she'd soon starve to death or be eaten. Kira and I both shed tears as this reality seemed to become certain. Kira pleaded to me, and I pleaded to my father, because if anyone can make things happen, it's Neil Hannan.
Sure enough... after talking to Duy for a few moments, my father walked over to us and announced that Duy had offered to keep the kitten for a month or two and bring it back to health. We were overcome with immediate relief and happiness. It wasn't a guarantee that she would live, but now she had the best chance she would get. Duy went to get a box to bring her home in, and promised Kira that she was in good hands. He's had cats before (and currently has a pet cat), and knows how to care for them. He gave us his email so that in two months, we can contact him and he'll send us pictures of her and update us.
There are stray animals all across this country. As my father pointed out tonight, it is like helping the poor families here in Vietnam. You help one, then two, then three... but keep looking and you will always find more that need your help, but it is impossible to help them all. We did not solve the stray animal problem in Vietnam... I know there are still thousands... but we helped that one kitten. My father isn't eliminating poverty and pain in Vietnam, but it makes a difference for every family he does help.
I am so thankful that Duy was there tonight. We'd never met him before and he only came over to share some beers and meet my father. He got more that he bargained for. You'll find Duy in the final photo in this post... we are so grateful to this man!
A long while later, Duy sat up and pointed to the street, calling out to two young men crossing to our side. One of them had found the source of the noise and was carrying a small puny kitten by the scruff. Duy told them to give it to Kira. The man set what appeared to be a Siamese kitten in her lap and walked away. The little thing was so small, very hungry, and mewing loudly. My dad suggested that it might drink some warm milk. We walked to Thong's house to heat some milk and Kira tried to coax it to drink by itself, though it was too young to know how to accomplish that very well. But it did put its mouth in the milk, and lick it off of its fur when it pulled up. It continued to cry.
Although sad for its immediate state, we were far more distressed over what would happen to this little kitten once we had to leave. We could not take it with us, no one here is looking to take a kitten off the street (they seem to have the same attitude toward the cats and dogs on the streets as they do for the rats), and there was no animal shelter we could call to nurse it back to health. People looked at Kira and I, amused and puzzled at our actions, holding and showing concern for a stray cat.
Kira would not leave the kitten's side, and continued to cuddle it and try to feed her milk. She eventually stopped meowing as she nuzzled into Kira's hair and around her neck. The little thing seemed quite entertained by her hair and she began rolling around, playing in it. I told my dad that we have to try and do something for it, because if no one took her into their care, she would certainly die. Duy, understanding our emotions more than the others, likely because of his time spent in America, told us that he highly doubted anyone would want it.
As things looked bleak, and no solution seemed to be presenting itself, we began to realize that we may have to leave her and that she'd soon starve to death or be eaten. Kira and I both shed tears as this reality seemed to become certain. Kira pleaded to me, and I pleaded to my father, because if anyone can make things happen, it's Neil Hannan.
Sure enough... after talking to Duy for a few moments, my father walked over to us and announced that Duy had offered to keep the kitten for a month or two and bring it back to health. We were overcome with immediate relief and happiness. It wasn't a guarantee that she would live, but now she had the best chance she would get. Duy went to get a box to bring her home in, and promised Kira that she was in good hands. He's had cats before (and currently has a pet cat), and knows how to care for them. He gave us his email so that in two months, we can contact him and he'll send us pictures of her and update us.
There are stray animals all across this country. As my father pointed out tonight, it is like helping the poor families here in Vietnam. You help one, then two, then three... but keep looking and you will always find more that need your help, but it is impossible to help them all. We did not solve the stray animal problem in Vietnam... I know there are still thousands... but we helped that one kitten. My father isn't eliminating poverty and pain in Vietnam, but it makes a difference for every family he does help.
I am so thankful that Duy was there tonight. We'd never met him before and he only came over to share some beers and meet my father. He got more that he bargained for. You'll find Duy in the final photo in this post... we are so grateful to this man!
So adorable
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