***I wrote this because it is still difficult for me to accept that my Bitty Baby died such a horrid death, in my arms. I tried to write it from her point of view to give her a voice in the world that she so loved...to speak to those who are so cruel about her pain but also to show what a wonderful loving creature this kitten was. I have of course lost many animals in my lifetime, but this was the first time to poisoning and I can't even say her name without the tears welling up. She fought a valiant fight against the odds of survival as a feral and was incredibly strong to the very last breath she took. She literally 'kissed' me as if to wipe away my tears, gave a tiny meow and then died. It has taken me months to write this because it still hurts, and I think the only reason I am finished with it now is because of the feral kittens that I have posted pictures of this week. I hope I have honored you my Bitty Baby by taking steps to try to keep this from happening to another kitten and rest assured that I will never stop your voice or mine against the inhumane act that took you from me. I love you still...***I had this in my blog but decided it was better to put it here. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My Name is Bitty Baby I am a feral kitty. I was living under the house where I eventually met my human. My human coaxed and coaxed for more than a month before I finally willingly allowed her to touch me. Ha Ha, I remember running to hide when I would see her coming because I knew she wanted me. I knew I had her heart from the first day that she saw me peeking out from the bricks at the back of the house and so you see I trained her well. I knew if I kept just giving her a glimpse now and then that she would chase me till I caught her! Every day she would fix meals for the other humans in the house and I would watch her from a distance. All those lovely smells drifting down to where I was just made my mouth drool. Sometimes I would sneak up on the back porch because I knew she put some of those things out for the kitties in the neighborhood. But usually I didn't get any because I was so tiny and the other cats were mostly grownups. Then one day I noticed my human sitting outside and on the ground not far away was a dish with something that smelled awfully good! So I crept very quietly around the house and snuck up on that bowl! Oh my goodness, it was so heavenly and I ate and ate till I couldn't hold anymore...and then I curled up under a big leaf and fell sound asleep. Yike's! All of a sudden I was being lifted into the air and held while that woman petted me. My heart raced a hundred miles a minute, I was so scared! But after just a few seconds she put me back down and I ran like the wind to get away! Later I saw my mom sitting next to the bowl and the woman was petting her. I watched and I listened as the woman told my mom that she had beautiful babies and she was such a good mama kitty. I watched this happen several days before I realized that this woman could be trusted. So I began going to the kitchen door and there was a bowl on the floor with treats inside so I very cautiously walked in and began to eat. I felt the woman touch me very gently and to my amazement I actually liked it! It only took a little time for me to know I loved this human and even better, she loved me! One day I jumped up on her lap and the rest is cat history! As I looked into her face she was petting me and boy that felt good. I started to purr and then I curled up into a ball right there and went to sleep. I stirred a little as I felt her pick me up and cradle me in her arms and I heard her speaking softly to me. She said "You are such a soft, pretty bitty baby." And she kissed me! It was then I knew that she belonged to me for always and I snuggled deeper in her arms and gave her a little kiss on her hand. And that's how I got my name, a very good name because I am a little bitty baby kitty! Every day after that I ran like crazy to the kichen door to greet her. One day when I went the door wasn't open and I cried loudly and scratched on the wood for a really long time but she didn't come! I went back under the house, I just knew she had left me. I don't know how long I slept but all of a sudden there she was and she was calling me. I was so happy I ran and jumped on her pants and pulled myself up...I nuzzled her face with mine, she smelled so good, she smelled like...like...LOVE! Yeah thats it, love! And now I knew that if I couldn't find her, she would find me. Sometimes she let me sleep on this big warm bed in her room and sometimes when she was sleeping I would sneak up and sleep on the pillow right next to her. I always had fresh water and plenty of food and tons of hugs, petting and kisses. I even had my own toys to play with. There was this big fluffy mouse on a fishing pole that she would throw for me and I chased it, it was great fun. I had a whole box of toys to choose from but I liked that one the best. I also liked to play with her long hair and I would bite her nose sometimes just for fun, she never got mad at me. Then one day after about three months I got really really sick. I hurt so bad I could barely move. I kept crying and she kept rocking me and petting me and I felt her hot tears as they slid down her face. I even tried licking some to make her feel better but I knew that she knew I was saying goodbye to her. I didn't want to but someone had put something bad in something I ate and I knew I had to go. I am at the rainbow bridge now, I don't hurt anymore but I know my human does because she comes everyday to talk to me and tell me how much she misses and loves me. I try to tell her its okay and we will be together again because I am waiting right here till she comes. I have to go now, I just wanted you to know...that some humans love us so deeply and we love back just as much. If you have lost one of us, don't worry, we are waiting for you. Bye now, Bitty Baby For those who liked the baby groundhogs, we lost one in a tragic accident 2 days ago:-( Thanks for looking and for previous comments and favs!