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Cat nurses week-old abandoned puppy

June 21, 2013
by
Cleveland Animal Protective League/AP

Cleveland Animal Protective League/AP

Source Yahoo News

A pit bull rejected by (his) mother is being taken care of by an unlikely surrogate: A mama cat.

When Noland was merely 1 day old, he was taken to the Cleveland Animal Protective League without his mother.

“Obviously a 1-day-old puppy, even in the best of circumstances, [the chance of survival] is pretty iffy,” Sharon Harvey, president and CEO of the CAPL, told Yahoo News by phone. “We want to give him every chance we could.”

The staff decided Noland’s best chances were to join a litter of nursing kittens. The question: Would the cat accept a puppy into her brood of four? Amazingly, mom-cat Lurlene welcomed the outsider.

The image says it all: The pit bull is being nursed back to health by a very tolerant feline.

“They’re a happy family now,” said Harvey.

For anyone in love with the orphaned pup who might want to take him home, he’s not quite ready for adoption.“Noland is going to be with us for quite a while,” Harvey told NewsNet5. “We need to be really sure with him. We’ve got to focus on giving him the care he needs right now.”

In addition to spending eight to nine hours a day with the newborn kittens, the now-week-old pit bull, already growing bigger than the kittens, is being bottle-fed and taken home by staffers who watch over him at night.

The little guy has a ways to go before he’s in the clear. But a team of staffers—including a cat—have stepped in to help. Harvey remains hopeful—and touched by the simple gesture of a cat saving a dog.

“It’s really crazy what animals can do to give us hope,” she said. “Talk about acceptance.”

The nutrition and nurturing Lurlene provides Noland are giving him a chance at life.

“We definitely want Noland to have the happy ending that he deserves,” Harvey said.



what a joy to see something like this,
wrapped in love and sealed with
a kiss♥

Karen Lyons Kalmenson


15 Comments leave one →
  1. karenlyonskalmenson permalink
    June 21, 2013 1:49 pm

    what a joy to see something like this,
    wrapped in love and sealed with
    a kiss♥

    Like

  2. June 21, 2013 2:44 pm

    AWWW Stacey I think this is my favorite post you’ve ever made lol so sweet! I only wish there where a cat with kittens nursing that I could put my lil orphan in with! I feel so sad when I see her crawl around as if she is searching for a sibling or a mommy its heartbreaking and all my big bad ass feral cats and house cats are terrified of the baby lmao its hysterical I gotta say Stacey I don’t know how you did it with entire litters lol this one baby is kicking my butt!

    Like

    • June 21, 2013 3:21 pm

      I’m sure you are doing fabulously! My most challenging case was a kitten who was orphaned and injured in a construction site. His foot was completely squashed and he was missing half his tail. I nursed him until he got old enough to have a safe surgery to remove his foot. It was so scary! I loved him so much, and he came through wonderfully! I named him Java, he was completely black. I will always regret not adopting him myself, even though I already had a lot of cats. I still think of him and miss him greatly, but he was adopted by a wonderful family. In any case, I know you are giving it your all and doing so well! The little one is so lucky to have you!

      Like

      • June 24, 2013 12:59 pm

        Thanks so much Stacey youre too kind and youre making me blush lol! My lil kitten is black too except for the tiniest patch of white on her-his chest (I cant tell if its a girl or boy its too small lol) Its doing great though I did have to give it sub Q fluids two times but other than that its perfect and although I already have 6 cats all rescues I know in my heart that this baby isn’t going anywhere lol

        Like

        • June 24, 2013 1:02 pm

          hahaha! Good for you! I understand that bond that is formed when caring so much for the babies. It’s amazing the amount of love you can feel. I’ve done fluids, too, as well as shots. The longer you foster, the more you will know, you’ll be like a vet, no kidding! Thanks for all you do, let me know if the baby turns out to be a boy or girl (that can be difficult to determine at such a young age!). Love what you do. 🙂

          Like

  3. June 21, 2013 2:53 pm

    what a BEAUTIFUL story!

    Like

  4. June 21, 2013 3:38 pm

    Reblogged this on Sherlockian's Blog and commented:
    An amazing rescue story.

    Like

  5. June 22, 2013 8:38 am

    Reblogged this on Carinas space and commented:
    Heart-warming ❤

    Like

  6. June 25, 2013 12:20 am

    Very sweet! Animals are so loving!

    Like

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