DH and I went to Busch Gardens today (it's about an hour from our house). We got there early and did 9 rides on Shiekra before the heavens opened (and we got stuck 10 minutes out in the monsoon because the ride shut down and we were stuck at the top of the second hill). Okay, this is FL and it happens...thankfully our cell phones weren't ruined, and they handed out front of the line passes for next time. I was going to buy a t-shirt anyway so I bought shorts too, redressed, and we headed home (the rain looked pretty permanent).

I used Onstar to get back to I-4, and it gave me a different way than we came. Little did I know there was a cosmic reason. I was driving along on the expressway and saw A TINY KITTEN in traffic! Someone must have just thrown it out of their car, and first it started running towards the center lane, then somehow made it to the shoulder where it tried desperately to climb the ten-foot concrete wall. I was in the lane on the other side, but of course I had to stop. It took me forever to cross, but some kind people eventually saw what was up and slowed so I could get there...then some jackass behind the lady in the right lane who was letting me so swung onto the shoulder to pass her, narrowly missing the kitten despite my screaming and waving at him (DH said he wonders if it was the guy who tossed him...in the time it took me to cross he could indeed have gone around and gotten on the expressway again...probably just a jerk tho').

I managed to grab the soaked and terrified kitten and called Onstar. They had us on GPS, so they started to call the nearest vets till they found one that was open, then gave us directions. Thus far he has check out okay, other than cuts/rashes from hitting the pavement, and he also has the runs. He's going for a more comprehensive vetting to a loca doc. on Mon. Then I have to decide where to keep him or foster him for a local rescue group. Right now his diarrhea is causing me to keep him in the shower, and my three sumo cats are miffed but not overly insane about the whole matter. I named him Shiekra in honor the coaster that played an indirect role in saving his life (getting stuck and causing me to get soaked and have to stop to buy new clothes made the timing just right).

thats so sad. im glad that u found the kittie. it was ment to be that u drove that way. keep us posted.

You're that kitten's guardian angel. I swear, people like the one who tossed him out make me think the family motto is correct. The more people I meet, the more I like my dog. Excepting, of course, people like YOU.

Ugh! People like that make me absolutely sick!!! Thank goodness you were there to save that poor kitten. Thank you for having such a kind heart, and stopping.

I'm attaching some pictures of little Sheikra so you can see why it's even more unbelievable that some heartless person would do it. He is such a little cutie, although the thing that throws me is that the vet said he's a boy but he looks almost tortise shell in color. His little butt area is badly scraped and swollen with road rash though so maybe he is fooling the vet and will turn out to be a she when healed.

Wow Sheikra is so tiny and cute. He/she is so sweet and very lucky you were driving by.

Awwwwww...so glad you were there to save this little guy!

he looks so tired and scared bless you for saving him i have tears in my eyes right now

How blessed this little kitty is and you will be blessed for grabbing him out of harm's way and caring for him so well. Poor baby.

He doesn't really look old enough to be weaned...poor kitty.

I think he was barely off mom's milk (or maybe not even), as he can't handle dry food but he does fine with cat milk and canned kitten food. Attached is a picture from today in the area I set up for him in the shower. I've been giving him plenty of time out, but I watch to make sure he doesn't get too near the other cats till he gets a clean bill of health tomorrow.

awwwwwh, what a sweet little kitty. You are a special person to rescue him/her....

what a very lucky kitty! not only to be saved by you, but look at those digs! a nice cat condo, a scratching post, and someone who cares enough to make up for what that jerk did. special place in you know where for that one.

kris

Awww, poor sweet baby. He looks so worn out. God knows what they did to him before they dumped him. He certainly landed in clover, though!

Wow there are such disturbed people out there.
Bless you that you saw him and were quick!
Bless you wow that kitten is so fortunate!

what a cutie he is and i cant understand why that creep would do such a thing like that to a poor innocent kittie. thanks for sharin the pics.

I put the full story on my blog: http://celebrationfl.blogspot.com/2009/06/...r-you-want.html

He went to the local vet today, and the doc says he's probably only four weeks old. He's wormy and has fleas (so now I have to treat my other cats for fleas too), but it looks like he should be fine with treatment. He goes back for a checkup in a week.

poor little baby!!

Awwww, who would do such a thing?? I wonder where mama cat is and if she's safe?

I'm afraid to even imagine what happened to the poor mom cat. She must not have been in good shape because SheiKra has parasites that kittens can be born with when the mom has them.

He's semi-famous now...Busch Gardens put him on their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Busch-Garden...Bay/68181225238

Awww, that's neat that Busch Gardens did that.

Dani

He's a cutie and its always interesting how fate can put in the right place at the right time. I am glad he was rescued and managed to survive the adventure. Its sad what people do to put a life into this situation.