What Would You Do ... Part 2

Okay, if you haven't read the previous blog, please do.

That poor kitten crouched in the middle of the expressway. It didn't have the best of fortunes to be there, but it did have some luck. Every vehicle that passed over it straddled it and had enough clearance to miss it. Other vehicles were going around it. But it was clear it was burning through those 9 lives quickly.

Three things went quickly through my mind. First, since the kitten was staying in one place my guess was that it had been hit. Second, with dozens of other vehicles around I figured that some cat lover would stop for it. Third, I remembered all of the stories of the many people who get hit each year trying to corral or help animals on the road.

So again, what would you do? Rescue the kitten which was probably hurt? Let nature take its course? Hope somebody else would do it?

By that point I was pretty well committed to making my right turn and the shoulder wasn't suitable for pulling over, so I made the turn. I figured that somebody would stop, but I also figured that they might need a hand. I knew that I could use one if I stopped ... so when it was safely convenient I made a u-turn and headed back. From the left turn lane to get back on the expressway I could see that the kitten was still there. Nobody had stopped and the next bunch of cars were on the way. Again, that kitten was lucky that nobody hit it. It stayed where it was. There were cars that changed lanes to avoid it, but nobody stopped. With nobody behind me I turned onto the expressway, which had a good sized dirt median. When I got up to the kitten in the opposite lanes I pulled onto the median. I saw that the kitten was in a crouch there and watching me. It had been hit and I could see its tail was in bad shape. Again, what to do...? At that point there was no traffic coming towards the kitten, so I got out, popped the trunk and grabbed a blanket. I figured the blanket could either go under the kitten, if it was willing or over it if it wasn't. Still no traffic ... I started towards the kitten and when I was about 6 feet from it, it took off. Across the median strip and the other 3 lanes and into the shrubbery on that side of the road. Thankfully there was no traffic in those lanes at the time. It ran quickly, but somewhat sideways so my guess is one of the hind legs was broken too. I retreated to my car on the median. When all was clear I drove to the shoulder, got out, and searched the area where the cat had disappeared. I could not find the kitten. I can only hope it hadn't used up all its luck and found its way to rescue...

I guess what stands out the most for me in this experience is the almost surreal events and that while many people saw the kitten nobody else stopped to help. Food for thought at the HotBlog stand...