Freeway kitten

I was driving to a mid-morning appointment on the 10 Freeway with no traffic and cars moving along at 65-ish mph. I saw a moving little lump traveling against traffic, hugging the wall on the shoulder of the freeway. I realized it was a kitten. I was in denial, and late for my appointment, so I told myself the little thing would be fine.

My appointment lasted about an hour. On the way home, now on the other side of the 10 Freeway, I decided to try and clear my guilty conscience. I got off the freeway, got back on the other side of the freeway to see if the kitten was still there. To my utter sadness, there it was; still walking to nowhere, still hugging the wall on the shoulder. I passed her, got off the freeway, got back on the freeway, passed her again; repeat at least 3 times.

Finally, the kitten made it to the on ramp and just plopped in the gutter; finally off the freeway. I called my girlfriend and asked her what to do. She told me to go buy some cat food and get a towel. Done. Now toss cat food at the kitten and when it goes for the food, trap her in the towel. It worked!

We went straight to my vet's office. The details were: female, 1 lb, starving, estimated 4 weeks old, collapsed lens (likely blind in that eye), cuts on her face, nails ground down to her pads; otherwise, healthy. My vet surmised she may have been tossed out of a car. If so, I wish I could find those people for a chat.

Cut to today. She is 3 1/2 years old. Her name is Twiggy (AKA Twiggles). She is healthy, semi-happy, fat as can be, still warming up to people, blind in one eye, nails as sharp as needles. We are to the point where she will hang out, and even sit on my lap a couple times a day. I would do anything for this cat. VICTORY!!!!! She even occasionally plays with the other cats.

I am so happy I was talked into trying to help her. My goal is for her to outlive me. That means I need another 30-40 years out of her :)

Mark Johnson
LA HABRA, CA