The Delicate Balance Between Life & Death

©2010 Robin A.F. Olson. Princess, two weeks ago.

Two weeks ago, little Princess Fifi clung to life, battling a serious Upper Respiratory Infection. Luckily she did NOT have Feline Leukemia or FIP or so many other diseases that can take the life of a severely underweight kitten.

How Princess found her way into the garage of the Williams family, we will never know. If she had any surviving siblings or parent, we will never know. We DO know that the Williams' found her and got her some help from Animals in Distress and Kitten Associates.

Fortunately, I had the good sense to know Princess was not doing well in time to get her help before she started to have seizures. With a temperature of over 106°F, almost 107°F, she didn't have much time.

©2010 Robin A.F. Olson. Princess, a few days ago!

Thankfully between our two rescue organizations and with the thanks of SO MANY OF YOU who generously donated to her medical fund, we raised $890.00. It will go a long way to help pay her $1700.00 medical bill. Princess recovered enough to leave the hospital and over the first 10 days in foster care, she slowly began to eat and show signs of wanting to play.

©2010 Robin A.F. Olson

Sam and I went to visit her and couldn't believe our eyes. This kitten was playing and making friends with the two adult kitties who live with her foster mom, Carole. She has lots of room to run around and play and lots of toys and good food to eat.

©2010 Robin A.F. Olson. If you're happy hold your tail up high!

Instead of having a big snuggle session with her, we simply watched her play. She has LOADS of energy now and is inquisitive and happy. She is confident and fearless. What a survivor!

©2010 Robin A.F. Olson. Or just raise your paw!

Princess Fifi had obviously gained some weight and grown a bit taller. This was the robust looking kitten I had hoped to first see the day I met her. I just couldn't get over how GOOD she looked.

©2010 Robin A.F. Olson. The little hunter.

With boundless energy, Princess ran around the room. There was no sigh of her illness and she was just about done taking her medication. Now she just needed a home.

©2010 Robin A.F. Olson.

I was getting ready to post this when I heard that Princess was adopted! I'm not sure if the adoption is going through, since a few things have changed over the past 24 hours. Even if this adoption doesn't work out, it's clear that Princess Fifi has survived her near-death experience and will easily find a forever home as soon as she's ready to go.

©2010 Robin A.F. Olson. What a crazy upside-down world!

Although a lot of money was spent on her care, seeing Princess thriving was priceless. I wasn't sure she would make it. In fact I tried to prepare myself for the worst. It's a delicate balance between life and death. Fortunately for Princess and all of us, the scales tipped in her favor.

©2010 Robin A.F. Olson. Princess among the pillows. All comfy and happy in her foster home.