Conference misery::feline_v1

    Hi!
    
    How about calling the SPCA either out of Worcester or Boston and see
    if they could suggest something.  Where on 495 did you see it?
    
    

    I saw the same kittie, on the Rt 119 exit in Littleton.  Is that
    the same one?   I was afraid to approach it.  All I could think
    of was that if I went to pick it up it might be scared and take
    off and then get hit.  I couldn't live with that.  I was hoping
    he would make it safely across. 
    
    Pam

    Hi Pam,
    
    Yes yes yes!!!!  This HAS to be the same kittie because it is
    around the Rt 119 exit in Littleton that I have seen it. When did
    you first see the poor little thing?  I am planning to call the
    MSPCA.  I am not sure if they will be able to do anything.  Perhaps
    you and I could try to catch it.  
    
    Thanks for your input.
    
    Arlene    

    Try enticing it with some food.  All I can say that if it were me,
    I would take the chance and try to catch it.  Go for it!  Take along
    a strong scented food like people tuna.  That's how I caught four
    very feral little kittens.
    
    Good luck and please save the poor thing!!
    

    Arlene,  I'd be glad to help.  I think I saw it last Thursday and
    was going to post a note but I didn't see it on Friday.  I'll keep
    an eye out for him tonight.  Drop me a note if you see it tonight
    and maybe we can try to catch him this week.
    
    Pam

    If those of you who saw the kitten on 495 called the police,
    maybe they could try to pick it up, or send an animal officer
    out to rescue it.  They'd probably have better luck getting
    to the median since they have "authority."
    
    God, I hope the poor thing gets rescued!
    
    Karen

    To Pam and Everyone,
    
    I  called the Littleton police.  They told me to call the Dog Officer.
    The woman who answered was a real "ball of fire".  Only kidding.
    She sounded as if she did not care at all.  I told her that if someone
    does pick the kittie up that I wanted to be notified.  She told
    me to call her in a couple of days.  Thats a start.  Pam, lets watch
    for it tomorrow morning, double check the location and contact each
    other.  Maybe we could zip over at lunchtime.  One person told me
    that we could be picked up for driving to endanger.  The head of
    our security department said just the opposite.  I'm am all for
    going for it.  
    
    To everyone else,  just in case we do succeed, is anyone interested
    in adopting the little tyke?
    
    More later,
    Arlene

    Maybe the best thing to do is to walk over Arlene.  That way we
    can't get a ticket for driving to endanger.  Of course I don't 
    belive it is legal to be walking on a on-ramp either.  I'll keep
    an eye out for him tonight and tomorrow morning.  If either one
    of us sees him, we can go at lunch time.
    
    Pam

    If you guys do try to catch him, don't forget to bring a carrier with
    you.  If you do catch him, you probably won't be able to hold onto him
    long enough to carry him back to work.
    
    I would think that if you drove up and parked your car on the right
    side of the street with your flashers on, there shouldn't be a problem
    with the law.
    
    cin
    

    I can't wait for the outcome of this one.  I do hope the little is OK.
    
    Please let us know as soon as you catch the little one.  He is probably
    terrified.  How old does it look like.
    
    Sandi
    
    

    Maybe bring a can of tuna (and a can opener) to entice him.
    

    
    
    Any news on this?
    
    F.

Looked for him last night and this morning but didn't see him.  Maybe
    he found his way home.
    
    Pam

    I too looked for him last night and this morning.  I will call the
    Dog Officer and see if they picked him up.  Could be we just missed
    him.  I hope that you are right, and that he found his way home.
    
    Arlene

    
    
    
    		AARRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    
    SANDI who is anxiously awaiting the outcome on this one
    
    
    

    That really burns me, these so called "Dog Officers" who won't do a
    darn thing!!!!  A few years ago we had a large dog coming around and
    bothering our dogs.  We called the police, who wouldn't do anything and
    the dog officer who said "Hey, I just pick them up, I don't catch
    them."  My husband had to stay home from work and it took him two days
    with an elaborate trap set up to catch this dog.  After that, the
    officer was too busy to come out and get him.  We had to house and feed
    this dog
    for a day and a half in our own kennel cage before the DOG OFFICER  came!
    
    Dog Officer my foot, it's more like the "town idiot" where I come from!
    
    Sorry I rambled, but it just bothers me.  I hope you find the kitty. 
    Let's face it , how long can he last living in the median strip of such 
    busy highway!
    
    
    Jeanne
     

    
    I saw the same kitty on Sunday.  I was driving from Lancaster to
    Merrimack.  I felt so terrible!!!  Had I not been on my way to Sales
    Training, I probably would have stopped.
    
    Marlene

    
    Hi,
    
    Please, please don't give up on this little creature, who obviously
    needs help.  Last time I was home in New England, I became aware
    of a kitten that had been trapped in a swamp.  We could hear him
    mewing very often, and less often, but occassionally see him.  Poor
    little thing was so along and scared.  The swamp was virtually
    quicksand on the bottom, so it was next to impossible to get to
    him when we COULD see him  -we really feared for our lives at times.
    But after 4-5 separate occasions (stretching over a week), we were
    finally able to get him, and now he lives happily in a warm, snuggly
    home, and seems to be eternally grateful....
    
    Please keep us all posted.  If I didn't live 3000 miles away I would
    gladly go hang out on the freeway with you.  I wonder if you could
    position yourselves there kind of mid-day when it might be a little
    less busy?
    
    Best of luck,
    
    Lynn
    

    I once actually stopped on the median strip of 495 to try and
    catch a black and white cat I had spotted there.  Unfortunately,
    s/he took off before I could even get close and I suspected that
    s/he was feral.  
      I don't recall the exact spot but I work in MRO and it was
    south of rt 20.  
      If you are able to capture this little one, let us know what we
    can do to help you with his/her care.
      Nancy DC
    

    Just to let you know what is happening, I have not seen the kittie
    for the past couple of days.  I did, however, see a small black
    one with white paws several miles further south.  I ask myself what
    these poor creatures are doing in such a dangerous area.  There
    is no way that I will chance stopping on the median strip on 495
    at 5:00 at night.  However, I will keep my eyes open and hopefully
    be able to catch the kittie during a time when there is less traffic.
    Pam, have you seen him/her lately?
    

    
    
    	I've been on 495 a lot recently and have been keeping my eyes
    	open but haven't seen the little bugger.  If you do see him,
    	I work in Westford and would be willing to try and help to 
    	catch him.
    
    	JJ
    

    I recieved a call yesterday from a lady named Barbara.  She isn't
    a reader of FELINE.  She saw the kitten and decided to read FELINE
    to see if anyone else had spotted him.  Sure enough she found this
    note.  She saw the kitten yesterday around noon and called me around
    2:00.  I took off to try to save him.  I went up and down 495 from
    exit 30 to exit 32 in Littleton searching for him.  She spotted
    him in the median strip, off of the high speed lane.  When I saw
    him last Thursday, I saw him in the grass between the on-ramp and
    the highway.   I wish I had stopped but I just didn't have time
    to think.  I drove in the grass up and down several times looking
    for him, but no sign of him.  I got out and walked around calling
    him too, but no sign.  She said he looked sick, kind of crouched
    down half under a bush.  There are LOTS of bushes that he could
    be hiding under trying to keep try.  I feel so bad for him.  He
    must be cold, lonely, wet and hungry.  He looks to be about 6-8
    months old and very grungy.  Black and White.  That's why I don't
    think he belongs to anyone, unless he lives in someones barn.  The
    poor thing has been out there for a week now.
    
    I am keeping the box in my car for a couple of weeks and I will
    continue to look for him.  Maybe some other people can do the same.
    
    If anyone spots him, please give me a buzz at DTN 226-7588 or send
    me mail at BAGELS::MATSIS.
    
    I'll let you know if I find him.
    
    Pam
    
    ps.  I called the Lowell Humane Society  to find out if they would
    take him and they said definitely.  No charge.  My family thinks
    I'm nuts for trying to save him. They think I'm going to be killed
    and that he'll probably end up getting put to sleep.  I don't know,
    anything is better than the life he is living now and he'll only
    end up getting run over.  Maybe if we find him, we can find a home
    for him.  1st things 1st.  Boy it is scary out in the median strip
    with people flying by at 90mph +.  Especially the big rigs.
    
    

    I have to hand it to you Pam, you have guts!!  I am terrified of
    that highway.  I too, have been thinking about the poor little thing.
    I thought about him all night long last night.  I hope that we don't
    find him too late.  He probably is sick from being out in the cold
    with no food or shelter.  The lady you spoke to said he was a kitten.
    I think he is a bit older than that.  God, I hope we can save him.
    
    Later,
    Arlene

    Arlene,
    
    The age guess was mine. I thought he looked pretty young, but then
    again,it could be that he is tiny due to lack of food.  My kitten
    is 5 months old and I didn't think that this one looked much bigger.
    Of course it's hard to tell when your doing 70mph.
    
    Let's pray we can find him in time.
    
    Pam

    When you find him, take him to the vet immediately.  If cost is
    a concern, let me know.  I can help out some.
     Nancy DC who knows you're not crazy, unless you have to be crazy
              to care.

    $$$$$  me too....

    
    
    We've had success trapping cats such as this.
    The trap we use is a rectangular cage with a "door"
    that closes once the animal is inside.  Put a trail
    of food the length of the cage so it is easy for the cat
    to move inside.  Covering the sides/top/back with brush
    seems to help.  As mentioned in a previous note, using food 
    with a strong odor is advisable.
    
    I believe the "humane" trap can be rented from Taylor Rental
    or the local humane society.

    This is only a suggestion, is it possible to get a have-a-heart
    trap and put it in the median strip in some bushes (with food inside)
    and hope you can catch the kittie that way? 
    
    That road is so awful, he probably can't begin to get across and
    will starve to death soon, or die of exposure. What if you called
    the state police and explained the situation (pleading to their
    humanitarian side) to put a police car with lights flashing behind
    your car while you place the trap and make plans to recheck it again,
    or the department of public works.  **OR** how about calling Dave
    Maynard in the Morning on WBZ and ask for his help? He had done
    some fantatic things in the past with lost/stolen/found pets.
    
    This situation is a tough one.
    
    Barbara

    
    
    	That poor little thing!!  I think I'll take a slight detour
    	when I leave work today.  I'm right off of exit 32 but will
    	drive down 110 into Littleton and catch 495 off of 119.
    
    	Anyone want to join me?  (of all days to wear a skirt!!)
    

    I don't know about a trap.  It's bad enough stopping when you see
    him to try to catch him, never mind stopping daily to check the
    trap, let loose who knows what kind of wild animals, refilling the
    food etc.  495 is one crazy highway.  There's also no breakdown
    lane on that side of the highway.  I had to hit the grass at 60
    mph before I could slow down due to the traffic.  I'm surprised
    I didn't have a blow out either.  Lots of stuff in that grass. 
    It's extremely dangerous.  People get killed stopping in breakdown
    lanes, never mind walking around in the median strip or driving
    down the median strip.  Remember the poor little girl that was 
    recently killed because her father had stopping in the breakdown
    lane to put on a helmet and some drunk came by.  It's a bad place
    to be.  I am still going to look for him daily though and will stop
    if I see him.  I know he can get across if he wants to.  The first
    time I saw him he wasn't in the median strip.  He was in the grass
    between the on-ramp and the highway.  That means he found his way
    across 3 lanes to get to the middle.  I wish he had crossed the
    other way.  It would have been a lot easier for him to cross just
    the on-ramp, which is one lane.  I think he is probably wild and
    has chosen this to be his home.  God only knows why he picked that
    place.  There are slow times in the middle of the night so I believe
    he could make it across if he wants to.  
    
    I will continue hunting though.  He's bound to show up.  
    
    Didn't someone say earlier in this note that they called the police
    and dog officer and got no help???? or was that another note?  

    Hi,
    
    I called the Dog Officer this morning.  He told me that he had seen
    the kittie the day before I had called him.  He told me that he
    had called the State Police for an escort into the median strip.
    By the time he got back the kittie was not around.  He said that
    it is not against the law to go into the median strip, just VERY
    dangerous, I am sure that Pam can vouch for that.  Anyway, he has
    promised me that he will continue to check for the kittie and will
    call me if he finds and catches it.  I did not see the little tyke
    this morning, perhaps he has in fact gone home.  I hope so.
    
    Regards,
    Arlene
    

    Well I'm happy to hear that the Dog officer is keeping an eye out
    for him.  I thought he might make an appearance this morning since
    it is so nice out but I didn't see him.  I'll take another look
    at lunchtime.
    
    Pam

    
    
    	I checked last night after work but didn't see him either.
    
    

    If the dog officer is helping then why couldn't he place a trap
    and check it or ask the police to check it???  There is also an
    option of putting it to the other side of the highway.  If the
    authorities place the trap then you aren't held responsible should
    someone steel the trap.  
    
    I have had it happen to me whereby I borrowed a trap from the dog
    officer, put up a $50 deposit for the trap, only to have someone
    steel the trap!!!  Well, needless to say, they were very unhappy
    and wanted me to pay for it.  I told them to check with their insurance
    since it would stand to reason that the department would have insurance
    to cover theft of department property.  I never heard anything more.
    
    I do hope that someone is able to rescue him.  I so hate to see
    these sort of things happening.  He hasn't picked a very good place
    for his home, has he!!  If you need a place for him if he is caught
    please get in touch with me.
    
    I don't have much time to get into notes so I may not be able to
    check back here.  Please send me mail if you catch him and I will
    see if I can help.
    
    nancy

	 Was the  kitty  a  medium-long  hair kitty? Was it mostly white
     with  some  black  on  the  back  tail  and  face  (most notably an
     off-center  smudge  on  the  nose that kind of looks like a fat New
     Hampshire  upside  down)?  If so, it may be one of the kitties from
     our barn, located only 1/4 mile away, and he is a she.  Smidgen has
     been  missing  for  almost  2  weeks  now.   She  has been known to
     disappear  for a week or so, but has never been gone this long.  If
     it  is Smidge, she is friendly, and neutered.  If someone does find
     her,  our  barn  is  1/4  mile  west on 119 (across the street from
     Navtech).   We  at  the barn had just assumed that she would either
     come  back  on her own or that she had been swallowed up by another
     critter  or  family.   Now that I know about this kitty, I too will
     keep my eyes open and look for it.

    RE:  .35
    
    Ooohh, it sure sounds like this cat could be Smidgen!  That would
    be terrific to know that Smidge is well cared for and has a home.
    
    Wonderful!!
    

    
    I, too, have been looking for the kitten. I haven't seen the kitten in
    the last couple of days. I travel 495 twice a day and look every time.
    I will continue to look for the kitten and I hope I see him/her. The
    kitten really needs our help.
    
    
    Louise

    I think it may be Smidgen.  How old is she and about how big?  This
    cat stuck in the middle of 495 is mostly white with some black.
    I belive there may have been some black on her back though.  Not
    sure.  It's so hard to tell when you're travelling so fast on a
    highway.  I hope it is Smidgen and someone can find him.  We'll
    know when we see her nose if we find her.  I don't know how much
    this cat weighs but I would guess around 4-7 lbs.  Not real big
    but not a tiny kitten. Looks like a young cat.  The poor thing.
    If it is Smidgen, and not a wild cat, she is probably scared to
    death out there.  Between all of us, someone is bound to see her
    again and be able to catch her.
    
    Please let us 
    
    
    woops, please let us know if Smidgen returns.
    
    Pam

    I have not seen the kittie in several days.  However, I am now unsure
    as to whether we have been looking for the same kittie.  The one
    that I have seen is mostly black with white down its belly and face.
    Its back and tail were definitely black.  I have a suspicion that
    it may have finally found its way home.  I sure hope so.
    
    See ya,
    Arlene

	 Well, Smidgen  has  not  yet  returned.  The barn owners do not
     believe that she will, at this point.  She is 1.5 years old, and on
     the  thin side, and probably medium height in stature.  An estimate
     of  5-7  pounds  is probably pretty close.  Other than the black on
     the  nose  and  tail, she has miscellaneous black spots on her body
     (back, mostly).  Kind of hard markings to describe.  

	 As I  drove  495 on Saturday (that's the only time I'm on it in
     daylight)  I  tried  to  look for *any* kitty.  Didn't see a thing,
     other than trash.

	 Thanks, everyone, for keeping your eyes open for her.


Kathy

    
    I saw her yesterday (Sunday) at around 3:00. She was mostly white
    with back marks. I looked for her Saturday on the way to and from
    the cat show but I didn't see her. Yesterday I was coming form Cin's
    house and I looked for her again and I saw her. I didn't stop because
    there wasn't a break down lane, and I didn't have anything to put
    her in anyway. I figured she was wild and would run away and get
    hit by a car. I would have hated to have to write that note. But,
    I just wanted to let you know she is still there!! Poor thing. I
    think a cage is a good idea too, if someone is willing to stop there
    and check it everyday. 
    
    Stephanie

    I've been reading this note through hoping that someone had finally
    been able to rescue this poor thing.  She (or he) must be so frightened
    of the heavy traffic that she(he) won't try to cross from the median
    strip.
    
    If the Dog Officer is still checking that area for the cat, it would be
    a good idea if he placed a humane trap there with food and water in it
    to try to catch the cat.  The Dog Officer should be able to get a State
    Police Car for protection while he does this I would think.  I agree
    the trap should be concealed from the public's eyes though but checked
    by the Dog Officer or someone else daily until the cat has been caught. 
    It's terrible to think that the poor thing may starve to death or get
    hit by a car or truck if it should try crossing the highway.
    
    Pat_who_hates_unhappy_endings.
    

    
    
    	I looked Sunday but didn't see it.  I really hope someone
    	can rescue the little thing soon.
    
    	Also, my fiance Cary said he saw what appeared to be a kitty
    	off the Marlboro exit.  It was dusk so it was hard to tell.
    	Says he saw the eyes and the head and then it disappeared.
    	
    	All I could think of was...not another one!
    
    	JJ
    

    Well, I finally saw the black and white kittie that I had originally
    seen two weeks ago.  Pam, he/she was on the North bound side right
    across from the Littleton plant.  This was today at 11:45am.  I
    was on my way to a meeting in Westford and did not stop, again due
    to heavy traffic.  I also saw the jet black kittie a few miles back
    closer to Northboro.  This is getting weird.  How are these animals
    surviving?
    
    Arlene

    What a morning!!!!!!!   I was driving in to work looking in the
    median strip for the cat.  Well to my surprise he was no longer
    in the median strip but on the Southbound side of the highway in
    the grass, off of the slow lane.  It through me off so I didn't
    get to stop quick enough.  I thought about it and said to myself,
    if I don't go back now, I may never see him again.  So I started
    to back up in the grass off of the breakdown lane.  So I'm backing
    up but had no idea what was under all of that grass.  Lots and lots
    of MUD and WATER.  My car slid right down into this big ditch, wheels
    totally buried in about 2 feet of mud and water.  I could barely
    get out of my car.  It was almost on it's side.  I finally made
    it out and just stood there for about 5 minutes staring at my car.
    I was about 1/2 mile before the 119 Littleton exit.  So I figured,
    better go get a tow truck.  Then some nice guy in a big 18 wheeler
    pulled over to help me.  I told him that I was off trying to do
    my good deed for the day and trying to rescue the cat about a half
    mile back.  He told me to put my car into neutral.  He hooked up
    a massive chain to my car and started to pull.  Well STUPID me didn't
    realize that my wheels would of course be locked since I just put
    the car in neutral and didn't start it up.  So he pulled me out
    but my car kept going straight, STRAIGHT into 495.  I layed on the
    horn and he stopped just in the nick of time before I got nailed
    by the on-comming traffic.   Phewww!  So he leaves and I start running
    down the highway trying to get to the cat.  I saw him and started
    to approach him slowly. I got to about 15 feet of him.  He had a
    big mouse hanging out his mouth.  He took one look at me and took
    off into the woods.  Probably thought I wanted to steal his breakfast.
    
    That's the last time I try something stupid like that.  I happy
    at least knowing that he isn't some poor cat stuck in the median
    strip on 495.  He looks wild and I don't think anyone is going to
    get near him.  He looks healthy (very dirty but healthy).  He obviously
    likes living near the highway and can make it across when he feels
    like it.  He has gone from the northbound side, to the median strip,
    and than over to the southbound side.  He could get to civilization
    now but choosed to stay by the highway.  Probably lots of mice and
    birds around there.  I don't recommend anyone trying this.  I think
    we should leave it up to the dog officer.  It's just too dangerous.
    
    I just pray that this cat is smart enough and doesn't get hit. 
    
    Pam

    What a morning, indeed!!
    
    What a valiant effort and thank heavens you're okay!!
    
    Jill
    
    p.s. What'cha going to do for Wednesday morning? :-)  Work must
    seem a little boring after all of this.
    

================================================================================
Note 3047.0                        cat on 495                          5 replies
ROYALT::FROST                                        13 lines  15-NOV-1989 09:03
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    On the way in to work this morning, I say the black and white cat on
    the meridian strip, DEAD.... I called the Police and they are going to
    have someone pick it up....
    
    What a TERRIBLE way to start the morning, the other day I noticed the
    cat in the meridian strip, I got out of my car, and crossed the highway
    trying to get the cat, of course he ran up further on the meridian
    strip toward Westford.... I was unable to get him... I have been on the
    lookout for him all week, and brought some food for him to give him
    when I saw him... I guess I won't need it now.....
    
    Hopefully he is up in heaven with all the other cats and dogs....
    
================================================================================
Note 3047.1                        cat on 495                             1 of 5
ROYALT::MORRISSEY "Draculette"                        4 lines  15-NOV-1989 09:36
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    	damn!
    
================================================================================
Note 3047.2                        cat on 495                             2 of 5
BAGELS::MATSIS                                        3 lines  15-NOV-1989 10:01
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    I can't believe it. I'm bumming now.
    
    Pam

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Note 3047.3                        cat on 495                             3 of 5
CRUISE::NDC "DTN: 297-2313"                           7 lines  15-NOV-1989 10:10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    That's so sad.  And after all your efforts.  Perhaps if you
    run into this situation again you can get a have-a-heart out
    there sooner.
    
    I see so many dead animals along rt 128 going to and from work
    that I don't even get angry anymore, just depressed.
      Nancy

================================================================================
Note 3047.4                        cat on 495                             4 of 5
JUPITR::SCOTT "Paula Beth"                            6 lines  15-NOV-1989 11:02
                                 -< Sniff... >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    That's such a sad ending...Ever since I read the first note,
    I've been on the alert for any other creatures that may be "trapped"
    in road divides.  
    
    In tears, Paula, Schnapps, Tequila and Ricochet
    
================================================================================
Note 3047.5                        cat on 495                             5 of 5
STOR06::DALEY                                        21 lines  15-NOV-1989 11:15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I also feel bad about the cat but the situation brings to mind some of the
    cats in my old neighborhood. I used to live in a house beside
    the railroad tracks and cats were ALWAYS coming to my house. I wanted
    to help all of them but what I found was that while some of the
    cats were friendly, not all of them were. Some were not just feral
    but they were wild. They never wanted to be touched by humans- they wanted
    only a hand-out of food (which they always got). But they were like
    any other wild animal - they were probably born in the wild, to
    parents also born wild, and while they looked like the sweetest
    creatures, they wanted NOTHING friendly to do with people. And no matter
    how hard I tried to tame them, it was impossible. Yes, it did break
    my heart because I kept thinking "pet", when in fact they would/could
    never tolerate being a "pet". They were like squirrels, raccoons, deer. 
                                                 
    Maybe the cat you saw could never be brought into a household situation
    and be happy. You tried to catch him and he ran away - maybe that
    was natures way of indicating he was wild. We will never know for
    sure- but you did what you could, and that is all that can be expected.
    Thanks for trying to help.

    I feel so sad.  I just saw the dear little guy yesterday afternoon.
    I guess that it was just a matter of time.  Poor little thing.
    
    Arlene

    I think at times like these, we have to recognize that there
    are limits to what we can do.  All you can do is make the best
    effort you can.  If the cat is feral, then you aren't going to
    be able to do all that much for it.  I don't mean to sound
    heartless, just realistic.  You shouldn't keep punishing yourself
    in situations like this.  Its possible that there really wasn't
    anything you could have done.
      Nancy DC
    

    I agree with Nancy.  Pam, you certainly did your best for this
    kittie and should feel good that you did!  Same for everyone else
    who watched for it and tried to help.
    
    We had a similar situation this last weekend on the way back from
    Pennsylvania.  A young (not baby) deer had been hit by a car and
    carried to the side of the road by someone.  When we came along,
    about 8 cars had stopped and the deer was standing by the side of
    the road surrounded by people.  Of course, having 3 animal lovers
    (and one future vet, hopefully) in the car, we stopped.  Bruce and
    Laurel immediately went back--I stayed in the car flashing our
    headlights at oncoming traffic to slow it down (to no avail).  Plus,
    I have to admit that I get too emotional about these things and
    didn't know if I could handle seeing a very hurt deer.
    
    Anyway, by the time I went back, Bruce and Laurel were petting it
    and checking it out.  It was bleeding on the nose and while we and
    3 hunters (they weren't after it) were trying to decide what to do,
    it started breathing funny--real liquidy sounding.  I said that, if
    they would stay with it, we would go and find the park ranger (we were
    in a National Forest).  We tried a few roads and finally found the
    ranger.  I tried to talk him into finding a vet but all he said was,
    "Lady, you're not making it any easier for me to do what I have to."
    Then he heard by radio that another ranger was already there.
    
    We were upset all the way home (Bruce still can't talk about it) but
    I figured that we did all we could.  My guess from the amount of damage
    done to the car that hit him was that he was hit broadside and probably
    suffering extensive internal bleeding and that, ultimately, the ranger
    probably curtailed his suffering.  
    
    Not to ramble--the point of all this was that, although I am still
    hurting from not being able to do more, I feel really good, not only
    that we did as much as we could in the circumstances, but that so many
    other people cared enough to stop.  
    
    So many of you feliners tried to help this kitty--and you should
    feel good that you cared and did your best!
    
    Barbara

    re: not being able to help
    
    That's what was behind the establishment of the Silver Lining Memorial.
    Its so very hard to watch someone suffering with a sick or dieing
    cat.  This way we can feel like we're able to do something good
    and helpful.
    
    If you want to name this little kitty, I'll put her in this quarter's
    SLM gift.
      Nancy DC

    I never heard of this Silver Lining Memorial.  Yes, I think that
    this little kittie should be named in the memorial.
    
    Arlene

    
    Oh yes Nancy what a good tribute to all who tried so hard to help
    the cat or cats involved in that.  Perhaps just "495 Kittie" would
    be a fitting reminder on the memorial to the people who tried so
    hard to help. 
    
    THose of us who were not close enough and could only add moral support
    and prayers would be so happy to have the courage and commmittment
    of all those wonderful people recognised that way!
    
    What a wonderful thought!
    
    Feline teary eyed!
    
    Sue & Panther & Spot
                        

    495 Kitty it is.
    
    re: .52  See note 2228 for a discussion of the SLM and how it
    came about.
      Nancy DC
    

    Thanks Nancy!
    
    Strange thing, I keep looking for him every day, thinking maybe
    it was another cat but I am sure it was the same cat.
    
    Pam

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Note 3061.0                    ANOTHER CAT ON 495                      3 replies
ROYALT::FROST                                        29 lines  17-NOV-1989 17:33
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Just to let everyone know, after seeing the kittie on 495 dead, I had
    a terrible morning, so at lunct time I had to go back to see it it was
    picked up.... I had called the Dog office that morning.... sure enough
    the cat was still there on the side of the road... 
    
    
    I had brought a bag and kimwipes and a box with me to put him in, I
    took him to the Westford Dog officer for him to dispose of him.. I
    couldn't see him run over by other cars, and not be picked up....
    
    
    
    Coming from Westford to get on the other side of 495 where the poor
    kitty was, Low and behold there was another black and white cat...
    
    so I pulled over and took the Tender Vittles I had for the other cat
    and climed up the steep hill past the bryer bushes, to try to catch
    the other cat, but he got away.... so I left the Tender Vittles for
    that cat....  I noticed the reason why the cats can't go anywhere
    is because there is a chain fense in the woods, I think it is too
    high for them to jump...  I hope they can dig under it, but I don't
    know about that.....
    
    HOPEFULLY we can rescue the other CAT!!!!!!
    
    Concerned
    Gloria Frost
    ROYALT::FROST
    
================================================================================
Note 3061.1                    ANOTHER CAT ON 495                         1 of 3
CIRCUS::KOLLING "Karen/Sweetie/Holly/Little Bit Ca."  2 lines  17-NOV-1989 19:25
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Good for you Gloria.  I wish i had a chain link wire cutters....
    
================================================================================
Note 3061.2                    ANOTHER CAT ON 495                         2 of 3
WR2FOR::HARPHAM_LY                                    9 lines  17-NOV-1989 19:52
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Gloria,
    
    Could you possibly get a Hav-a-Heart trap from your local SPCA,
    and see if you could entice the little guy with some yummies?  That
    might be the easiest way (and safest for you) to get him.
    
    Lynn
    
================================================================================
Note 3061.3                    ANOTHER CAT ON 495                         3 of 3
STOR06::DALEY                                         3 lines  19-NOV-1989 10:41
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Lots of times the local dog or animal control officers inthe 
    town have Hav-A-HArt traps.
    

    How about the name MERIDIAN???
    
    I think that is kind of appropriate and might stand for *all* the
    kittys we see on the sides of the roads.
    
    I was really upset about reading that the kitty is gone, but then it
    seems like there are more than one.  I don't live near where this is
    all going on, but have really kept abreast every day.  I guess I sorta
    knew that eventually we would read that the kitty didn't make it but I
    was hoping for a miracle.  
    
    The person that did stop and got stuck and still tried to save the
    kitty is one courageous person.  My hat is off to you.
    
    Sandi (mom to THUNDER, LIGHTNING, STORM & DEJAVU too
    

    
    	re: -.1
    
    	The term for the center strip on a highway is "Median".
    
    	Meridian is one of those longitudinal marks on a global map.
    
    	McQ
    

    
    	Sorry to say this, but I spotted a dead B&W kitty on the
    	median saturday, just below the Westford exit. She was 
    	white on the bottom, black mask and saddle. Poor thing.
    
    	Sherry
    

    I just read all 59 replies.....I don't like unhappy endings.  
    
    The next time I see a kittie on the highway, I'll be sure to stop even
    if I'm in a hurry.  

    re: .60 - Just be VERY VERY careful.  I have stopped on the median
    strip of 495 to try and catch a black and white cat.  Unfortunately
    the cat bolted before I could get anywhere near it.  I suspect
    that some of them are feral.
      Nancy DC