Do you know anyone in Western Japan (Kansai) who can adopt an adorable homeless kitty?
Rather than take the train all the way home as usual from the university, I decided to get off in the city (Osaka) and walk for an hour or so through town before getting back on the train to go home to Nara. While I was walking I began to have a weird feeling like something bad was going to happen. You know, like something was wrong at home, or I was about to witness an accident or something on the street. I called home; no problems. I did not give it another thought. Then, five minutes later while passing through Osaka Castle park on this blustery late spring day, I notice a small commotion on the street up a head. When I get there I see a tiny kitten in the middle of the street being attacked by crows just as a kind gentleman had stopped his car in the middle of the street to scare the crows away.
I picked up the little kitten who was crying out and put her in my arms. She was shaking and crying out. She did not seem to be injured from the crows except for an eye infection (or perhaps the left eye has only recently opened; she's young). The kind man who stopped his car suggested I put the kitten (about two weeks old according to the pet shop staff we took her to) into the bushes away from the crows who were still circling above and hanging out in the trees. Perhaps the mother would come to get her. Maybe, I said, but I do not see any mother and this kitten is not likely to survive the night even if the crows do not attack her. She is cold and terribly hungry by the looks of it. So having no choice, I instantly call my wife to tell her I am bringing another cat home (we have two rescued from a shelter years ago). We can not have another cat I thought, but I can't just abandon this little girl either. So we can can be foster parents for a while I thought. Today was a bit cold so I luckily wore a sweater. I took that off to wrap up the little kitten and headed for the nearest subway for the 30-min ride back home. I must have looked pretty strange holding that black sweater with this cute little head poking our of it. I certainly got a lot of stares (ie, more than usual). When I get home we called the pet shop to ask what we needed (we knew cow's milk is no good for kittens). The store already closed 30 minutes before, but the staff stayed there another 20 minutes more until my wife could get there and buy some kitten formula and a proper kitten bottle feeder. They were very helpful and gave us some good advice. Just another example of how wonderful customer service can be in Japan. I know it seems odd to to say, but it was very strange timing that I run in to this kitty at that moment. One minute sooner or later and I would never have seen the kitten. It is almost like it was destiny that I happened upon her. Right now she is sleeping next to me as I type this on my laptop. She drank a bit of formula, washed herself a bit (a good sign) and curled up between me and that same back sweater. So, I have a favor, if you know of anyone in the Kansai area of Japan who would like to adopt this beautiful little female kitten, please have them send a message to info@garrreynolds.com or just send me a private tweet (in English or 日本語).
