My Cat Marmalade

by Claire Lowe
(Castleford)

My story begins when we rescued Marmalade from a shelter, he (so we were told) was only 7 weeks old and had been abandoned. We soon discovered he was infact a she! We called her Marmalade because of her beautiful orange/ginger fur.

Marmalade was always loving and fitted in with her family really well, she was spoilt rotten, I got her a pink soft kennel and a glittery collar. She was best mates with a large furry ginger tom called George next door.

He had been done so so when I discovered Marmalade was expecting I did wondered who had done the deed. We have another tabby cat that visits us often, he is really cute with short stubby legs.

I hadn't notice Marmalade had even been in heat, so poor love must of been her first time. The night she went into labour I was all ready with a warm bed and blanket at hand.

It was 6pm and I quickly got the kids to bed, she cried alot and followed me around until I settled her done in her bed. With every cry she looked at me, I really felt for her but I responded with soft words which I'm sure she understood.

At 8pm the first kitten was born, she really yelped and out came a little tabby girl we named her Mindy. I thought that was it, she got on with cleaning and feeding her baby. All crying had stopped.

Until an hour later it started again and very quickly a larger ginger tom came, we named him Mork! She was brilliant, first time mum going it like a pro. I didn't have to assit, just talk softly and watch.

Marmalade moved her kittens everywhere, but didn't mind me stroking her and the kittens. On the 10th day Marmalade wanted to go out, she hadn't asked before and just used the litter tray. So I let her out, I know to this day wish I hadn't.

Marmalade never returned, my next door neighbour said maybe she abandoned them, I didn't think so as she never left them. I even recorded the kittens crying her and played it outside. I rang the council and local vets but no sign. I put up pictures and signs but nothing.

I had to ring the Vets helpline who suggested that I use a biro pen tube to feed droplets into there months of baby formula, which luckly I had. The following morning I bought a bottle and proper milk. I researched for hours and learnt what I needed to do.

I fed them every two hours, which they took really well for 10 days old. I was aware that they could die. I had to wipe their bottoms to help them wee and poo. I had to bath them which they didn't mind as they were born with fleas.

A few days later after I had stood shouting outside for Marmalade I had a phone call, from who I don't know, but she told me that some blokes with dogs that hang around here had been into my garden, put Marmalade under their coat and took her to the woods and fed her to there dogs.

She heard them egging the dogs on. I rang the RSPCA and then found her curled up in the woods, and a postmortum revealed she was savaged by dogs. They are prosecuting the lad that stole her. The police are also involved.

Once the case has been to court we can have Marmalade back so she can be buried. The lads had the footage on their phones, and have since found out Marmalade was about the 5 cat to die like this.

I could go to work, and fed them all night. I couldn't give them up, I had to do it for Marmalade. They are now 8.5 months old and are amazing. They love each other to bits. Mork is a large ginger tom and looks the image of Marmalade, and Mindy is a tabby, with ginger strips. She is small and has stubby legs (know who the father is now, our visitor).

Unfortunately they are not allowed outside due to the cruel people in this world, but are healthy and happy.

I'll never forget Marmalade and I am so happy I could raise her babies for her. The court case hasn't been yet, but one day they'll get there deserved.