This morning, I came to school and settled in my usual corner to hang out for the day until my class starts. The building is almost completely empty, as most of the summer classes were only six weeks and have ended already. So I'm just procrastinating and doing nothing productive, and someone comes in with this kitten. A baby tabby kitten, no more than one or two weeks old! Eyes were still closed and he was meowing up a storm. He was found in the bushes outside of the building after being heard now and then for the last two days.
So we were trying to figure out what to do for the little guy, as his mother was nowhere to be seen. An officer I know suggested we put him back to see if the mother would come back, but then we realized that because he was covered in human scent, putting him back would most likely lead to abandonment. I was the only student hanging around in the lobby, so I kept him with me to make sure he was okay while we thought of what to do. He seemed to be trying to find food, like I was his mother, so we warmed up some milk and tried to give it to him, but he wouldn't take it. I wanted to take him home myself, but I was sure my parents would not accept and considering how young he is, he needed round-the-clock care, which I and my family are currently unable to give. Now, one of the girls that works at a small coffee cart has experience working in an animal shelter and has worked with mother cats and their babies in the past, so she has the knowledge and means to take care of him. So it was agreed that she and her girlfriend would take him in.
They took him to a doctor to get him looked at, and as we thought, he had been abandoned for about two days and was in danger of dying at a 50/50 chance, depending on if he would start eating or not. Took a little bit of work, but he did eat, downed two and a half bottles, and is now sleeping, so he should recover and grow stronger. He has been named Pharaoh Gypsy Jones, or baby Pharaoh for short.
I had started out with a morning that was going in its usual routine, not feeling enthusiastic or motivated for anything, especially studying. Then comes this little baby that lightens my mood significantly. Animals, especially cats, have always lifted my mood when I wasn't feeling my best. I no longer have any pets, and my family can't really afford to care for one right now, but after I move out on my own, I want to adopt a kitten of my own when I can afford to care for one. In my opinion, pets are so much better than any medication that can be prescribed, because animals don't judge, and when you have one that's a part of your family, it will love you no matter what the situation is.