Dancer Darling Claus

Some of you might remember the lovely foster litter we had over Christmas- the Claus family. I got some sad news today about Dancer.

When we take the kittens back, I watch them online via the adoption listings. When a kitten is taken off the list, I choose to believe that means they have been adopted. To the best of my knowledge, that has been true so far. We had asked to only be notified of a kitten that is sick or put to sleep if it has potential consequences for Fui and Suey. In a high kill shelter, the alternative could be too difficult, especially as we had only recently lost the Blossoms and Seamus.

While I was dropping Apollo off today for his hoohaectomy, one of the people let slip what had happened to Dancer.

We live in Far North Queensland, which means it gets very hot and steamy. Any kind of smell is magnified. To help with air flow, and to keep the animals comfortable, a lot of the shelter is open to the air. Rather than solid walls, there is a lot of metal mesh type stuff. This keeps things cooler, and helps keep smells down.

There is a flaw in this kind of arrangement that I never realised. One day a short while ago, we had had a lot of rain. The shelter chose that day not to open, because a lot of the roads were closed, and the vet couldn't get out there. Blitzen had been adopted earlier, so Dasher and Dancer were placed together in one of the central holding cages, where they are more secure than the adoption cages (the shelter has had incidents of animal thefts in recent times). The next morning when they went to get them out, Dash raced out, and Dancer was nowhere to be found. There was a dirty big snake in the cage though. The snake had attacked and eaten Dancer, and Dasher had broken his paw while spending the night fighting it off. They were going to euthanise Dash, but one lady insisted on paying his medical bills. It turned out to not be a bad break, and he was adopted a few days later by a family who knew what had happened.

I wish I had have given her extra cuddles and kisses, and played with her more. I am just crushed thinking how scary it must have been for her and Dasher. I wish I had have been there and could have helped her.

Dancer was such a pretty, darling girl. She loved snuggles and kisses, and was mad about the furry rat wand toy. She was always first to dinner, and kept herself so clean and tidy. Though she was the smallest of the Claus family, she could regularly be found doing her very best to pin Dash and Blitzen. I know that the Blossoms and Seamus will be taking good care of her. I just wish that they didn't have to yet.Dancer, you are loved, and you always will be loved. We will see you at the Bridge and hold you tight one day.

I would also like to ask for your purrs for Polly Smitten-Kitten. She is staying overnight to be checked by the vet, as she has not been very well. I'm very worried about her. Hopefully I will be able to pick her up tomorrow.