Clover

It breaks my heart to see a cat, especially a kitten, cowering in fear when I approach it in the tree. I feel so sorry for the little creature to be in the position of being unable to escape and forced to face, in his mind, the terror of a deadly attack by a predator. That is what I saw when I approached this small kitten hiding and trembling in the main union of a very large Oak tree. The tiny gray tabby had settled in an excellent hiding place there where two very large branches of the oak tree diverged and formed a comfortable, safe bowl between them about 25 feet high. She was safe there and well-hidden from view with plenty room to stretch out and sleep without any fear of falling. But then I poked my ugly head into the opening where I could see her, and she cowered, backed up a few inches, and held her head down so she could not see me, and then her body began to shake.

I did my best to reassure her, but she was slow to be convinced. Her trembling didn't stop until she discovered the taste of a squeeze-tube treat when I squeezed a few drops in front of her. Her nose quickly lead her to it, and her tongue took over after that. Still, she was afraid of my hand, and she backed away every time it came near her. It took some time, but she eventually licked some of the treat off my finger and let me touch her head. She was clearly very uncomfortable and nervous about being touched, but, after some more time, I was able to pet her head and body.

At that point, I put the cat bag on my arm and tried to pet her again, but she seemed to sense the bag on that hand and retreated from me. I had to work with her several more minutes and empty another squeeze tube before she finally came close enough for me to reach her. When I touched her, she began to back away, so I had to grab her by the scruff quickly so I could get her inside the bag. She didn't fight or cry, but once she was settled inside the bag, she cried while I held her and tried to reassure her that she was safe.

Neighbors Nicole and Bryan discovered the kitten late in the previous evening when they heard her crying loudly. She was poking her cute face out of the same spot in the tree and crying loudly in all directions for her mama. How and when she got there is a mystery. They tried to find out if she belonged to anyone nearby, but no owner was ever found. Instead of being at home playing with her siblings and enjoying the love and security of her mama, she was stuck here all alone in a tree in a strange, scary territory where her mama could not hear her cry.

We don't know where her home is, so we can't return her there, but she has found comfort and security in a new home with Bryan and his family at least temporarily. They are discussing keeping her and have already taken her to the veterinarian where she was found to be healthy although a little under-weight and dehydrated. Her age was estimated to be three weeks. Until she is given a name, I will just call her Clover, and I hope she never has to experience that trembling fear again.