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Gemma

6/30/2013

16 Comments

 
Picture
Meet Gemma.  

Gemma is a gorgeous tabby kitten who is just about a year old.  She was picked up by my friend, Frank, yesterday morning.  He had noticed her and her kitten in the lot behind my husband's warehouse and noted that Momma cat had a badly injured paw.

Being that Frank's got a heart the size of Texas when it comes to furballs, he set traps to catch Mom and baby to get them checked by the Camden County Animal Shelter.  He was successful in catching them, but Momma cat's prognosis was very, very poor.

Frank took Gemma to another vet who was willing to take on her case.  She'd been viciously attacked and was likely trying to defend her kitten against a wild animal.  While she was able to spare her kitten, it looks like she lost her arm in the process.

As a result, the 2nd vet told Frank that he'd either have to amputate her arm or put her to sleep on account of the infection that was caused by multiple bites.  

This poor, sweet mama had sacrificed herself to save her helpless little kitten.  

Frank, unable to afford surgery and not sure if euthanasia was the best recourse, took Gemma to me.  Right now, she's in my bathroom.  Being Sunday, there are no vets open to take her.  I've tried to make her as comfortable as possible, but the wounds are just too much.  She's become incredibly weak due to the infection and pain.

It breaks my heart, but at this juncture, I certainly don't have $2,500 to spend amputating her paw.  However, I'd like to make a plea to all my readers out there.  

First, please say some prayers for Gemma and all those lost, hungry and hurting strays that have no homes.  These, too, are God's creatures and He loves them, too.

Secondly, please spay / neuter your pets.  Please.

Third, if you can spare a dollar or two, please consider donating to Gemma's fund.  I'm not sure, exactly, how to set one up yet (I'm looking into it), but if you would like to help cover Gemma's expenses up to date ($180) and the cost of her surgery, Frank and I would be so appreciative.  She's a really sweet girl who deserves a second chance - especially after heroically protecting the little life she'd been given charge over.

Some of her wounds are pictured below.  I tried making that smaller so those of you who aren't the best with blood aren't too offended...

Picture
Some of her wounds
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Part of her ear is gone
Like I said, she's a surprisingly sweet little girl for being both feral and in incredible amounts of pain.  It's what led me to her name.  St. Gemma bore the stigmata and bore those Wounds with patience and love.  This little Gemma seems to be made of the same stuff.

Truth is, however, is that little Gemma is not long for this world unless we are able to do something to save her.  That would require immediate amputation, and the funds to procure that amputation.  

Please considering donating today.  I've got a PayPal account ([email protected]), but I'm not entirely sure how to set it up so you guys can see I'm not putting donations into my "Gina wants Ice Cream every night for a year" fund.  I promise, however, that any funds noted as "For Gemma" will not be used for anything BUT Gemma's expenses.

In my 4 years doing this, my husband and I have been able to rescue and place 70 kittens/cats.  Gemma makes 71.  I don't want her to be the first one we lose.  She's too beautiful a creature.  So pray for a miracle, please, specifically asking her namesake to pull a few ropes.

Special thanks to Frank for going out of his way on the weekend (and for paying out of pocket!) to see this Momma cat get help.  We need more people like you in the world!

Also, for those of you looking for a happy bit of news after reading this, you'll be thrilled to know Frank adopted Gemma's kitten.  Originally, he named the kitten "Han Solo."  After the vet gave Han the once-over, Frank realized the kitten was a girl, so he renamed her "Hope Solo."  And as you can see from this picture, she couldn't be happier with her new daddy:
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Let's give Hope a chance to grow up with her Mommy!
UPDATE:  I'm currently trying to get Gemma set up on PetChance.com so folks feel more confident that I'm not funding my obsession for Cherry Garcia.  

Also, thanks to S. Weller for being the very first donation!  You are wonderful!!!



UPDATE #2:  I am heartbroken to report that Gemma has passed away.  After being checked again by the vet, it was decided that her infection had spread too much and she was too weak for surgery.  Thus, the only humane thing to do was put the darling to sleep. Frank was there with her and consented to carry this heartbreak, himself.  

Thank you to all who donated.  Donations totaled $115.  Total cost of Gemma's visits and medications was $180.  The vet who euthanized Gemma did not charge us (BLESS HER!). Thus, Frank and I only had to put forth a manageable $32.50 each.

THANK YOU.  Thank you for helping us help Gemma cross the Rainbow Bridge.  While we wish we could have seen her live a long and healthy life on earth, we are comforted to know she's pain-free and being cuddled by Christ.

You're all in my prayers.  Christian or not, each one of you who prayed, shared or donated proved you have a deep and universal love that I am humbled by and grateful for.  So again, thank you and bless you for your generosity. 

<3

P.S. - Hope Solo is doing great!  She is adjusting nicely and is quite the balm for Frank's heart right now!
16 Comments
Cat Cole
7/1/2013 02:56:18 am

Hi! I learned about Gemma from Tripawds' FB post. I had a black lab, Charlie, who was a Tripawd due to bone cancer. They do incredibly well on three legs! Maybe you can get "A newly created page for special needs animals" to post your story too? They feature several members' animals every day and have very supportive fans.

Since I shared my life with a Tripawd and I also rescued a feral momma and her babies, your story touches me in many ways. Gemma is a hero kitty, and is so lucky to have you. I hope she can get that leg off ASAP and continue on the road to recovery and a long, happy life.

Reply
jeannine
7/1/2013 08:51:22 am

I'm not Gemma's rescuer but was helping by sending out requests for re-posts to FB pages - I will sent them a PM right now - thank you for the suggestion!

~Jeannine

Reply
Gina
7/1/2013 05:38:40 pm

Thank you for spreading the word, Jeannine!

Gina
7/1/2013 05:39:35 pm

Awww... Cat Cole - you are WONDERFUL! Thank YOU for being so wonderful to those animals you've saved. Wish the world had more people like you in it. <3

Reply
Shelley
7/1/2013 09:02:43 am

Did you know that Hope Solo is the name of the goalie on the women's world cup soccer team?

Reply
Gina
7/1/2013 05:40:18 pm

Ha ha - I had no idea. I don't know if Frank knows that, either! I'll have to ask!

Reply
Gina
7/23/2013 05:03:52 pm

Shelley,

She WAS named for the soccer player! :) I confirmed it with Frank on Friday. Good call. I'd've never made the connection.

Linda
7/1/2013 10:45:15 am

There is a site called GIVEFORWARD.COM that you can utilize to fundraise that may help spread the word better. Just a thought. Best of luck with this.

Reply
Linda
7/1/2013 02:31:29 pm

What will you do if you raise some money but not the $2500?

I prefer to donate when I know the money has already been spent.

Reply
Gina
7/1/2013 05:42:16 pm

Hi Linda - thanks for asking and suggesting the GiveForward place. I honestly never had to raise money for a foster before, so it's all a learning curve for me. This is good to know if, God forbid, I'm ever faced with another emergency case.

As for what I'd've done with excess donations, they would've gone to the Camden County Animal Shelter. I foster from them a lot and they've taken on a lot of my tougher cases. They do fantastic work there and really take pride in caring for these forgotten darlings.

Thanks for asking! Bless you!

Reply
Linda
7/2/2013 02:22:12 pm

so sorry to hear that poor little Gemma didn't make it but at least she is no longer in pain. I was the first Linda that commented about the GiveForward site, not the second one. I'm glad my donation helped defray a small bit of the cost. God Bless you and Frank

Cat Cole
7/1/2013 02:56:55 pm

How is she doing?

Reply
Gina
7/1/2013 04:36:25 pm

Hi all,

I've updated the blog entry, itself, so those still coming across this page via FB threads, Twitter links, etc can know all the details.

This sweet little girl lost her battle against the infection. Frank, with a heavy heart, made sure she crossed the Rainbow Bridge in peace. Thanks to your generosity and sharing of her story, we were able to raise $115. Frank and I only ended up paying a managable $32.50 each out of pocket (her expenses totalled $180).

So thank you guys again for spreading the word, praying and donating. Together, we were able to give Gemma a foretaste of Heaven by showing her a bit of love and dignity in her final days.

Bless you all. I'm honestly sitting here crying both for Gemma and because I'm so immensely touched that you all reached out in such a way to help this tiny creature. You're all in my prayers tonight. All of you. Thank you.

<3

Reply
Cat Cole
7/2/2013 01:58:39 am

I am so sad that she didn't make it. I was really pulling for her. Thank you and Frank for showing her love and caring, and for letting her pass peacefully.

Reply
S. Weller
7/2/2013 05:21:19 am

Thank you both for caring for this little girl. At least she was safe and warm and comforted at the end.

Reply
Dom
7/6/2013 03:26:00 pm

She died in a warm place, with people who loved her, and without the kind of pain and torment that she would have had otherwise. That in itself is a huge gift, Gina. Never mind the fact that the baby she gave up her life to protect is now safe and adored. Don't you think that is worth celebrating, even through the tears?

You gave her that. Don't you for one moment think you failed her. <3

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