Bumper

by Marie Cubillos

It was August 18th, the morning so far had been typical, I had gotten up early to put my fourteen dogs (most of which I have rescued) through their morning routine before I had to leave. I set out to pick up my mother-in-law so she could accompany me to a doctors appointment, one of many sense my disabling back injury a year and a half ago. Needless to say, I had no idea that Bumper was literally going to be thrown into my life this day.

It was around 8:30 am, and traffic was moving along about 35 - 40 mph. It was the first day back to school for all the kids in our area, so traffic was heavier than usual this morning. As I traveled down the four lane road, I noted that the van in front of me was occupied by a woman with some children, probably on her way to drop them off at school.

Passing me to my left was another van, as it passed to the left of the van in front of me, someone ( I wish not to put this person in the HUMAN race) threw a kitten out the window right into the path of the other van. Time seemed to go so slow as I watched this poor kitten flying through the air. Of course the woman at the wheel of the van in front of me had no time to react before the kitten was under her vehicle. I had come to a stop when I saw the kitten coming out the window, now it lay on the pavement, it’s small body flopping and jerking in the lane. I remained in the lane and thrust my truck into park. I climbed out as fast as I could, terrified that the kitten would work it’s way into the other lane and certain death if I did not get to it in time. As I picked the small kitten from the street, it’s body was still convulsing and blood poured from it’s nose and mouth. One eye was closed and the other was rolled up in it’s socket. As I climbed back into my truck I kept saying hang in there little girl as I tried to comfort her. Then as times like this before, I prayed for God to help.

I pulled out of traffic and took some napkins and started cleaning her mouth and nose of the blood. As an experienced Vet Tech., and also having been involved with rescue for so long, I quickly felt for broken bones. I thanked God when I didn’t find any. She still lay semi-stiff in my lap but the convulsions had stopped. I continued on to my mother-in-laws and as I pulled into the drive, the kitten began to stir in my lap. I carried her in and placed her on warm towels, and was able to get the bleeding to stop.

Checking once again for broken bones and finding none, I left her to rest in a basket.

I brought her home and kept a close vigil on her through the night. By the next morning, when I approached her she hissed at me, but with a little coaxing came close for me to rub. I knew it was asking a lot for this little one to trust a human again. It was a miracle that the only marks from her near death experience was slight swelling on one side of her face and bruising on her mouth and nose. I offered her some food and she eagerly dived in, so I knew she was going to be all right.

I decided to name her bumper, she is at the most 8 weeks old, just a baby . She is a beautiful black and white with golden eyes, so sweet and loving. Understandably, she is terrified of being picked up. I am hopeful she will over come this as she learns to trust again. For now she is content with running out to greet me with a soft meow as her little paws constantly knead the rug beneath her and she rubs up against my legs . I still have not let her out to play with the other rescued cats yet, as I want to make sure that she is not to sore for the playing I am sure they will want to do. At least she can rest assured of one thing, she will never have to worry about being mistreated again. Not as long as I can help it!

Having been involved with animal rescue for some time now, and having seen the results of so much abuse, I still can not imagine what type of "animal" would do such a thing to such a helpless baby, surely the "things" that could do this and the other abuse I have seen can not be HUMAN. Through my tears and in my rush to render aid to her that morning, I didn’t get the license number of "either" of the vehicles that dreadful day. Yes, I said "either", you see the woman in the van that ran her over didn’t stop to see if she could help her, so in my book that is just as bad. No, I did not get the license number, but I believe that someone is in charge of these kind of things in heaven, and that some day people who abuse the innocent will be brought to justice in a higher court. Until then, hopefully there will always be people like me and other rescuers willing to pick up the pieces and to mend the broken that they leave behind.

Rescue work is never an easy job, at times it is so heart wrenching. Knowing that as much as you would like to, you can’t save them all. You keep hoping for more funds to help or more land so you would have more room. Some leave you having nightmares and feeling so helpless and angry because they were to far gone to save, and the only way you could help them was to ensure their passing was peaceful and came gently as you held them and comforted them in their last moments…..and then you cry.

But, I’ll never give up, I am ever so hopeful that tomorrow will be a brighter day. That tomorrow maybe I will win the lottery so I can help more………I could build more………I could cover more medical………That I could educate more………That I could make the public more aware………That I……….

About the Author:

Marie Cubillos and her husband reside on 5 acres in a small town outside of Houston Texas. There they run a no kill animal shelter. Marie is experienced as a Vet Tech., and trains dogs professionally to help fund the shelter. Training for the rescued dogs is offered free to the adoptive families along with reinforcement training for the animal if ever needed. This helps to ensure that the animal will remain in their new home. All animals adopted out are welcome to return to the shelter if the need arises. Unfortunately, some animals rescued have been to emotionally scared from abuse to be adopted out and must reside permanently at the shelter. As with all animal rescue shelters, donations are badly needed and greatly appreciated. If you can help please call Marie at 979-387-4235, or write to us at 819 Hamlink Road, Beasley Texas, 77417. Thank you.