Many cats live the life of Riley, enjoying absolutely everything that life has to offer. They have a loving home, plenty of food and any help that they may need medically. When they are part of a forever home, they also become part of the family and in many cases, they are never far from the side of their humans. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case with all cats and sometimes, we hear about instances when cats may suffer a variety of problems because they are on the street.
That was the case with Gertrude, a cat who was found by a passerby after being attacked by a group of vicious dogs. After being found, she was taken to a California organization known as Compassion without Borders. They are trying to rescue dogs in Mexico and this little cat fell under their care. After being attacked by the dogs, she had severe injuries and it was necessary to operate immediately. When they operated, they were surprised to find out that she was pregnant but because of her injuries, she lost all of the kittens.
The vet was able to save Gertrude’s life and she started her recovery but it seemed as if there was something missing; her unborn kittens. A week after the surgery, there was another animal that came into the clinic and she seemed to fill that little hole in Gertrude’s heart.
It was a puppy named Clementine who was abandoned at the clinic with three other puppies from the same litter. They were sick, without a mother and experiencing a variety of problems. Clementine was the only puppy that survived.
When Gertrude met Clementine, it seemed as if there was something special. One day, the manager walked by Gertrude’s cage with the puppy in her arms. That is when Gertrude reacted in a way that nobody expected.
“Gertrude would approach the front on the cage and start chirping. She would also kind of head butt and press again the cage,” said Christi Camblor, the cofounder of Compassion Without Borders.
A mother cat will often chirp to her kittens to communicate with them. Gertrude’s motherly instincts were kicking in when she saw that little puppy. The bond happened almost immediately. Gertrude would care for the puppy like a mother would, bathing her and snuggling with her. It was just like seeing a mother and daughter.
Gertrude was quite happy with Clementine nearby. It seems as if Clementine was able to fill the void in her life and she became a surrogate mother.
A few weeks later, both of the animals were moved to a foster home. They would be cared for until they were ready for adoption and they were inseparable.
If the dog is away for any length of time, Gertrude will begin crying. Clementine will also whine if Gertrude is out of sight.
“I think the whole thing is surprising. Even if she hadn’t been attacked by dogs, I personally, in all my years of rescue, haven’t seen that kind of interspecies connection before,” said Christi.
We’re glad these two found each other. They really make a cute pair.