What IS THAT in the middle of the highway? I didn’t even have time to ask myself that question as I yanked my Gladiator to the right side of the highway and threw it into park.
It was Thursday, November 28th (2024), and I was barreling down Highway 19 headed to Waimea from our home in Paauilo. My To Do list was endless and I was rolling through the hours-long schedule in my mind. I came around a slight corner, and there, on the yellow center strip, was a teeny tiny cream-colored kitten!
He was so tiny he couldn’t even walk. OMG…everything happened so quickly. I remember the truck behind me swerving around me, just missing my back left quarter panel! I jumped out of the running Jeep, arms open wide to stop on-coming traffic, praying that the little creature hadn’t been mowed over by that truck. I was scared to even look at what I was sure was left of the little guy. Thankfully, he was still squirming around. So, I scooped him up and ran back to my Jeep
We sat there together, catching our breath, as I tried to comprehend what had just happened. Now what? I asked myself. I was heading into Waimea, so it would be easy to pull into Vet Associates to purchase Kitten Formula. Will they have a box I can put him in for safe travels? I wondered.
Less than 20 minutes later, supplies in hand, we continued on, taking care of the most critical items on my To Do list. This kitten was very content just to sit in my lap and come with me on my most critical errands.
Dune, named after the color of sand dunes and the beloved cat of a dear friend, immediately had my heart. Pat and I didn’t need another pet on our property – he reminds me of this almost daily. We have 19 pets including a horse, goats, dogs, cats, and a flock of chickens. I don’t think the chickens should even be counted but, Pat says, “As long as we have to pay for their care, even the chickens count.” (OK!!!)
But, finding a home for Dune was never an option! I loved him from the moment I scooped him off the highway. I feel he is my Christmas Miracle – a gift from God above. Five more minutes on that busy highway would have sent him straight to heaven. Instead, he was sent into my arms. We are so bonded and Dune is very grateful, as shown by the amazingly loud purrs that erupt from his tiny throat the second I pick him up. Sometimes, it doesn’t really matter how many pets your property holds. There is always room for one more, especially when it is your Christmas miracle!
