I was in Manila to take care of some business. It's not my favourite city in the world and to be honest, if I don't have to go there, I would prefer not to go there. Nonetheless, I was there walking up San Miguel Avenue in the Ortigas district of Manila. I was walking to a restaurant to get some food after a long day of doing this and that.
As I was walking towards the restaurant, in a small road island was a cat, who decided to meow at me as I walked by. This cat, who I decided to name San Michelle, was starving — literally starving as the pictures below will show. She was skin and bones and her cry for food touched me right in my soft spot... my heart.
So, I went to the local supermarket, bought 250 grams of beef (1/2 pound) and went back to feed her. Of course, by the time I got back, it's possible she would no longer be there. However, my gut feeling said she would still be there.
When I got back, I called her and she came. I put the beef down and the rest, is as they say, history.
I would love to rescue this cat. But I have no way of getting her to my house. I can't put her on the plane nor the boat. She would have to go through quarantine to get to my house and there is a chance, they wouldn't let her through quarantine unless she was healthier. The reality is, after I leave to go home, she might die from starvation. But hopefully this meal will give her enough strength to catch some bigger meals. There is little I can do but feed her while here. So for the next five days, I will share a little bit of love with this cat.
I already have some chicken for her as I bought some chicken when I bought the beef. I wasn't too sure if she would like beef or chicken, but I suspected that because she is so hungry that she would eat whatever was put in front of her.
She ate almost all of the beef. She probably ate about 180 grams of beef. After she was done eating, she had a really nice stretch, then rubbed her face on the wall, came close to me and looked me straight in the eyes. She was a happy little putty cat as you will see in the pictures.
Truly, a wonderful cat and one that I would love to rescue and take home to be with me and my other rescued cats. But there is just nothing I can but share the love.
The next morning I went back to the same location but she was gone. I walked around looking for her but I could not find her. I am not sure where she went but at least I was able to provide one good meal.
I encourage you to do the same when the opportunity presents itself — share the love.
