I've been waiting for ages to slot this sad image into a Blog Post and today I came upon this heart-warming story in The Namibian:
A KITTEN had the adventure of a lifetime when it stowed away in the chassis of a 4x4 travelling through the Kaokoveld, to Windhoek and finally to Germany where it now lives with two other cats in Munich.
Wolgang Morhart was on a self-drive tour of Namibia at the end of January 2011 and on the way from Otavi to Orupembe, after driving about 90 kilometres on a dirt road, he stopped to stretch his legs.
When he got out of the car he heard a whining noise coming from under the car and immediately investigated. He found a dusty little kitten clinging to the undercarriage of the Land Cruiser.
He took the shivering kitten, immediately named Kaoko, into the cabin and continued his journey.
Little Kaoko was starving and devoured the macaroni and mince Morhart had for dinner. That night Morhart woke up with Kaoko sitting on his chest. After a while he pressed himself tightly against Morhart and shivered, and the next moment an elephant trumpeted close by.
Kaoko loved to be in the car and together the two of them travelled for three weeks through Namibia.
“I have cats and I am used to getting the odd mouse as a present, but Kaoko brought me a scorpion the one evening,” says Morhart.
After returning to Windhoek Morhart stayed here for two more weeks and Kaoko did not leave his side, which made Morhart decide to take him back to Germany.
“I tried to find a suitable home for him here but he would not leave my side so I though we were meant to be together.”
He inquired about the red tape involved in taking a cat from Namibia to Germany, and the process eventually took six months.
“It was a long fight, lots of money and the help of good friends and people who made it possible for Kaoko to finally land in Munich,” says Morhart.
On August 18 Kaoko landed in Munich and although he was a bit drowsy he immediately recognised Morhart, climbed onto his lap and did not leave his sight.
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I always like a good cat yarn :)
ReplyDeleteI need a tissue! I so loved this post. What a great story. And the poor little kitty in the photo, awwww--just want to pick it up and take it home!
ReplyDeleteMost unfair Graham, you'll have us all dribbling uncontrollably for hours after reading this... Even dog lovers won't be able to resist the story. The idea of clinging underneath a car and surviving is by itself a story worth telling...
ReplyDeleteCaroline
This is a beautiful story and most touching. I just can't share it with my sons. Ever since they were little, they always wanted to take home kittens they found that needed care. And my answer was always, guess what, no. Their determination is getting stronger by the day, as they become men, soon, the red tape will be tattered, I may have to move out and it will be a story in The Malaysian.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your story, I really did, I hope we'll get to hear Kaoko story in Germany, sorry I got temporary drifted with my own:)
What a heartwarming story. Wolfgang must have been a loving man because I find that cats won't go to a "bad person". I'm glad they ended up together. The photo of the kitten is so touching too.
ReplyDeleteStory of rescue and friendship. I'm not a cat person and neither was my brother until he decided he need some rodent help at his place in the woods. Now I think he like his cat as much (more?) than his dogs.
ReplyDeleteOh Graham it is so heart warming to hear stories like that. You hear so many bad ones of people drowning unwanted kittens or pups, or even throwing them from the car. I know a friend who found a whole litter starving at the bottom of a large hole. Luckily for them they were found in time and were all saved.
ReplyDeleteGreat story and a great photo to go with it. Have a good day. Diane
hehe ... yes Monica ... especially when they have happy endings ... :)
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a touching story hey Kittie - I hope the poor creature in the picture also found a loving home ...
ReplyDeleteyes, you're right Caroline ... it's amazing that the cat was able to stay stuck under the car ... I find, the older I get, the easier it is to bring tears to my eyes ... :)
ReplyDeleteHehehe Fazlisa ... well, I hope that if you're forced to move out of your home someday and someone finds you under their car - that that person is also kind hearted and takes you home ... :)
ReplyDeleteYes indeed Penny - cats are very particular about who they become friends with ...
ReplyDeleteHehe lisleman - I'm glad your brother 'saw the light' -- you don't have a rodent problem hey?
ReplyDeleteThanks Diane - my all time favourite cat, Fungus, was found abandoned in a box by Meg, my eldest daughter ... sadly, the other kitten that was with him in the box didn't make it ...
ReplyDeleteTake me home to a home without a cat :)
ReplyDeleteoh such a wonderful story Graham and I love the picture. I miss my cat so....
ReplyDeleteHi Graham .. what a beautiful story .. just delightful to read about .. and I sure hope Kaoko is extremely happy and settled by now.
ReplyDeleteI've just come over from Judy Croome's blog where she has something waiting for you ..
Good to meet you and I love Namibia and Southern Africa .. cheers Hilary
hehe Fazlisa - I think we'll have to see if a witchdoctor has a solution to your cat problem ... :)
ReplyDeleteawwww Jackie - yes, I sense that you're heartbroken about your cat and, living in a game reserve, I'm guessing that you're unable to keep one?
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Kaoko is one happy (and probably spoilt) cat Hillary ... :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit and comment, I hope that you'll return again ...
What a lovely story!
ReplyDeleteYes indeed Laurie ... :)
ReplyDeleteGreat Story!
ReplyDelete25 years ago my wife found a kitten on the engine of her car. And this kitten lived with her (an finally with me) for the next 19 years.
Yours is a great story too Andrea - it's wonderful how animals come to us sometimes hey ...
ReplyDeleteIt's so good to read about something nice for a change. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed ... thanks Calvin ...
ReplyDelete