Family Dog Nurses Rescued Kitten in Va.

The Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | Oct. 8, 2007 | AP

[mom3boys]

STEPHENS CITY, Va. - A stray kitten has found a new mother in a golden retriever, who began producing milk for the gray tabby after hearing its cries.

The hungry kitten, found in an old tire at a concrete plant, refused to drink from a bottle and her rescuers feared she would die. That's when Honey, the family dog who hadn't given birth in 18 months, stepped in with her motherly instincts.

"She started licking her and loving her. Within a couple of days, Honey started naturally lactating," said Kathy Martin, whose husband, Jimmy, brought the kitten home six weeks ago. "The kitten took right to her."

Initially, the family worried such a big dog would be too rough for the tiny feline named Precious. But Honey showed her elation at Precious' presence, wagging her tail and prancing all over the house.

Precious now sometimes plays with dog bones, and Honey lets the kitten gnaw on her like a puppy.

"She thinks she's a dog," Kathy Martin said. "She's really fit right in."

[mom3boys]

[Tijeras_Slim]

A two fer!

[mom3boys]

For the Kitty Ping list

[scooter2]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Less than a second! ;)

[CDHart]

Thanks so much for such a good post. We need smiles around here, and this is precious.

Carolyn

[Slings and Arrows]

[dblshot]

Under Hilliary’s health care plane Honey would be sent to the pound for nursing without a license but the kitten would get a check for $5000 for being born.

[LucyJo]

What a sweet story and picture! Thanks for sharing!

[TexasCajun]

Shame on me for even thinking of posting what I thought.

[mom3boys]

Oops, forgot the photo caption



Precious, right, a 6-week-old kitten, gets a meal from Honey, a 7-year-old dog Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2007 in Stephens City, Via. The golden retriever _ had not given birth in 18 months, but after her owner, Jimmy Martin, brought home the kitten, she suddenly found herself playing the role of mother. Honey began producing milk for the little feline after hearing its cries. (AP Photo/The Winchester Star, Scott Mason)

[netmilsmom]

Reminds me of this....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0Nw6TTIGAI

[Vigilanteman]

Golden Retreivers are the best. Very hard to beat their combination of brains, gentleness and social skills. Border Collies might be a litte bit smarter, but not by much.

[Young Werther]

Sunday Oct 7 was Pet Blessing Day at our church. As Pastor finished his "sermon" I shouted out, "Well Pastor, What is Dog Spelled Backward?"

There were several Golden Retrievers in attendance and they were angelic!

[LucyJo]

LOL. Adorable!

[Biggirl]

A true loving mother animal. =^..^=

[Biggirl]

Bookmarked. =^..^= :)

[lowbridge]

"She thinks she's a dog,"

A cat with a personality complex.

[Tabi Katz]

Both appropriately named!

[NRA2BFree]

Under Hilliary’s health care plane Honey would be sent to the pound for nursing without a license but the kitten would get a check for $5000 for being born.

LOL! Unfortunately, you're probably right.