The story of Mittens the Kittens
The Rescue of the Kittens (2009)
Back in 2009, a guy lived in a house situated along a busy stretch of road. One day, as he returned home, he discovered a cat had been struck by a vehicle while crossing the road and did not survive. As he approached his house, he heard faint “meow” and “mew” sounds but couldn’t locate their source at first. Upon getting closer to a retaining wall, he saw and heard kittens—the offspring of the cat that had tragically died. Unable to leave the kittens trapped in the wall, he grabbed a chipping hammer and chisel to rescue them, one by one. The kittens were wild and resisted being handled, so he used welding gloves for protection during the rescue. Once all the kittens were freed and the cries stopped, he fetched a dish, filled it with milk, and placed it near the woods at the edge of the driveway. Most of the kittens ran off into the woods, but one black and white tuxedo kitten returned to drink some milk before disappearing into the woods with the others.
The Lone Survivor
The man assumed he would never see the kittens again, thinking they would fall prey to the dangers of the wild. However, the black and white kitten that had come back for milk was occasionally spotted near the woods or hunting mice around the house. This resilient kitten grew into a cat, later revealed to be male, and became known for his survival skills. He would eventually become the father of Mittens the Kittens.
Mittens Arrives (2015)
Mittens helping me do computer data work
Several years later, around 2015, the man met a woman named Amy, who had undergone training in Charleston. They kept goats, chickens, and turkeys together. After returning from her training, Amy missed the animals and went outside to greet them. She found the turkeys gathered around a small ball rolling on the ground. Initially, she wondered if the turkeys had hatched an egg in a week, but it turned out to be Mittens the Kittens. Mittens had matted eyes and a severe hernia. To protect their other cat, MacKitty, Mittens was quarantined. A vet appointment was scheduled for Mittens, and she underwent surgery to repair the hernia, received vaccinations, and was treated for feline herpes.
Mittens’ Recovery and Early Adventures
As Mittens adjusted to living in the house, Amy’s cousin visited and spent the entire time holding her. Up until then, Mittens had been friendly, but the discomfort from her hernia surgery made her wary of visitors, and she began hiding in the basement whenever guests arrived. Mittens developed a playful habit of climbing a bush or tree on the back porch, eventually reaching the roof of the house and needing to be rescued several times.
The Summer of Cicadas
The following summer, when cicadas appeared in Morgantown, Mittens delighted in chasing and batting at cicadas on the back porch, enjoying her time as a young cat.
Life with Other Pets
Mittens grew up playing with the dogs and MacKitty, engaging in typical cat behaviors like “If I fits, I sits” and “what’s in the box?” Sometimes MacKitty was not fond of having Mittens around and would be harsh, prompting Mittens to retreat to her sanctuary downstairs.
A Helpful Companion
Mittens also helped with building a shelter for the goats. She would crawl and climb up and down the ladder while the man constructed the building, proving to be a helpful feline companion.
Changes in the Household
After MacKitty passed away, Mittens briefly had free reign of the house until Lucy arrived. Mittens and Lucy did not get along, and Lucy eventually became the man’s daughter’s cat. Lucy was good with children but never participated in building projects like Mittens did. Even after these changes, sightings of Mittens’ father continued in the woods, hunting mice near the house. Then the unfortunate day arrived in 2024 when the man who lived in the house found Mitten’s Dad had suffered the same fate his mother had so many years ago. Mitten’s Dad was not an official member of the family, but he probably should have been. The man who lived in the house buried him with many of the other past family pets.
Our story here picks back up in 2024 with the fire we had in July. If you haven’t read about Mittens in the fire click the link to read “Fire Safety and protections from the flames”
2025: Mittens’ Final Chapter
Since the fire, our lives have been marked by frequent moves, and throughout this journey, Mittens has been a constant companion, adapting to each new environment with us. However, beginning in March of 2025, Mittens’ health began to decline rapidly. Veterinary tests indicated that her kidneys were showing early signs of failure. Despite being put on a special diet to help manage her condition, earlier this week her health worsened significantly.
On Monday, October 6, 2025, we scheduled an emergency appointment with the vet. After a series of tests, we received the heartbreaking news that Mittens’ kidneys were too far gone for treatment. With heavy hearts, we laid Mittens to rest alongside her father, Lucy, MacKitty, and several other beloved but unnamed farm animals who had shared our lives over the years.
Reflections on a Decade with Family Pets
Looking back over the past ten years, recounting these memories brings tears to my eyes—and perhaps to yours as well. I am the man who lived in that house until last year, witnessing the comings and goings of these cherished cats: Mittens, Mittens’ Dad, Lucy, and MacKitty. Each of them was truly a member of our family. If you’ve ever had pets who were part of your family, you understand how deeply they become woven into the fabric of your life.
Eternal Considerations
As we reflect on the lives of our pets, we are reminded that one day, each of us will also pass from this life into the next. Where will you spend eternity? Do you know the answer? There are only two destinations: Heaven and Hell—both are very real.
In the Gospel according to Luke, Chapter 16, starting at verse 19, Jesus tells a parable about a rich man and a man named Lazarus. In this story, Hell is depicted as a place of great torment, so much so that the rich man wished someone could warn his brothers about what awaited them. Consider if there is someone in your life who needs to hear this warning and flee from the wrath to come. Perhaps you yourself need to take this step: to repent and place your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Dear reader, do not delay your salvation; do not put it off until it is too late.
. What about our eternal family? One day we will all pass from this life and into the next. Where will you spend your eternity? Do you know? There are only two options Heaven and Hell, both are very real places. Jesus tells us a parable about a certain rich man and a man name Lazarus. You can read the account for yourself in the Gospel according to Luke Chapter 16 beginning in verse 19. Hell is so full of torments that the rich man said someone needed to go warn his brothers. Is there someone you need to warn to flee from the wrath to come? Maybe you need to flee, to repent, to put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Dear reader don’t delay your salvation don’t put it off until it is too late.
