23 Toes and Counting

I'm here in St. Louis for a few days, relaxing with my good friend Ashleigh and her husband Nate.

I arrived around 11:30pm on Thursday night here. As I was getting ready to go to bed that night I hear Ashleigh call me and tell me to go see what is in the front room. I go in, and Nate is holding this tiny kitten.

For a few days Nate had been hearing a cat cry in the neighborhood, and that night right after I arrived they finally investigated. Lo and behold there was this kitten abondoned underneath a neighbor's porch. Aside from being cold, hungry and under weight  the kitten is in exceptionally good health. The first thing Nate noticed about it though, was that it walked a little funny. We were concerned it might be hurt, but then I noticed that it's paws were unusually large and shaped like gloves or mittens. The kitten, who is a female, has 7 toes on her left forepaw and 6 toes on her right. The vet said this is a condition known as polydactyl (many digits) and has been known to occur in certain breeds. These cat's are also known as Hemingway Cats; one of Earnest Hemingway's many interests apparently. She's not been officially named yet, but for now I've nicknamed her "Polly"

Polly is eating kitten food, using the litter box, and getting used to Ash and Nate's three dogs. It's wonderful to get some animal time in. I just have to remember to take allergy medicine while I'm here. The animals have gotten a lot of attention in the past couple days, but other than that I'm enjoying my holiday. St. Louis is sunny and relaxing.