Kash the Kitten

Dusty's family lives in the country, so the kittens have a lot of room to play. They like to run around the backyard, jumping in and out of the grass. They also like to hide in the woodpile that is stacked near the workshop. Dusty laughs as she watches them play and calls them, "Here kitty, kitty, kitty!" All three come running to where she is. She sits down and lets them crawl on her. She rubs their soft fur and scratches them behind the ears. They purr and meow, letting Dusty know that they love her so much. She can't pick a favorite because all three are wonderful.

Kash is the most playful of the three kittens. He sits and waits for Dusty to get home every day. When he sees her walk around the corner of the house, he jumps up and runs to her because he knows she will play with him. One day, Dusty comes home, and Kash doesn't run to her. He just stays sitting beneath the back door. Dusty is worried, so she asks her mom and dad to look at him. They tell her that he probably just ate too much and will be okay. Still, Dusty is worried, so they promise her that if he doesn't get better, they'll take him to Dr. Jones, the veterinarian. Dusty holds him longer than she holds the other kittens. They don't seem to mind because they're having a great time playing with each other. She smiles as Dixie looks at Reese and pounces on her when Reese isn't looking. When it is time for Dusty to go inside and do her homework, she rubs the kittens, and puts Kash down. He snuggles up next to Yoda, his mother. Yoda licks him, and the other kittens come over, too. Dusty grins and walks inside.

"What's wrong," her mom asks.

"I'm really worried about Kash."

"He's okay. It's like your dad said. He probably just ate too much kitten food. By the time you get home tomorrow, he'll be playing with you like always."

"Okay," Dusty replies sadly. "I guess I'll go do some homework before dinner." An hour later, Dusty hears her mom call her for dinner. The family eats, and Dusty checks on Kash one more time before she has to finish her homework and go to bed. He still looks like he doesn't feel well, but he does purr for her when she picks him up and puts him next to her cheek. She smiles and sets him down and walks back inside.

The next morning, the alarm clock rings, and Dusty crawls out of bed and gets ready for school. When she walks outside to check on Kash, she can't find him. She rushes back inside to tell her mom, "I can't find Kash!" She is about to cry.

"Dusty, don't worry. He's probably asleep in the woodpile. You know how much you want to sleep when you don't feel well."

"I know. I just don't want him to be sick."

"I don't want him to be sick either, but we can't do anything about it right now because you have school. Don't let this bother you all day. You won't be able to get your work done."

"I'll try not to think about it." But Dusty does think about it. When her teacher calls on her in class, she doesn't hear him, because she's thinking about Kash. "I'm sorry. My kitten is sick, and I'm worried about him."

"Don't worry," her teacher tells her. "I have a cat. too, and I think about her when she gets sick. Just try to focus on school for the rest of the day."

"Okay."

As soon as she gets home, Dusty races to the backyard to find Kash. He is on the back porch and still doesn't look well. Her mom steps out the door. "Did you find him?"

"Yes. Mom, he is still sick. We have to take him to Dr. Jones!"

"Okay. Get his carrier and bring your books with you. We'll have to wait, so you can get some homework done. I'll call the vet's office and let them know why we're coming, and I'll leave your dad a note telling him where we're at."

Dusty gets Kash ready, and they drive to the Wild Safari Animal Hospital. The waiting room is full, so they check in and find a place to sit. Dusty does some of her homework and holds Kash while they wait. Finally, they are called in. Dr. Jones checks Kash. He tells them that Kash has a little cold and will be better in a few days. He gives them some medicine that they can put in his food, so he can get better.

"Thanks, Dr. Jones," Dusty says, as she picks up Kash and puts him back in his carrier. "I was so worried about him. I'm glad it's only a cold." Dusty puts Kash back in the car, and they drive home.

A few days later, Kash is playing again and jumping around, just like Reese and Dixie. Dusty is happy to see her kittens playing, and she picks up each one and gives them a big hug.