Miracle kitten surprises staff

Wasilla vet Joanne Rehn has seen many amazing things during her 20-plus years of practice, miracles among them. One of those miraculous moments came shortly after noon on Wednesday.

A small gray cat lay unconscious on its back on Rehn's operating table at All Creatures Veterinary Clinic, its legs stretched out spread-eagled, held in place with string, and a clamp upon its tongue -- standard operating procedure for a Caesarian section. Under the care of a cat rescue group, the sleek-furred animal had begun giving birth to a litter of kittens the day before -- two were stillborn, but one survived. It was apparent that a final kitten remained but, presumed dead, it would not be born naturally. More than 24 hours later, Rehn pulled the still body from the mother's belly, enclosed within the uterus ready to be removed so the already homeless cat would not create more unwanted pets. Rehn, along with three technicians and a reporter, looked on. Photos of the procedure were taken and the reporter left.

Then something unexpected happened -- the kitten moved.

Three hours later, Rehn and the technicians proudly showed photos of the tiny dark kitten and reported it had joined its sibling with a member of the Mat Valley Kitten Rescue Group. Both kittens, and mother, were doing fine.

Anyone interested in adopting either the mother or the kittens can call 841-7711 for more information.