MUFFIN’S PET CONNECTION: Week of April 19

DEAR JUDE: Please help…”This particular Magic act is not an illusion, but a harsh look at reality and how it affected the life of a beautiful black cat. Ten-month-old Magic is a semi-longhair with sweet gold eyes. Her story began when Bensonhurst resident and cat sitter Rita Bell opened her door and found a cardboard box.

“Cowering in the corner was a skinny but very pregnant cat. She took care of her. Sunday morning with the cries of a newborn she called me, Mama TMagic was distressing and obviously still quite full. She had been so malnourished that she could not produce milk. I tried giving the baby KMR

“Rita called Peter from Ferals in Peril because he was with a vet. It was decided to leave her, offering food and KMR. Moving her could cause further bleeding; it could take up to 24 hours to deliver. By the next day and a half she produced four stillborns in breach position, the first fellow passed quickly. Magic was rapidly losing strength.

“DeniseFerals in PerilNarrows Animal Health Center at 9107 Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn to see Dr. Giangola. Immediately, Magic went into surgery. During the surgery, the doctor and staff almost passed out from the stench of infection, two more kitten remains were removed. Dr. Giangola said he had never seen anything like this, she was moments from death.

“She spent over a week in ICU, recovering. The staff loved her sweetness and her courage. Teresa Romano, AKA Mama T, 347-587-2378, is fostering her. She is spayed, tested negative FIV/FeLV. She is steadily gaining weight and playing with toys like a kitten. This loveable little lady is friendly, follows you around, talking too.”

ALERT: PET FOOD RECALL In a press release dated April 6, 2012, Diamond Pet Foods has announced a voluntary recall of its Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal and Rice dry dog food due to possible contamination with Salmonella bacteria.

For more information about this recall, consumers should contact Diamond Pet Foods at 800-442-0402.