a kitten's unusual nurse, 1771

In which a kitten gets sort of adopted by a most unexpected babysitter.
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Major Roderfert, in New-York, related that he had a tame beaver above half a year in his house, where he went about quite loose, like a dog. The major gave him bread, and sometimes fish, which he was very greedy of. He got as much water in a bowl as he wanted. All the rags and soft things he could meet with he dragged into a corner, where he was used to sleep, and made a bed of them. The cat in the house, having kittens, took possession of his bed, and he did not hinder her. When the cat went out, the beaver often took the kitten between his fore paws and held it to his breast to warm it, and doated upon it; as soon as the cat returned he gave her the kitten again. Sometimes he grumbled, but never did any hurt, or attempted to bite.

-- Edmund Burke, Dodsley’s Annual Register 1771 (London: J. Dodsley, 1772) pp.100-1.