A New Intruder
She arrived in my life, totally unexpectedly, one day in early 1999. My dear friend Christina (who lived across the street) and I were talking in my driveway when a tiny kitten, perhaps just five-weeks-old, scurried up to me, stood at my feet, and meowed. Loudly.
I picked up the tiny furry thing. Where had she come from? Where was her mommie? Where were her siblings?
Awash with these questions, I asked: “Hello! And who are you?”
Meow! Meeeeeow! Loud.
I was unsure if her response answered my questions, but as I pondered the petite bundle of warm fur in my hands, an intuitive thought announce itself.
“Chris? I have the feeling that this kitten is for you or me.”
“It’s not for me,” Chris replied with assurance.
As I absorbed the ramifications of this response, a closer look at the kitten revealed two things. Her neck was terribly scarred (but healed) and four of her front claws were deformed. In a split-second, I knew what to do. It was clear that this tiny, loud thing had experienced disturbing things in a very short life. But no longer. No longer! No more! I held the wailing thing close and said: “Welcome to Ross Land.”
Meow! Meeeeeow! And she nudged my chin with her tiny tiny head. And with that, just that, I was smitten.
Gilda. My favorite ever cat.
On September 2, 2017, I discovered a kitten under my front porch.
I could see the kitten through the deck boards, and I gently called out. “Kitty! Kitty! Here kitty!” Slowly, cautiously, the kitten came out from under the porch and jumped onto the deck.
“Hello!”
The kitten was very small. Maybe three months old? But the kitten looked VERY pregnant and with a huge distended belly. I carefully picked the kitten up, and was pleased (relieved) that the kitten seemed OK with this.
Where had she come from? Where was her mommie? Where were her siblings?
Awash with these questions, I asked: “Hello! And who are you?”
Meow! Meeeeeow! Loud.
“Meow. Meow.”
I was not sure what this meant. But suspected that this might translate into: Feed me!
We went inside, with me wary that the kitten might suddenly freak out. I held on tight, but not too tight, all the while saying: “It’s OK. It’s OK. It’s OK,” in a calming tone. Reaching the kitchen, I opened a can of wet cat food, put the contents into a bowl, and placed this before the kitten.
Kitty scarfed this down.
I stood back…and smiled. An absurd level of happiness overtook me.
The first meal. The first image. She’s all grown now, healthy, and I adore her.
I walked into my garage the other day.
A few minutes later I walked back out.
And discovered a trespasser two feet from the door. The trespasser appeared to have been expecting me,
The wee thing was screaming. HELP ME! HELP ME! At least that was my translation.
I picked up the tiny furry thing. Where had she come from? Where was her mommie? Where were her siblings?
Awash with these questions, I asked: “Hello! And who are you?”
Meow! Meeeeeow! Loud.
The results?
Squeaker. The first meal. The first image.
.
.
Yes, he/she is cute. But…
My cat count is WAY down from what it was about 5 years ago. But the pattern of my life will obviously remain unchanged:
Cats depart.
Kittens show up on my doorstep. And there’s nothing I can do about it.
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Of course there is nothing you can do about it! You are a cat magnet! You are The Chosen One! Count your lucky stars 🌟 Cats are the best, and they don’t choose their people willy-nillly. You obviously have a certain charm. 🥰
And they hit the kitty jackpot whenever they arrive! As do you!💕
According to Jackson Galaxy, it is the Universe’s cat distribution system at work.
Obviously you are down on cats and must be restocked.
I believe cats choose who they live with, where they live, even how the y live. That is why some cats leave to go live with the neighbor next door. Some choose to be house cats. Some choose to be yard cats. Some choose a nomadic life constantly on the move. Some choose libraries or firehouses or rest homes.
How lucky the cat that chooses you and how lucky you are to be chosen.
In a world that’s getting tougher to have faith in humans, thank you for sharing these stories. First cup of coffee of the day and you gave me warm fuzzies to start my day. A gift!
Bless you for caring for these cats.
It’s clear—the Universe is sending you love in the sweet form of kittens. All you have experienced in your life has left you with a very large (more than a little soft) heart. Congratulations on your new gift!
You’re just a cat daddy and there’s nothing you can do about it.
🐱Keeping the door open &/or revolving, adds comfort & spice to everyones’ lives. 🐈 Seriously, who would want it any other way? 💜
I’m with Carla. Your story of kitty magnetism and kitty love was just what I needed this morning. Ross, you have a special kindness in you that kittens (and your devoted readers) recognize. Hugs.