Some may think the title of this post means something else, but in this case, it’s referring to our pets, and in our house that means kitties…! For as long as I can remember I’ve had a kitty…most have been regular short-hair domestic types, although there were a couple Siamese when I was in high school and college. For most of our marriage we have had 3 kitties at a time. All have different personalities as most of you know…just like humans, they are truly individuals. About 14 months ago, our kitty Presley went to heaven…he was one cool cat…and it practically broke my heart. He was ‘my kitty’ and it took me a long time to get over it…we had a real connection. We had 2 other male cats (indoor/outdoor) at the time, and a couple months before Presley’s passing, a mother cat and her kitten appeared at one of our barns. We gave in and kept them, thinking they would be ‘barn cats’…that didn’t last long! Within a month or so, they started following us back to the house after feeding them at the barn. And within a couple more months, they were hanging out on the back porch of the house, and found their way through the pet door into the house. Shortly after, Presley left us, and then we were a family of 4 kitties and 2 humans. The 2 new kitties adjusted well to us, even though our other ‘boys’ weren’t real sure about them. Gradually they have found a way to get along.
Back in the late fall, we ‘lost’ another of our precious fur balls. When spending time in our second home close to the beach, one of the ‘boys’ went out early one morning and within an hour and a half, we couldn’t find him, and he has never returned. He was an older kitty, too…16…but appeared healthy for the most part. He had just slowed down in some ways; mainly he just slept more. And as it is said; ‘and then there were three’.
The kitten that appeared with his mama, about a year and a half ago now, looks and acts so much like my beloved Presley, and I have gotten attached to the silly thing. His name is Barney, named by my husband because he was supposed to be a barn cat, and the Barney just stuck. He has a much sweeter nature than his predecessor, Presley…he’s easy going, very loving, and has a motor (purrs) unlike any kitty I’ve ever had. Since he’s only about 20 months old, he’s still busy, busy, busy and love the outdoors more than indoors. We let him out Saturday afternoon as usual after he takes a nap inside and never saw him again before we went to bed…which isn’t so unusual either. But…when he didn’t come in for his breakfast yesterday morning, I was worried. Since I’m still non-weight bearing from the ankle surgery, I can’t do much and it was left to my husband to go searching. I called and called for him…no Barney. My husband explored all the barns and then rode the four-wheeler around the fields closest to us. The thought of coyotes came to mind for both of us, since they are more abundant now. Still no Barney…and I was devastated. It shocked me so…I didn’t realize I had gotten that attached, and couldn’t believe I wouldn’t see that sweet face or hear that motor again.
But…about 6 p.m. yesterday, I called for him one more time. I didn’t see that flash of black and white come running from any of the barns, so I went back inside. Not 5 minutes later, I heard a distinct meow at the backdoor, and there was my furry buddy…yowling to get in, just like always. I could’ve cried from happiness, but I restrained myself, barely. I scooped him up and couldn’t let go…and that motor of his sounded louder than ever…or maybe I just sounded better than ever. He gobbled his supper up like he was starved, and my husband gave him another helping. It wasn’t long before he was sound asleep in his usual nap spot. Later he came and sat beside me (he’s too young to be a lap kitty yet), and he seemed so tired. These are the times when I wish they could talk…would love to know where he’d been all that time. When we went to bed he was back to sleep again…inside…and I knew where he was.
Anyway, all I can say is I’m THANKFUL…for the small things in life…those that give you so much joy, no matter what shape or size, rough, smooth, furry, or whatever!
hailey-stout studio 