A special word to
our readers
from your editor

about the way….

….I keep picking up strangers!

                                  

But strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet….

Alaska and JJ

Growing up with Albert Payson Terhune and his books about Sunnybank collies, I loved dogs.  I even raised collies of my own.  I was strictly a Dog Person. But cats ignored all that and proceeded to make me an object of their curiosity. No matter where I went, the resident cat always chose my lap as a landing place. So I have finally given in to my feline stalkers who now come in an endless parade to my door. And when the inevitable happens and one of them no longer comes to the feeder, my heart aches. 

Meeka looks out at her world

So now let me introduce you to some of my friends both past and present….

Zima was not lost or homeless. She came from next door where she had a purr-fectly good home with my daughter and grandchildren. But one day, in a fit of pique (they had brought home a new Lab puppy), she walked out on them, crossed the yard and came to my door. Once inside, she gave notice to Queenie, our resident beagle, that she intended to stay. Now, while she didn’t like Lab puppies, Zima liked Queenie better than anyone human or animal  and they became inseparable. When Queenie passed away three years ago, Zima was never quite the same. We lost her last year…a senior lady of 15.

Velvet

Velvet a beautiful sleek black cat came along two years ago. I found him raiding my garbage can, looking so emaciated that it broke my heart. I put out some of Zima’s dry food to dissuade him from that nasty habit and Velvet seemed to get the point…jump up on the garbage can….get food! But eventually he left the can out of the equation. Velvet doesn’t trust people but he has begun to tolerate me from a distance.  Since black cats are often abused as symbols of bad luck they have much less chance being adopted from animal shelters. I have no idea where Velvet comes from or where he goes when he leaves and I think he enjoys that air of mystery.

Nobody likes to be dumped. Don’t love them then leave them. Abandoned housecats can’t fend for themselves…especially those who have been de-clawed. Frightened and confused, many die alone and forgotten.

Pug is gray and white and got his nickname because of his “cauliflower ear”. What a fight that must have been! Pug only comes at night and gets a little annoyed to find me up and about (writers keep odd hours). However he accepts me as long as I stay behind the storm door. I haven’t seen him for several months now and I am hoping I either slept through his visit or he has found a forever home somewhere as improbable that is in today’s world.

Little One and Wee One are a mother cat/kitten duo matched perfectly, both white with black patches.. Wee One, I think, has been adopted by a family up the hill, but Little One still comes around occasionally between litters but she doesn’t bring the little ones anymore. I hope they have been adopted. She gets her nickname for her diminutive size so her pregnancies are always evident. She will come much closer to me but runs away if she hears or sees anyone else.

Buffy was soft striped orange and white and loved to be stroked. She would call me from the deck until food was put out and then leave without eating. A few minutes later she would come parading down the road with 2 or 3 kittens in tow, never eating until the little ones had their fill. Then she would shepherd her little family back up the road. Two of her brood were identical twins, all black with white “scarves” and feet. They ate together and sat together never more than a foot apart. But they have all gone away now and I constantly wonder what happened to them.

Many cats wander the streets now desperately seeking food and shelter. They have increased tenfold with the declining economy. You can help.. . Adopt a loving companion from your local shelter. . Donate funds or supplies to a shelter near you . Volunteer your services to the shelter for office work or caretaking. . Support TNR….trap humanely, neuter and return

Misty

Misty has the saddest eyes I have ever seen and her long tangled coat keeps changing color. I am sure this is due to one of several health conditions but she won’t let me close enough to check on it. One thing for certain, she stands out on a crowd. Misty never comes directly to the feeder. She sits several yards away watching my kitchen window. When she catches my eye and I put a can of food in the feeder, she comes running as soon as the door closes after me. I have trying coaxing her closer but so far I haven’t been successful. She is sadly in need of a bath and a brushing.

Sugar came to us just a short month ago but he was already very ill. I am sure he had once been a family cat because he had no problem bonding with everyone in the family. However, he was not litter-trained. He went to the door when he wanted out and scratched it to get back in the house. We called him “Ms. Personality” because he was sleeping all the time even sitting up. Then the veterinarian informed us he was a neutered male. Sugar was all white with buff tipped ears and tail and very crossed eyes. But he was so wanting for love and was never far from my side. But his time was short. I miss him even though he was with us only a little while.

Cats are domesticated animals, not indigenous wildlife. Adopt pets responsibly….spay and neuter!.
            They will love you for life.

Artist...Lesley LLOL