She chose us on a Thursday in April. We had just finished supper and were tidying up when we heard it… a cat meowing repeatedly, but the sound was muted. We have two cats, Leo and Teddy, so my first assumption was that one of them had accidentally gotten stuck in the closet. I checked and they weren’t, but the meowing continued. I realized it was coming from outside our front door.
I opened the door just a bit and was surprised to see an unfamiliar cat on the front porch. She was little, a mix of tiger and maybe tortie, looked right into my eyes and kept meowing. Right away I knew she was a stray and I sensed her hunger, although she didn’t look malnourished. She devoured a whole can of wet cat food, slurped down a bowl of milk, and ate a dish of dry food.
I couldn’t help but think she was led to us. There was an energy there I could feel. She needed help and we were just the right folks to give her that. So, I set up a warm bed for her on the porch and made some calls to neighbors. No one was missing a cat.
The next morning, there was the same meowing at the door. Again, the little peanut ate like a horse. She wasn’t as cautious anymore and wanted affection. I stroked her head and under her chin, but was being cautious myself, until someone with veterinary experience could take a look at her. Her sweet and gentle nature came right through, but I could also see that she was feisty and used to the outdoors. I could tell she had definitely had a previous owner, and I wondered what her story was. So many thoughts and emotions were going through my mind. Should we keep her? We already have two cats and three is borderline crazy cat lady status. Call animal control? Definitive no. Take her to the Humane Society? That didn’t feel right. Part of me did not want to give her up and my family quickly became smitten with her as well. What to do?
I have a good friend whose sister-in-law has veterinary experience and rescues animals. What luck! She happened to be in the area, and was just leaving, when I had that ‘lightning bolt moment’ to call my friend, so she came right over. Turns out our little stray was pregnant.
We are most grateful to our animal rescue angel friend. That is because she decided to take kitty in and gave her a home, so she could rest, eat and birth her kittens. This story has a very happy ending. The same day that she took the cat in, we decided as a family that we wanted her and were fully committed to helping care for her and bring her home as soon as possible. This cat came to us through the woods; took a chance on us. She chose us, and we choose her back.
Our son has given her a name that we all immediately loved. Ruby. Because she is like a gem (my son’s words).
Ruby had a litter of three. Two survived and are thriving. Two brothers. I’ve seen many kittens, but none as stunning as these. The blue eyes melt me. The good news is that the brothers will be kept together and will soon be going to a new, loving home; to live with a grandmotherly lady.
And then Ruby will come home to us! — where she belongs.:-)
I just had to share this amazing video with you! “This isn’t dogs and cats. Dogs and cats are just that. This is family…” Thank you to my friend Sebastian for sharing it with me! As promised, I am passing it on. I hope you will too, especially because it is the time of year when animal shelters are overflowing with animals who need a place to call home.
XO