A stray black cat gave birth to three kittens in our neighbor’s back yard last summer. Only one kitten survived: a spunky tabby with dark stripes and white feet. My husband Tom named it Thunder. Tom began feeding Thunder and Momma in front of our house and even set up soft beds for them, first in the garden and later in the garage, to protect them from the rain and cold.
Thunder and Momma were soon joined by a small white kitten/cat with one blue eye and one gold eye and a distinctive black tail. Tom called the white cat Snowflake. Thunder and Snowflake soon became inseparable buddies.
I was ambivalent about trying to adopt one or more of the strays, since I already have a 10-year-old cat named Tomo, who stays in the house nearly all of the time and doesn’t much care for other cats. But it didn’t matter anyway. Momma wouldn’t let anyone near Thunder, while Snowflake darted away every time anyone approached. We couldn’t even get near enough to determine the gender of the kittens, although we now think Thunder is a male and Snowflake is female. They are all, I’m afraid, now too accustomed to their freedom to ever become house pets.
As spring approaches, Momma appears to be in heat. Tom wants to adopt one of her kittens next time, if there are any. But Momma is a stray, after all. She no longer sleeps in the garage every night and often disappears for days at a time. Who knows where she will have her next litter. Meanwhile, we watch Thunder and Snowflake from our front window as they grow into mature cats, so close and yet so out of reach.
Thunder and Momma were soon joined by a small white kitten/cat with one blue eye and one gold eye and a distinctive black tail. Tom called the white cat Snowflake. Thunder and Snowflake soon became inseparable buddies.
I was ambivalent about trying to adopt one or more of the strays, since I already have a 10-year-old cat named Tomo, who stays in the house nearly all of the time and doesn’t much care for other cats. But it didn’t matter anyway. Momma wouldn’t let anyone near Thunder, while Snowflake darted away every time anyone approached. We couldn’t even get near enough to determine the gender of the kittens, although we now think Thunder is a male and Snowflake is female. They are all, I’m afraid, now too accustomed to their freedom to ever become house pets.
As spring approaches, Momma appears to be in heat. Tom wants to adopt one of her kittens next time, if there are any. But Momma is a stray, after all. She no longer sleeps in the garage every night and often disappears for days at a time. Who knows where she will have her next litter. Meanwhile, we watch Thunder and Snowflake from our front window as they grow into mature cats, so close and yet so out of reach.
1 comment:
Bravo! I am so proud of you both. Thank you for helping to curb the tide of unwanted stray kittens who wind up in shelters throughout the county every year. As one who has personally bottle-fed and butt-wiped abandoned kittens, I know how much we need more people like you two who aren't afraid to try to trap a cat. By the way, they are adorable furballs. Maybe it's time to let them meet Tomo!
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