Kitty Homed
The result is in. Despite breaking Cyndie’s heart in handing off our little surprise visitor last week, the sweet kitty that peeked in our back door is now happily placed in a new home.
None of our neighbors reported missing a pet and our trusted pet-sitter, Anna, just happened to be looking for a kitty to fulfill the request of a friend. It was a match that fit seamlessly for all parties concerned.
One reply we received from a neighbor gave us pause. She texted, “Is this the first pet you’ve had abandoned on your property?”
We’ve been here eight years now, and this was a first. Her question implies it is something that happens with some regularity in the country. We are happy to have been spared this harsh reality of human behavior thus far.
Our attention is back on fifteen chickens who are busy learning how to deal with the increasingly wintery weather, as well as their own pecking order. We feel lucky to have avoided any real violence from the aggressors, but they do assert their dominance as anticipated. Happily, the young ones are not looking defeated by it in the least. They continue to ever so slowly expand their comfort zone of free-ranging our land.
In this time of the exploding COVID-19 cases, take advantage of the healthy excuse to stay home and hug your pets.
Except for free-ranging chickens. They aren’t so fond of that hugging thing.
Just throw them some scratch or mealworms and they’ll feel truly loved.
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Relative Something 
Re: One reply we received from a neighbor gave us pause. She texted, “Is this the first pet you’ve had abandoned on your property?” My friend in town had no end of puppies and grown dogs dumped over her wall in this way. And if the truth be told, our cat, Snowflake probably arrived in this way too – a lone kitten under our woodpile. It was a while before he ventured out for help, sorry eyed and dismayed by his terrible plight. Indeed, he would probably have died there, if I hadn’t taken pity on him and coaxed him out. I think I really admired his stoism, sort of felt a kinship with him. He had his own frail sense of pride back then. Today, he is rather lazy and self-assured:-)
Ian Rowcliffe
November 2, 2020 at 9:11 am
Ahh, that frail sense of pride. Precious and inspiring. Impossible to resist wanting to help the abandoned creatures in this world.
I hope Snowflake at least pulls his weight in keeping mice in check. It’s the least he could do toward rewarding you for your hospitality.
johnwhays
November 2, 2020 at 9:18 am
Indeed, they say, pride comes before a fall, but so often – as in the case of Snowflake – it keeps us from falling: keeps us in this world… I respect that wherever I find it although also know it has its limits.
Ian Rowcliffe
November 2, 2020 at 9:25 am
Agreed!
johnwhays
November 3, 2020 at 7:59 am