For maybe the past month there has been a black and white kitty visiting at dusk and dawn. Very skittish. No idea if it is feral, or if it has a small staff on retainer. But very well-behaved, just really nervous. And vocal! Since “she” (I assume) is black on top with white legs and belly, and can be heard before she is seen, she has earned the nickname “Whiny White Toes”.
Two mornings ago I woke up early, as I do. But before letting Boo out for a squirt, I took one myself. At that moment, all hell broke loose outside! Catfight! W.W.T. was getting beat up by a scraggly male feline of indeterminate lineage. Despite my yelling and banging on the window, damage was apparently done, as the morning light confirmed. Blood drops all around the pool, and torn fur everywhere. But it seemed as if it was not merely a one-sided attack: both got, and gave. So, no sign of either yesterday, until late in the afternoon. Boo found her, shaken but alive. So they went off together, using the buddy system, I hope. Safety in numbers, right? As long as W.W.T. doesn’t turn and run, leaving Boo to defend herself alone, I am all for it. Everyone needs a pal.
So, this morning I had a plan. When Boo and I woke up, we both heard W.W.T., and instead of feeding Boo some wet food before letting her out, I brought dry food out in a pie tin and set it down. Boo jumped on in, and then in crept the new girl. She was taking BIG mouthfuls of food, checking and re-checking me behind the glass door and both of her flanks. Then, Boo led the way around back and they hunted together awhile, then they parted company and Boo came in for some cod and catfish… WARMED UP! Boo cannot have kittens, so the only way to expand the ranks is to adopt the needy. My plan is to safely trap W.W.T. and call our local mobile veterinarian, for the purpose of scanning for a chip (to determine ownership, if any), and general checkup and de-worming, as well as to see if she was hurt in the fight. (Notice I didn’t mention spay/neuter? I’m not sure that she isn’t already, but if she isn’t … ?)
From time to time, we all need a little help. It is nice to be on the giving end, finally! If you can make a tiny creature’s existence easier, you’re doing what I feel we are here for: To be kind, and help out. Everything else is gravy.
Enjoy your day, and help someone else enjoy theirs too.
—robbie edmonds
Flommist Robbie Edmonds would love to sit down with you and discuss his theories of mind-swapping and time travel, but it appears as if he, as his cat, just left to stop himself from doing so … AGAIN! Copyright © 2017 Robbie Edmonds.
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