Beauchamp (from a character in Faulkner, an author Tom and I loved)
Amy
Alexander
Sage (after Jim Morrison's dog. Morrison died just before our Sage was born)
Little Man
Grey Baby (my mother's cat that we inherited after she died)
Blackie (a neighbor's cat who came and stayed, with the okay of the neighbor)
Trilby
Alice
Tigger (the only cat who ever appeared at Windy Poplars as a stray)
Soot (named by Margaret)
Tiger (named by Michael)
Raya (named by Margaret's friend, Ana)
Hallie (we got her around Hallowe'en and she was the 13th pet on our account at the vet's)
I have had quite a hard time since Raya died nine months ago. I dearly love my Labrador, Lucy but I missed a cat. Also, I had a few odd experiences. In the evening sometimes, I would be sitting in the living room and hear a little thud above me from the room where Raya ate. I thought I heard her bombing down the stairs the way she always did, and I even thought I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I bet there were eight occasions like these. Was Raya trying to tell me I should get a cat? Weird, I know. Unexplainable, that's true.
Margaret, Matthew, and Hazel decided to get a second cat. They got their Pepsi from a local animal rescue place (it says animal, but I think it is mostly (only?) cats. The other day she texted me a picture of the one they got, and I melted. She told me there were two kittens left in the litter of five. Tom and I talked and he said he just couldn't keep seeing me so sad, so we agreed to get the two! I filled out an online application, and the woman called to say I was approved. I went to visit. The kittens are only about four weeks old so they don't suggest patting, etc. yet. Well, one of mine came right up to the bars on the cage and looked right at me with those baby kitten blue eyes. I swear she was saying hello.
The other one was harder to capture. She was either snuggled with another, or nursing. They will be ready to come home next month. I am beyond happy! I'm calling them Gemma and Maisy.
What sweet cuddly fluff balls. Your house will be quite lively for some time. You must have been very attached to Raya. I believe she was still trying to keep you company.
ReplyDeleteI like lively! And I like it that at 71 I've gotten two kittens! Proud of myself! Yes I was attached. She was quite a unique girl. Maybe that's true, and she can be at peace when she sees the new ones here. I'm delighted that you and Diane didn't think I was nuts!
DeleteNan, I loved your post and video of the newbies to be - so adorable. I'm so happy for you.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about your Raya's passing and the void she left. Since 1983, except for (1) month last year, after we lost out 16 y/old Buddy, I have always had a cat in the house. When we lost Buddy, I swore I would see him out of the corner of my eye and, when we got Lucy and Ricky, the month after, they would constantly stare at the ceiling in the room he spent a lot of time -- there must be something to it??
Wow! Thank you for telling me. I almost didn't write about the experiences because nothing like that had ever happened to me - well, except one time. In 2001, after graduating from high school Margaret worked at a nursery school. One day they took the kids to a playground in the next state. M usually got home around 5. She drove in the yard at 2:30 and I told Tom that she had a baby kitten, and it was Raya! She found her wandering on the playground with no houses around. So maybe there is some kind of special connection with that cat! I'm amazed about your new ones looking up at the ceiling. I'll let you know if anything like that happens here.
DeleteI'm so happy for you with the new little ones. Do you still have Hallie as I see her name follows Raya on the list. What a good home they will have!
ReplyDeleteI've heard other tales of departed kitties and their presence. If you read Susan Branch's blog, I believe she has mentioned the sound of Girl Kitty on the stairs. We have always adopted too or in the case of the last two, they have come to us. We always felt the previous cat had sent the new one to us. Special friends, our pets. Enjoy these new little ones.
Mary
Thank you. No, Hallie died a couple years before Raya did.
DeleteI hadn't heard this about Susan's cat. I love what you wrote. They are indeed, special friends.
It was the May 2, 2019 posting, almost at the end. Very similar to what you experienced - a thud in the room above like a kitty jumping off the bed and then at another time, she and her husband heard the bounding down the stairs.
DeleteAren't you so kind to look it up. That means so much to me. That's so like the sounds I heard. Amazing. Amazing. Thank you.
DeleteI can't think of any time we've been without cats. Needy ones seem to appear and we take them in. Our latest, Clancy, was part of a semi-feral colony of cats being fed in the alley behind the courthouse. He bounced into our path and we knew we had to bring him home. At first I mentioned that we should have another kitten to keep him company. Another with similar personality and energy would undoubtedly be too much. The older resident cats have accepted him--though I imagine them thinking, 'Here we go again!'
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing. You do amazing work.
DeleteOne of the things the local rescue offers is that if farmers need a barn cat, they may consider adopting a feral cat from the shelter. I thought that was wonderful. All spayed and neutered, of course.
I am so happy you found two kittens who will be coming home with you. My husband and I have been married 40 years and the first twenty years we had dogs (one at a time) and then we switched to cats. We had Bink from about 1998 - 2012, and then when she died we got Rosie about 6 months later. And she is still with us and a wonderful cat. They were different cats, it is so funny about cat personalities. Rosie is a lap cat, and Bink was not, but both needed petting and let you know.
ReplyDeleteThank you for telling me your animal story. They sure all do have their own personalities!
DeleteMy home has been cat-less since 2013, when my old Pukky died. The last two years with her were hard, as she was getting more and more fragile and needed daily medication (which she didn't like), and constant cleaning up behind her. But I loved her nonetheless, and still miss her. The way I live now, it would be most unfair to any pet, but one day I shall have such a special friend in my life again!
ReplyDeleteI am happy to know that you will have both cats joining your family. I can see several posts about them in the future :-)
I love it that you do plan in the future to have a "special friend" again!!
DeleteWe've had cats always (with little gaps sometimes) for over years. All have been "rescued" in one way or another, and we remember them all as have different characters but all lovely companions in one way or another. Our last, Mabel, is over 18 now, and nearly blind.... but she eats well, is healthy and shouts "breakfast" over and over from exactly 6.45 am onwards even when the clocks are changed - until I get up and do the butler service!. She never, ever used her voice until after her brother died about 2 years ago. I was so surprised the first time I heard it! She may be our last...... mmmmmm!
ReplyDeleteMabel sounds amazing! I can't believe she never "talked" until her brother died! I guess she just let him do the work.
DeleteI must admit to being rather fond of cats though we couldn't have one when I was a child as my brother had asthma attacks brought on by cats - he still does though not so bad. I don't really need a cat now as my neighbour's two have adopted me since the arrival of his grandchildren! The one in your video is very cute.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny about the grandchildren, and the cat changing alliances! Thanks for writing.
DeleteHow lovely! I really miss having cats. Puttel, Posy, Rufus, Calypso. They were all so beautiful. I bet you just can't wait to get the poppets home.
ReplyDeletePosy was on my possibility list! I love your names. I'm sorry you don't have a cat now. And yes, I can't wait!
DeleteCongratulations! I loved reading the roster of names. It inspires me to tell you: Pinky, Oklahoma, Rubalittlesaucie, Snoopy, Georgie, Martha Minerva, Malcolm, Baby, Rontu, Tudor, Abraham, Malenkie, Doulton, Myra, Blixa, Oslo, Annie, Bongo, Mrs. Palmer, Zoey, The Horse, Snapper, and Dodette.
ReplyDeleteI anticipate reading more about your new family members.
So very happy to see your name here!!!! And thanks for your delightful list! Rubalittlesaucie! They inspire whimsey cats do!
DeleteCongratulations on the additions to your household, Nan. That's a beautiful animal.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved cats and dogs but we find them too difficult to care for in a city environment any more. But I miss those days.
I'm so sorry to hear that it.
DeleteWhat wonderful news! I can never have cats because I am terribly allergic to them, but find them fascinating anyway...I think you will have happy times with Maisy and Gemma. They look adorable.
ReplyDeleteThank you! So sorry you are allergic.
DeleteOh, look at them! Adorable. Our beautiful Morgan passed away quite suddenly in September and we have had our new kitties for 9 days now, two seven-month-old tabbies who were rescued with their mum as tiny kittens, so have lived in a foster family, rescues but not ones with issues. They're delightful so far (there's a photo on my running blog post from Sunday if you're interested). I hope you enjoy yours and draw comfort from them as we have from ours!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy for you!!!!! I haven't visited you as much as I think about doing so! Been sick for almost four weeks off and on with achy, coldy, etc.
DeleteI'm so happy for you, Nan. These sweet kitties will bring you so much joy. They will be so loved, I just know it!
ReplyDeleteSo glad for you. Lucky kitties, lucky you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sallie!
DeleteHooray! What happy news! You are a wise kitty mom to choose two so they can have fun playing together. I can't wait to see more pictures and hear more about them.
ReplyDeleteAs for Tom, I like the way that man thinks.
There hasn't been a kitten in this house since 2001, when Raya arrived. I can't wait to see them playing. Poor Lucy has no idea what is in store!
DeleteLove what you wrote at the end!
That will be such a good way to start the New Year! I hope you post lots of pictures ... I have to enjoy kitties virtually. Even in our real life, All of our kids have only dogs. .... thank you too for all of the Christmas music posts.... I’m enjoying the music and the Christmas spirit it brings back.
ReplyDeleteIt became clear to me in these past months that I must have both cats and dogs! I'm glad you like the music. I need to post more.
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