It's a cool 55º in the Bay Area today. The wind is whipping around the neighborhood, shaking leaves and knocking the pollen out of every flower's head. A bird decided to build her nest under the awning of my kitchen window a couple of weeks ago.
Brave move since I have 4 outdoor cats! She and hubby have been busy sitting on the egg, but every time I pull the shade up or down, they skedaddle, and then I worry about the egg.
Like today, with the cold blustery wind, I want to reach out the window to put a warm boiled egg in the nest every time she flies away!
Our sweet KitKat turned 20 this year! She has lived outdoors most of her life, gave us an adorable litter of 5 kittens when my daughter was 7 years old, that made their way to family, and provided us with so many fond memories.
Now, 19 years later she is as light as a feather (no weight to her aged bones), deaf as a door knob (but manages to sense when I fill the cat food bowls), and a bit wobbly. She has a little tumor growing under her cheek... but I refuse to put her through surgery at her age.
She still adores laying in the sun. And her favorite spot is in my mint patch.
She's our little granny, and we love her dearly.
In her heyday, when large dogs innocently wandered into our back yard, they never knew what hit them. She sprang from nowhere and attacked like a wild cat making them run frantically to find the gate. They couldn't get out of there fast enough! :)
Now she watches the blue jays and skunks eat her food with perfect complaisance. We are more accepting and generous as we age, aren't we? I picture her with a lacy cap on, sitting in a rocking chair on the back porch, knitting.
When she meows, it's a hoarse and very loud sound, since she can't hear herself anymore. Sometimes she isn't even looking at us, but out into the yard when she meows. It's so cute and sad and funny and adorable.
It's been shown time and again that people with pets live longer and are actually healthier than those who don't care for an animal. For nearly 25 years, research has shown that living with pets can help lower blood pressure and lessen anxiety. Interesting that they give us so much in return for giving them a home.
And on this blustery day, she's curled up on the grass, nose tucked in, dreaming of butterflies and the chase.
Here's to you KitKat. For the joy you've given me, my children, our family who know you so well, and the friends you've nuzzled, scratched, rubbed against and hissed at!
~ In Gratitude ♥