I’m still always amazed at the workings of the universe. We broadcast our hopes, intentions, and wishes, and are presented with opportunities in answer.
It had been a good, though ordinary, day. I had come home early – and was taking my pooches for a stroll. On the way back, I noticed my across-the-street neighbor planting flowers in her new mailbox and post. Since we’d never formally met, I decided to walk over and introduce myself.
Lovely and friendly, she began to tell me a little about herself and recounted an unusual experience she’d had this very day: she’d been driving on Route 9, when she almost hit something that had run into the road. She slammed on her brakes, and then pulled over along with the woman in the car behind her.
Fortunately, the tiny kitten was fine, but afraid and ran to hide in the bushes. Concerned for its welfare, she and the other driver tried to think of how to entice the small creature out, when my neighbor remembered that she had a tin of cat food in her car! With that, the hungry kitten came out to eat. She went on to tell me that she had brought the kitten home, but didn’t know what she was going to do with it, since her older cat was very upset with the intruder.
At this point, my heart began to beat a little faster, for we have been contemplating adopting a cat for some time. In fact, we’ve been in conversation with Forest Wind, a cattery in the western part of the state that specializes in the Siberian breed. I relayed this to my neighbor, who then brought out kitty John Doe, a pretty, long haired, smoke coloured mackerel with the most amazing sage green eyes. Bells began to go off in my head and in my heart. I said that we might be interested in taking him in, but wanted to check with Dave first. She agreed and told me that if we had any problems, she’d take him back. My head was swirling as I left.
Soon after, Dave came home. We taking it over and decided to give it a try. We agreed that the timing seemed more than coincidental; it felt like fate at work. Plus, Dave reminded me that he wanted a smoke colored cat all along. We both felt that this kitten had come into our lives for a reason.
Thinking that Petsmart might be closed the next day for July 4th, we hurried over right before they closed and purchased kitty supplies. I phoned my neighbor and she was happy for me to come and pick the kitten up that evening – I surmised that she might be afraid of getting attached to it. I would probably have had that problem myself.
Back at home with our new family member, we prepared a box and filled it with a sleep area, a tiny litter box, food and water. We assumed that the kitten might have fleas or parasites or possibly something worse since it was a stray and decided that we’d keep it quarantined. The dogs went bonkers! Ginger, our one year old mal-tzu was barking non stop. We placed the kitten in the mud room and closed the door. Finally, the dogs settled down and we all went to sleep.
The next morning, we were very happy to learn that the Banfield Veterinary offices were open on the holiday and made an appointment to go in. There we learned that our kitten was a male, weighing 1.15 lbs! They put him on antibiotics for parasites and treated him for worms. We’ve even named him. Welcome to our universe, Mishka!
