Yesterday after setting out the bowls for the kitties in between the rain showers, I walked over to the middle of the backyard. Not something I do often in the mornings especially in the rain. Inside the little play cube, was a kitten, unfamiliar to me, on its side and making meowing motions but no sound emitted. I picked it up, limp and eyes glazed. Quickly I took it inside the garage and then inside the house for a quick minute looking for the last of the kitten milk. We went back to the garage because that little one is covered in fleas. Putting the dropper near its mouth so when it make the weak meow motion, maybe some milk could get in. Sadly, more milk came out of its mouth than went inside of it. Got out the Wondercide herbal wipes to help rid the little one of fleas while nearing the rainbow bridge. So little, so cute and so alone. Where had it come from? That's not the important thing, but God must have brought that little one to the back so it would not die alone. She is a beautiful little kitten and while not even knowing it, I am so sad. I Googled up stages of a kitten dying and there is something called fading kitten syndrome but it could not survive the fleas and it is probably the runt. This little one looks to be about four weeks old. Before bundling it up as recommended I loved on that little kitty kitty. The eyes have never changed, no light, no recognition but she made those meowing motions only smaller with more effort.
I called her Little Bit and she passed a little bit after 5:00 pm. She had been motionless most of the afternoon, just a few muscles and whiskers twitching. Her muscles were letting go and preparing for the next journey. She made a few weak meow motions and she was gone. The other day I had dug a hole for a rose bush but hadn't planted it, so now that became the resting place for this little lonely kitten. Seemed appropriate that while I dug a little deeper in the ground, the rain pelted me but it wasn't a bother because strangely this felt like a sacred duty. This little one had found its way or had been brought down to the backyard and I had a duty to love this little one while she was still here. I did everything to help it but I knew when I found her, she was so far gone...her eyes never closed, she didn't blink or move, except her little mouth now and then. I said a few words over her grave and then moved some big flat rocks over her place of burial so that coyotes or dogs wouldn't or couldn't dig her up. After placing the rocks and as I came down the stone stairs, Hector Protector met and escorted me down.
So many times I have watched the cats in the back sit vigil with a sibling. Punky joined me for a little bit but none of these cats or kittens acted like they knew Little Bit.
With the cool temps and rain I had left the garage door up for most of the day to shelter the ones that wanted to come in. They got din din in the garage as well, then I shut the door. After about an hour I opened it back up for the ones who wouldn't want to stay and that was Punky and Hector Protector. I went to bed thinking maybe Bobsey, Radley and a few kittens might have remained. This morning when the garage door opened, almost all the fam had spent the night in the garage. For that many cats, they didn't tear up the place nor did they discover open seating in the convertible, whew! But I do have a litter box to clean out a little later.
I have a feeling that Little Bit might belong to Mama Cat. She is one of those cats who always looks preggers. Mama Cat hasn't been around for several days and that isn't unusual. Mama Cat was gone for over a year and then showed up the day after Cali died. She and Camo have in the past dumped their kittens and moved on.
In feral cat world, kittens play hard and kittens pass away. Cats just a year or two old look like they are elderly because feral life is a difficult life. Many of these kittens have been rescued and socialized, while others are hard headed but really you can't blame them. They live by their wits. They are around and then suddenly they are gone. I have learned a lot from observing and interacting and I come away with spiritual lessons that touch deeply.
One more cat observation and I will move on, but on this beautiful crisp fall morning, those kittens have so much pent up energy from being cooped up yesterday that they are chasing and wrestling with wild abandon on the front deck and driveway. Kind of a fun scene to observe.
Now to non cat items. I am in the process of changing out summer to fall/winter clothes. Some of which are too early to wear but that's where we are in this season. I am not complaining. Last week with a little chill in the air I did put on an old favorite flannel shirt over a t-shirt. It won't be long till flannel, jeans and boots all the time. Even though I do not need anymore flannel shirts I got such a deal yesterday with a Belk coupon and Belk Rewards. Three flannels for $12.96 when it was all said and done. Now that is a bargain!
The third of the maple tree left in the front is beginning to spot some red leaves. They say that the maples are ahead of schedule for leaf turning this year. On Monday I got out with the great weather, put the top down and drove over to TJ's. All along the route glimpses of fall lined the roads.
On Saturday the order from Laurel Mercantile arrived. Two short story books and a handmade notebook. Y'all, did not need another notebook but this one is rather special. It is so special that I went to the maker's website and ordered a few more. Hey free shipping and 20% discount got me. I have put out the large mail receptacle by the front gate. It was my intent to come up with something cute and unique but practicality won this time. Need to drill a hole in the back to attach it to the fence post. Right now a big rock is holding it down and the wind has been kind of calm and easy.
The horses at my neighbors have been in the lower pasture that is closest to our home. Love watching them canter around with each other. The cows across the street have a few new borns and they have are already head butting one another as they romp about. The air is filled with the fragrance of cut hay and the sky is a deep, deep blue. So fortunate to live in the rural without having to own rurals. Even with some sadness in days there are more joyful days and for this I am grateful.
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