Neighborhood cats await sunrise,
acknowledge being gazed upon
by changing position, and gazing back,
find shelter from the heat of the day,
refuge in rainstorms,
and, are sometimes the subject
of "Art Camp' paintings.
Though there are many, of varying colors, dispositions, age, feral status, and health, one particular 'survivor' caught my eye one night. He apparently managed to escape death by losing part of his right front leg, and retains a rather nasty gash on the same side, which, I'm told, is healing. All white, very feral , and living on the edges of the rest of them, he waits his turn when food is left for them. Since the Florida cold snap, he has been making more regular visits just next door to Coral Cottage, where a couple devout themselves to their own, and to the other needy felines of the surround. There are several caring others who do the same, and, unfortunately, some few who set vicious traps, and even shoot strays on sight, including dogs. Such is the nature of the human population. There's a lovely mural painted on the side wall of the local Animal Protection Association thrift shop, whose proceeds benefit the cause.
3 comments:
it's hard. feral and quasiferal.
my neighbor's accidental cat, a
male, has taken up spending the night in the giant Goat shed.
this is good. he hunts the mice.
this is not good. my own old spayed cat is leary of going out.
this is not good because i wonder if he will spray on the Goat feed to mark territory?
like so much, the front and the
back.
Waiting for more stories.....xoxo
Must be so hard to know, to witness such cruelty to the animals.
ah (((Michelle))) best friend of Bastet!
One night many years ago Old Man Crow read this poem by Paul Gallico to Ariel;
Ode To Honourable Cat
I am Cat.
I am honourable.
I have pride.
I have dignity.
And I have memory.
For I am older than you.
I am older than your Gods;
the Tree Gods, the Stone Gods,
the Thunder & Lightning
and the Sun Gods
And your God of Love.
I too can love
But with only half a heart
And that I offer you.
Accept what I am able to give
For were I to give you all
I could not bear your
inevitable treachery.
Let us remain honourable friends.
Old Man Crow looked up from his book with a tear in his eye & said to Ariel,
"I understand you can only give me half your heart."
Ariel looked him straight in the eye & purred,
"It doesn't work that way!" and gave him all his heart.
and this is another favourite;
"I meant," said Ipslore bitterly, "what is there in this world that truly makes living worth while?" Death thought about it "Cats," he said eventually, "Cats are Nice."
from "Sourcery" by Terry Pratchett
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