The Patio Annex
It is no secret that the older ones on Stauffer Avenue have a soft heart. Most of that heart is reserved for family, but the four legged creatures that happen into our lives are real scene stealers.
The talk has been had about a dog. When we travel, that would be a real heart breaker. Leaving a dog with a stranger could crush its spirit. Taking a dog with when traveling, is not always appreciated. We have had Kevin and Kersten’s Bell and Sophie for a sleepover. They fit right in and know that we are kindred spirits. So . . . the talk about having a dog, is just that, talk.
Now, cats that happen across our patio, that is another story. One of the first cats that happened across our yard quite a lot of years ago, is still coming for brunch. Megan named her Tabatha. She looked like she had some age on her then, and has kept a consistent look of well-being. We couldn’t count how many have been by for a snack and, over time, did not return. Dennis feels that if they make it to our yard, they will have a bite to eat and water to drink. Formally, we have taken in three cats to the degree of having them treated to a visit to the veterinarian once a year for their shots.
This late spring, pretty much right on schedule, the yellow mama cat, Sweetie Pie, brought over her wares. Butter Ball Curry is one of her kittens from last year. This year, there were two little gray ones following mama right up to the Meow Mix bowl. Surprisingly, they were not as frightened of us as we would have thought. Dennis gets the biggest charge out of these two in the morning. They can hear him getting his slippers on in the house and they are coming up the patio sidewalk to meet him. If he takes a bit too long, one of them will give him a “Meow,” as if, “What are you waiting for.” We have had a run of very cool evenings, and the little ones would huddle against the porch patio doors. The ole cowboy felt sorry for them and put out an old pillow. Sure enough, they still were huddling, but the fluff of the pillow seemed to have swallowed them up.
Our patio annex, complete with Dennis making sure that there are comfortable fixings inside. It’s a good thing I save old quilt batting for uses such as this.
Yesterday morning, I came out with my coffee to find that we had a patio annex added. Inside, I could see the same little pillow had been tucked inside. What peeked out from the opening of the pod were four little ears. Priceless. I have no idea where this kitty adoption center will take us. In the mean time, Dennis feels proud that he could offer a retreat to these two wee ones. I was going to snap a photo today, but I think they had decided to sleep in.
Stauffer Avenue: where wondrous events keep us happy and content.
In life, please remember to give and have no memory of it, or take and remember it always.