Last summer, the summer of 2023, we had triple digit temperatures. One day in August, my son and I were sitting at the dining room table and looking out the window, when we spotted something unusual. At first glance, it was a grey bird, but on second and third glances, we saw it was a very small kitten.
We had no idea where it had come from, or how long it had been there. We didn't know what to do, at first, but eventually we realized that while it was terrified of us, it would surely need food and water. Of course it ran away at first as my son approached, but he would simply put the food and water down, early in the morning while it was still relatively cool. Over a period of several days, he patiently put the food and water out every morning, and again late in the evening, each time cleverly retreating away a little closer each day. Eventually he moved the food and water toward our patio, and the kitten followed it. Eventually he moved the food and water on our patio and sat near it in the shade. Eventually he had left the door from the garden room to the patio open and had stepped inside while the kitty was eating, and lo and behold, the kitten followed him into the garden room. We quickly put fresh food and water down inside, turned the ceiling fans on, and rustled up a litter box.
At that point, we considered taking the kitten to the nearest animal shelter, because we already had a beloved calico cat named Gina, but we learned the shelter was overwhelmed and having to close several days a week. So we named the kitten Critter, because at that point we didn't know if it was male or female. Even with the fans, the garden room was too hot, so we moved the kitten, litter box and all, into my son's room, and kept the door closed. Then my son began a series of trips to the local veternarian, to have the kitty examined. It turns out Critter is a female, same as our Gina. Critter had all the necessary checks and vaccinations, and when our vet pronounced it safe, Gina was allowed to go into the bedroom to meet Critter. Now they simply share the house!
Somehow, with careful introductions and all that, the two kitties have become friends. I think a lot has to do with the fact that Gina is about 4 years older than Critter, and can therefore act as the older, wiser individual! Sometimes they wrestle, sometimes they chase each other, and sometimes they like to nap near each other on one of the beds. They both give us so much joy and laughter, and have taught us so much. Especially to be aware of, and think about, and find ways to help all the children of the world, including those far away. 💕💕💕💕💕
