Thursday, July 22, 2010

They nearly became 19

Sorry it’s a saga about cats and nothing to do with crafts …that is why I have not linked this week but I feel that my mojo might be back as I am itching to get into the craft room and see if some of my ideas can be squeezed from brain down to my fingers….and by the way if anyone wonders what happened to my canvas I began …well one of our furry family got shut in the room …knocked it to the floor …it landed face down and she thought it was the perfect litter tray lol


Here is the feline behind the story below and the post title

All day the sun had shone and together with the wind, had dried the clothes I had pegged on the line. Black clouds then had gathered, thankfully reminding me to bring in those said clothes before finally shedding their load, which showed no sign of letting up. It was 10.30 and a pitiful wail could be heard from out side the back door. …having done the usual head count at supper time … a necessity with 18 cats …and the fact that torrential rain had deterred any of the outside cats venturing in to the garden for a final run, we were sure the cry was that of a stranger. It was cries for help … not an invitation to ours for a date. There was a sadness to it…. a plea for the door to be opened…yes I know…we are suckers for a sob story … but we held our ground for what seemed like ages as the cry reached a crescendo … but it was actually about 15 minutes before we opened the back door.

I was expecting to see a tail disappearing in the distance but instead there sat a gorgeous Grey Tabby who then rose to its feet and was about to trot towards the kitchen. First we uttered ‘AHHHH’ in unison …and then quickly shut the door for fear of war breaking out …ours do not like their space being invaded …by felines and children alike.

A quick conference resulted in the kitchen being vacated by those of our furry family that like to sleep in there and the stranger was allowed to come in …we actually thought that no more than 2 paws would venture across the threshold before the scent of our felines would cause a retreat. How wrong were we??? …. and it did beg the question as to whether we have a secret sign outside …in ‘cat speak’ saying “Call here if you need food and shelter”…just like the Tinkers did, 100 odd years ago, when they marked the gates of those who kindly gave hot water for a mug of tea or even provided a morsel to eat.

In the full light of the kitchen it was revealed that this poor cat had been in a battle and had come off the worst … there were several bites around his derriere and one was actually weeping …having said all that …the rest of him seemed healthy. We all agreed that he had probably met with the local Ginger Monster.

He was placid and friendly so we tended to his wounds with salt water and offered sustenance, for which he was very grateful. His night in the kitchen was reasonably uneventful …only a couple of things must have got in his way. A decision had to be made as to what was to become of him …something I’m rubbish at …. My heart said keep him as he would make a wonderful addition to the family but my head … and a little commonsense from Vicki … made up my mind that he could not stay.

A trip around the neighbourhood shed no light on his actual residence …so we took the advice we had been given and contacted the SSPCA who then picked Stripey up before I got too attached. They will tend to his wounds and have promised to find him a new home if his own remains a mystery …we are putting up posters in the hope his owners can be found and I feel sad that I couldn’t give him a home here.


Hopefully I will be back next week with something crafty

Take Care xx

17 comments:

Annie said...

Cats are wise creatures aren't they? He will have sensed you will have only had his best interests in mind when he stepped over your doorstep. So glad you were able to help.
A x

Morning's Minion said...

What a handsome cat---and wasn't his behavior in a strange place just dignified!
It is so hard to turn away a needy animal, and I've gotten myself in "situations" many a time by adding to the feline family.

Jocelyn said...

Awww...he looks just like my Miss Cosmo....so sad and I truly hope that he finds a good home!!! POOR KITTY!!!!

I am so with you on the mojo.....just have no desire to create....that could be that we are so busy right now and I have no recent pics printed!!!!

Thanks for all the wonderful comments that you leave for me.....I so appreciate them and look forward to hearing from you!!!

Have a great day sweet friend!!! :-)

Carmen said...

He's just beautiful. Tabbies are my favourite. I would have been tempted too - I think you are definitely the NHS of the pussy cat world methinks.

Had to chuckle at your poor canvas - will you do another?

Unknown said...

Soooo pleased your MoJo has returned ... Do you think Stripey may have bought it with him! You should really write a book you know ... you have such a fabulous way with words and I get to the last bit of each of your posts and I always want more!
Sorry to hear of the sad demise of your canvas ... I am not sure why you have discarded it though ... I mean surely of that kind of thing is good enough for Damien Hurst!!!

Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...

Ah what a lovely tale Angie, poor puss, hope they find him a good home. I can easily understand you being torn over what to do. I know you'd like to write a book, but have you ever thought of writing poetry? This sounded so poetic at the beginning. Perhaps you may get further with poetry if you tried as they could be a lot shorter than 3 pages let alone 3 chapters ;-)
I'm looking forward to seeing what you create very soon.
Thanks for the birthday wishes :-)
Anne xx

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I wondered what had happened to you this week. I kept looking for your name in the links, and I'm so glad you sent me a sweet comment or I might have missed this post.

Too bad we live so far away from each other (of course an ocean, a big river, and a lake don't seem that far right now). I would love Stripey. Any kitten that friendly and well behaved would be a welcome addition to my home. If only Bleubeard were so sweet. Of course, I only have ONE, so I would have room for him, unlike you and your 18!. I only hope he will find a good home.

JoZart Designs said...

Oooh, dear,such an appealing face, I do hope he gets a wonderful new home. If I could, I would have him myself ,but my family all live far and wide so I cannot take on another pet.
Thanks for reminding me about the metal tips on the toes and heels of shoes... Dinkies we called them. I loved the noise they made when I walked and I used to tap dance when I had them on my toes.
Jo x

Darcy Marshall said...

awww bless your heart Angie, he must have known he was in the right place. I hope his family can be found. Shame about your canvas, I was really looking forward to seeing it. x

tea_bag said...

Hes such a beauty I do hope he finds a good home. I feel you have a book in you please if your thinking of writing one go ahead your a pleasure to read hugs alma xx

Arkansas Patti said...

As someone who once ran an animal shelter,I realize sometimes you just have to say no. Since I retired, I am sticking with one dog and two cats. Very hard to do but we have a great shelter in this town that I trust.
I think you are right. They must mark our gates.

Emma said...

I'm surprised you had the strength to send him to a shelter!! Didn't you once say that you've always wanted a grey tabby? I would've kept him, but then, we're only on two cats. x

Carmen said...

Angie can you send me your snail mail? I've won a cat torch from go-cat. You know where it shines a dot on the wall and they chase it - wanted to donate it to your moggies. If you don't want or already have one please feel free to say ;)

Carmen xx

Julia Dunnit said...

Ah cats are canny - they know a kind heart; and I bet he's re-homed happily ever so quickly - on account of his good looks and your thoughtfulness. Sorry about your canvas Angie, perhaps thinking about another will re-light the old mojo...I'm sure it's seasonal you know - just when the light nights mean I can cut out and colour with some confidence, I don't want to!!

Spyder said...

Hope your mojo comes back soon, your cat is a very gorgeous colour. Ants seem quiet tonight! They're flying ants, we have them every year, they come out from behind the fire place, only for the last few years we've hardly noticed them,and then last night was the attach of the 'flying Ants' they were everywhere!!Hope you get your mojo back !
'see' you on WOYWW!
(Lyn)

Spyder said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Spyder said...

sorry, thought I was following!! Ants!! Mine have gone...only the odd flying ant with no wings left...right, now I can press the button...