In the wee hours of April 29, 1991, I came home from a night out dancing. Now that part of it is nothing unusual, most nights back then were spent like that. This night, though, as I walked in the door I was greeted by my cat Smoothedge yowling at me something fierce. She would yowl some then head towards the second bedroom, come back and yowl again... over and over while I got my cowboy boots off. She obviously wanted me to follow her, and she very obviously was going to have her kittens... soon! You would see very active lumps sticking out of her sides, moving around to stick out in another spot.
I followed her into the second bedroom where she hopped into the box of clean rags I'd given her two weeks earlier for just this purpose, and immediately had 2 kittens. Nothing more happened for some time so off I went to my room to get undressed, only to be followed by Smoothedge yowling and wanting me back in the other room with her. I went back with her and watched again as she quickly had 2 more kittens of which one was dead. Oh well, she had 3 healthy baby boys... 2 orange and white and one black tabby. Again I tried to go to bed only to have Smoothedge follow demanding my return. This happened several more times, not that she was having any more kittens, but she just didn't want me to leave her. It was around 6 or 7 that I finally said "this is crazy, I have to get some sleep". I decided to try leaving her one more time, if it didn't work this time I was going to bring Smoothedge and the box of kittens to bed with me. This time, though, she let me go.
Weeks later I was able to find new homes for the 2 orange and white boys, but was "stuck" with the tabby. The little fellow was awfully cute though, so it wasn't really all that bad. The little fellow always followed me around when he was a baby, so I named him Shadow.
About 6 months later, my dear Smoothedge was killed thanks to the highway in front of my home. She is laid to rest in my orchard, the first but unfortunately not the last to end up in the "Pet Cemetery" thanks to that road and speeding drivers.
So... today is my Shadow's 16th Birthday, and he is still healthy and happy. He is my special man.
Happy Birthday Shadow!!!
I know I have some good photos of Shadow here somewhere, but can't seem to find them and don't want to be late for church, so this will have to do. A jar of Salmon has his name on it for tonight's dinner.
8 comments:
Shadow is a handsome kitty.
happy birthday Shadow! how lovely to have had him since he was born, its a shame about Smoothedge though.
Shadow is a good looking animal. You can tell he has been treated well. Our cat, Gus, is 17 and when he leaves us he will be missed very much. I can emphasize about the road and speeding vehicles. We lost one of dogs that way and the whole family cried.
Happy Birthday Shadow. There is nothing quite like the company of a beloved animal. May you stay healthy for a long time to come.
Happy Birthday Shadow! What a lovely story of his life as well.
that's a very sweet tribute to a lovely family member. may he stay healthy for a long time.
16 years! may he continue to be a good companion to you.
Awww, what a precious story. Shadow is beautiful!
This reminded me of our old cat (now long gone) who loved my Mum so much that she actually had her kittens on my Mums lap! Same thing - she wouldn't let Mum leave. I was about 8 or 9 and still remember.
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