Pets (Part 2 of 3)

Stray cats came to the house and were fed but were not encouraged to stay with us permanently. A landscaper left a female cat in the neighborhood. We were driving her to the other houses or to friends who may want to have cats. She gave birth to 3 kittens which gave us additional concern. Then one day when the 3 kittens were a month old, the mother died in a vehicular accident. The pity for the 3 kittens made the 2 ladies of the house adopt the kittens. To prevent more babies, the 2 females, Snowflake and Beauty were ligated and Brix, the male, spayed.

The females should not touch their wound to prevent the removal of the stitches. Snowflake is so creative. She was able to remove her stitches. She has to go back for restitching. How cumbersome for a 2-week extension of watching them get well. This started the love affair among the 3 beloved kittens and the family of three. At 4:30 am, Snowflake will call Merly for breakfast which Merly does not resent. Then comes the routine of feeding them, letting them go to the basin for their urination and excretion, finding their nooks for resting and sleeping, cuddling them and plainly talking with them. Such source of happiness, love and communication.

Loving pets eventually would lead us to know them well. Each is different from the others. In fact, you can predict what they will do and where they stay after sometime. Snowflake is pure white, intelligent. From the way she looks at you, you get some message from her looks. Her meow has meaning, that be of hunger, impatience, satisfaction, being hurt, fear, etc. She is the spokesperson for food. Her favorite spot is the open porch serving also as my inner garden altar. There she stays to watch for insects to prey on. Beauty has three colors, which dictated her name, the fattest of them all, always eating, meek. It is difficult to carry her because of her weight. Brix, has the masculine look. He sleeps during the day at the high counter of the cabinet separating the sala from the dining area. At night, Beauty and Brix sleep with Merly in their specified places. They know and follow Merly’s call. If you want peace in the house, you should also respect their likes or else you will end up nagging and irritated.