I Choose You

The kitties turn 1 this week, and so it seemed like a fitting time to tell the story of their appearance in our lives.  It's a good story, because it so well illustrates two truths. 1) that there is very often a plan larger than that which we see so narrowly in front of us, and 2) very often, what we think we need and what we actually need are two very different things.

Last spring, my boyfriend's family dog, Max, was very ill and it was clear that he would not be with us much longer.  He had been the baby of the family for his short 7 years, and a good, dear friend, and everyone was understandably devastated.  One day, a small tortoise shell cat appeared in the yard, and seemed intent on hanging around. She was extremely friendly, jumping on laps, purring up a storm, and even going right up to the back door and staring in at Max, who seemed a bit puzzled, but not in the least upset by this new visitor.

Over the next few weeks it became clear that the cat, now dubbed "Mrs. Pickles" after the fine cat of a little boy we know, was not planning on going anywhere.  Max ended his struggled and passed on to the next world.  Everyone was in deep mourning, except Mrs. Pickles, who seemed perfectly aware that she had arrived at a house that needed some bucking up.  In the weeks following Max's passing, boyfriend's father (henceforth, Mr. K), became increasingly fond of the intrepid little feline, and in addition to feeding her, spent a great deal of time visiting with her outside.  Mrs. K was less convinced.  Not a fan of cats to begin with, she wasn't too pleased with one hanging around the house, and particularly not so soon after Max had gone.  One day while she was out, Mr. K wondered what might happen if he just let Mrs. Pickles into the house for a few minutes, and so, he did.  In she came, and took a thorough tour of the premises, looking under furniture and testing out the beds.  She wandered back out some time later and that was that.  Until a few days later, that is, when she was at the door and seemed to want to come in again.  This time, both K's were home, and she came in and promptly retreated to the master bedroom, where, without further ado, she began the business of bringing her five kittens into the world.  Much to everyone's surprise, Mrs. Pickle's somewhat stouter appearance of late had less to do with the introduction of kibble into her life, than it did the introduction of five babies to her belly.

Following a period of much chaos, and not a few threats of divorce, five kittens and one Mrs. Pickles took up residence in a fine box in the carport.  Many months later, two of them came to live with us, and that is the story of Squeak and Boone.  In the larger sense though, it is a story of an animal choosing the right time, right place, right family, and not without a little bit of what can only be Divine intervention.  Mrs. Pickles was a stray - where she wandered off from, or whether she was abandoned, we don't know, and I have not asked.  She clearly knew people, because she was never shy or fearful around us, but she even more clearly knew that this was a house that needed her - even if they didn't know it yet.  She and her kittens gave everyone a reason to keep loving, even when it was hard to think of anything but the much loved dog who was gone.  And, in perhaps an even greater miracle, attesting to the power of cuteness possessed by babies of all species, those kittens even won over Mrs. K, who couldn't be without them now.  Squeak and Boone's brothers and sister continue to live with the K's, and Mrs. Pickles is now happily living with a veterinarian nearby.

Sometimes, it appears we are doing a kindness for another being, but in the end, they are really doing the kindness for us.  And, even those things that seem unpromising at first glance, can sometimes be the very thing we need.  Thank you for these lessons Mrs. Pickles, and thank you for Squeak and Boone and their siblings.  Happy birthday kitties!!