Drawn to the animal rescue booth at the farmer's market, I noticed a very shy kitten trying to hide under a pillow inside a cage with four or five kittens. I thought about her all week and the next weekend, I returned with a cat carrier to get her if she was still there. She was and as I walked up to the cage, she came toward me and looked directly into my eyes. So we starred at each other for a moment, then before I knew it, we were driving home. I was cat whispering with her and what I received was Miracle.
Miracle, as it turns out is her ineffable name. We call her Lucy for all practical purposes.
Lucy has learned that she is safe now, always has enough food, and has bonded with our other cat, Bo Tres, who is protective of her.
I have to say that my visit to the home where the rescue animals live, was a shocking revelation.
The animals were not well cared for, their needs were not met, and while they were given food and shelter, they were on their own.
Lucy's digestive system was delicate, her neutering scar was tender, and she had ear mites.
There are far too many stray animals to save, and yet the philosophy counteracting euthanasia is humane.
The owner of the animal rescue was preparing to take several cats to "the farm" to live. I asked myself, "How many cats can live on a farm safely and comfortably?" That would mean a prolific place full of field rats and snakes for cats to eat!!
How to manage cats- and dogs - without homes is a dilemma. Who is responsible for catching and neutering millions of animals?
And neutering anything raises another whole issue of humane treatment.
My little Miracle has enlivened conversation with my child within. She has raised questions for consideration for living an empathic life. This has been healing and really affects how I see her and how I treat her. And she knows it - both know it, feel it, see it.
Love abounds within our hearts.
But there's a lot of cats out there!!!! What's the humane possible answer?
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