Over 18 years ago, a young adult calico kitty began to hang out in our yard and around us as were fixing up our new home's property. She would watch us work and occasionally come over for attention. My husband would relax after hard work by laying on the grass while this kitty would climb up and lay on his chest.
A neighbor said she was another neighbor's cat and she was in great condition, but that began to change. We noticed she was sleeping in our shrubs and would pop out when we drove in the driveway looking for a meal. Ticks began to show up on her. We started feeding her, treating her for ticks and having her stay in our breezeway between house and garage since we had other cats. All kitties became familiar with each other through the glass doors.
Then came the day she brought us a dead bird. That did it. We marched over to the house where she supposedly was from, knocked on the door and asked if she was their cat. Their response: "Oh, that cat moved out over a year ago" My husband said "MOVED OUT?!? Did she pack a bag too?" We didn't ask, we informed them that this kitty was now ours; they didn't care. Next day, Moochee (named for being a mooch for food) went to the vet, got a clean bill of health and moved inside. Just in time: it was October in New England. After some adjustment time she was integrated, became buddies with my boy kitty, and never asked to go outside again.
20 years old now, aging but healthy, she is an only-cat. We're preparing for retirement and an eventual move out of this house, but will put this off as long as Moochee is with us. This is ALL the love she's ever known. To up-root her would be cruel, so we will wait and love her ever day she has left with us. She chose us. It's our job to be sure she chose wisely.
SHELTON, CT
