As you know so well, the life of a free-roaming cat is rarely dull. In winter, there’s snow and ice to skitter around; in summer, heat (in terms of temperature) and heat (in terms of cats feeling…um, romantic).
But a certain community cat’s experiences were just a little too exciting this summer.
We first caught wind of the little cat’s calamities from her caretakers. It seems that one of our cat colonies had watched Mean Girls a few too many times. Taking cues from bullies everywhere, the majority of the cats were making life miserable for one outsider. But instead of mocking her fashion choices or putting nasty notes in her locker, these bullies were blocking the little pariah from the feeding stations, popping her over the head, and otherwise threatening her very survival. As a result of the “in crowd”‘s antics, the bullied cat was losing weight, and even seemed unsteady on her feet.
Fortunately, as a managed Tabby’s Place cat colony, the little community was under the watchful eye of good caretakers. They alerted us to the drama, and we intervened before anything too terrible could happen.
And so it was that Bubbles came to Tabby’s Place.
It was immediately obvious that this little outsider was no ordinary cat (not that there’s any such thing, of course). At just a few pounds, tiny Bubbles looked like a kitten; with perfectly crossed eyes, she looked like a Muppet.
But for all that cuteness, all that angel-facedness, all that utter huggability…Bubbles did not want to be hugged.
Woe to the human who challenged this fact. Many such folks, understandably smitten with Bubbles, left with their tails between their legs and their hands bruised and bloodied.
She may look like a teeny weeny wonder-baby, but Bubbles has the heart of a warrior.
Yes, really.
Still, we knew Bubbles’ outdoor days were over. We could not, in good conscience, return the little cat to the realm that had robbed her of any sense of security. So, we lovingly resigned ourselves to caring for Bubbles indoors even if she never looked at us with anything but hate and distrust. She’d simply be a cherished “indoor feral,” and we’d accept that loving her meant loving her limits.
But love has a way of stretching limits.
Bubbles started staring at us. First furtively, then with full gaping gaze, our cross-eyed cherub would watch us through the window of her suite. Although she wanted nothing to do with our touch — yet — Bubbles was clearly enchanted by the sight of us. (OK, maybe she just thought we were so bizarre and grotesque that she couldn’t look away. But we’ll take what we can get.)
Then, the whispered reports whistled in. “I touched Bubbles today!” one volunteer crooned in disbelief. “She let me pet her for several seconds!” confessed another.
Love and trust were taking over.
I have a feeling we’ve only just begun.
And, dear sponsors, this latest feline miracle has everything to do with you. Your generosity makes it possible for Tabby’s Place to give each cat precisely the love and patience that she — as a unique individual — needs. That one-of-a-kind love is giving Bubbles the courage to let love in.
I cannot thank you enough. Have a glorious month!