Family. That’s what we are here at Tabby’s Place. That’s what you are, if you’re reading this. That’s what Kiki is.
You see, way, way back in the beforetimes, Kiki had a foster family. They love her forever (present tense and for all the days), but Kiki is FeLV+. Her rescue family doesn’t have a Quinn’s Corner where felvies can live healthily and happily until they are adopted. So, her foster family made the arrangements and brought her to Tabby’s Place.
That happened some time ago in the not-too-distant yesterdays. And, when she arrived, Kiki forgot. Kiki forgot about family. Kiki forgot about love’s promise. Kiki forgot about head scritches and treats. Kiki forgot what security and home and confidence felt like. Kiki even forgot that fear is an anxiety monster that will go away if you tickle its feet. Kiki was so busy hissing that she forgot how to even recognize love when it was staring her right in her face.
Now, and henceforth, let it be known and also inscribed within the annals of history that upon the afternoon of Saturday, October 31, 2026 in the three o’clock hour, Kiki remembered. Rather, Kiki began remembering.
Memories bloom in the slow, careful way of late October roses. To rekindle even the barest hint of a spark can take a lot of patience, kindness, gentleness, and time. And, we all need all of those things at every hour. At Tabby’s Place, they are abundantly available and shared generously. Time might be counted the most precious, but only because it is the most limited. Yet, without patience and kindness and gentleness, precious connections will not be made. Without these connections, all will be forgotten.
So, here’s the thing about what happened with Kiki: slow…slow…slowly, ever so tenuous connections have been forged. First, the hissing eased. Later, with ever more care and patience, the hissing shortened and softened. Over time, trust has been growing from the most fragile of seeds. It was barely discernable. Then, suddenly, on October 31, 2026, love bloomed grandly, unexpectedly, and enormously, just as love so often does.
Kiki’s tail rose high, high, higher into the air as love offered through fingertips sparked memory and was acknowledged, accepted, leaned into. Kiki remembered. Kiki bumped her head against fingers (also, accidentally, the wall) that offered pats and scritches. Kiki purred and snuffled with pleasure. Kiki relaxed and rolled and recalled.
Kiki’s response to love’s offering set off more sparks. With give and take (repeat repeat repeat), the tender blossom grew taller, stronger, more sure and assured.
With breathless astonishment more love poured out, and thirsty shoots drank greedily. Stronger, stronger. Surer, surer. Wonder was met with wonder. The blossom opened, petals fully extended.
In fine feline fashion, belly was shown for admiration. Belly was admired with awe. The squees were kept silent and internalized lest the spell be broken. Yet, love’s spell is not a spell at all, it is a promise as unbreakable, unconditional, and unending as the strength of the roots of the family that tend the garden that is all of us.
Kiki is one of all of us. And, maybe her memory of being loved and loving is fully restored. But, maybe on a different day she will only recall how to hiss. No matter. We are her family. So, come rain or shine, we will be here for Kiki in all the ways. We will love her and be here for her, just as we’re here for every other cat – just as we are for each other – always and always and happily, joyously in flower forever and ever after.