Delightfully quiet Sunday morning. Unexpected knock at the door. Guests grinning widely, “We have a surprise for you”! From a cardboard box they thrust a palm sized, whining, coal black organism. “What is it?” I ask. “Why did you bring it here?” chimes husband, Bob. Estimated to be a day old, umbilicus still attached, the abandoned kitten was found by their gentle female rottweiler, in the barn. They brought it to the shelter, where they were told “due to the constant care and their already overloaded capacity, he would most likely be humanely euthanized”. They confess their brainstorm, “No way! Tina can help us”! I then recall them executing a speedy departure, affirmed by skid marks in the driveway. Bob and I stood there, speechless; me clutching the glassy eyed noisemaker, expecting the punch line at any moment. As a photographer and a karate instructor, we have flexible schedules---which were altered to accommodate his every need. His voraciousness demanded feeding every two hours, followed by the not so glamorous job, accomplished above the commode. Bob excelled at the latter. When we did have to leave, we barricaded him in the bathroom. As our punishment, Toy became a master of “hide and come seek me”, getting into the darndest places. One month old rescued, sister kittens Bodhi and Claudia acted like he was their personalized stuffed animal, resulting in his name, Toy. When he wasn’t being “cat-handled” by them, he pounced at our feet, or flung himself over our shoulders. He slept on a pillow, between us; otherwise we would be serenaded by his crying. The plan was to keep him for another eight weeks, and find a wonderful home for him. Toy never left (huge surprise). This now eighteen pound, black panther comes when called, sits on command and enjoys harnessed walks outside. We celebrated his first birthday by getting a new door mat, out front. It says, “GO AWAY!” >^..^<

Claudia & her sister, Bodhi were born at my house.

 

We had a scare with Claudi last month. I was rubbing her tummy, one night and felt a hard "marble". Got her to the vet, next day.  It was as I suspected: a mammary tumor. It was surgically removed 3 days later, the tests came back negative--thank goodness. MTs can occur quickly and return, catching it early and two surgeries bought her a year.

Lai is Chance's sister, born in our house. She is so tiny (5lb) everyone thinks she is a kitten.