Oberon, King Of Elves, continued

Dear friends, remember the kitten I found in the woods? I followed his screeching plea for help. There he is, in the picture. Three weeks of sitting by the fence that separated me from him, bringing food and water, neighbors who helped out, and finally, it dawned on me to bring a toy. It made him forget his fear and come charging under the fence to my side, to play with me! A good lesson for us all, that playing together may accomplish a lot toward solving problems and creating a bond. 

He's the most affectionate, smart, dear little boy you could imagine. He's been to the vet for his boosters. "He must be very strong, " the vet said, "to have survived." 

Yes, he's a little man, all right. I call him Oberon. That is the King of the Forest Elves. In my memory will always be his tiny face peering out, hopeful, and terrified, from the scrub in the woods. Like a forest elf. And the precious way he gave up his fear and choose to trust me. 

Yesterday I was biking home when I spotted a neighbor's cat, dead in the street. I am always sad to see that. But this particular cat I used to see rolling on his back on the porch, right next to a rather large German Shepherd. He seemed to say, "I can play here safely because my buddy here will scratch your eyes out." lol. It always made me smile. Sometimes the cat would be leaned up against the Shepherd, or just sleeping contentedly on the porch.

So it was sad indeed to see that likely, as they tend to do here in town, someone was driving too fast, and didn't even stop. So the cat is gone. I went up to the door, and soon the lady was upset and crying. 

Today I took over a little note, full of rose petals of different colors, to say again how sorry I am. We talked in her yard for a long time. It turns out we're both crazy about animals.

She said she knows cats are not safe out doors. It's true. A cat's life outdoors is average only two years. Indoors, they can live 18 years. There's every kind of danger out there. A few cruel people, chemicals, fighting cats and big dogs and then, cars. Cats cannot detect cars approaching, except by the sound.

But for her life outdoors is worth the risk. I am not one to judge what people decide is right. It is a hard call. To coop them up inside; or allow them to wander into harm. For me, I keep them in. I give them a cat tree, grass to chew, toys, daily exercise, and one cat actually goes for a short walk with me everyday. I feel I am responsible for their safety. They don't understand the dangers outside, and so, they have to live inside. For her, she had paid the price of believing differently. 

I cannot have three cats where I live. And one of my cats is sick with jealousy and upset over Oberon's being here. So...I like this lady so well,and her pets just glow with health, so I brought up the rescue. In

five seconds she said, "I'd take him!"

I said maybe he'd rather stay inside. Scary things happened to him in that woods. She said that would be fine.

I am sad to say good bye to this darling little kitten. He's exceptionally loving. We went through something together. He's attached to me.

I've seen this lady's animals though and they are as happy and loved as can be. It seemed...like one of those things the universe brings into being. 

So Oberon, little brave fellow of the woods, who lost his voice, soon you will have a new and loving home.  (And i will tell you about the shameless Happy Dance my jealous cat will do, the second Oberon is gone!)

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Tags: wordbird, animals, cats, pets, Loss, rescue