Kittens
Hey friends,
Just the other day I was hanging out with one of my friends. I asked her if she was down for a solid long walk in our area to which she contentedly agreed. Y’all should know that my area is full of dogs and cats if not some parrots and rats accompanied by a couple of pigs, at times peacocks, and bats.
While walking up the hill toward my home, we discerned some sorta movement. As we turned around to the maneuver- there was this path by 5th street where we saw a nearly grown-up kitten near a bench under the lamppost. It was hiding as we approached but I tried to make a familiar sound, which but-obviously goes like ‘Meeeoooooowwww’.
I had a firm belief that it’ll work, even though I knew for a fact that I never had the pleasure or opportunity to own a pet myself and I didn’t have any real-good memories with dogs especially, so to say, I’m an amateur. Nevertheless, I tried that a couple of times. And to my ‘never have I saw this coming mindset’- the cat responded.
Now, I’m not sure how this works, but it did with a belief so kudos! lol
Things just got better as I kept making that sound and snapped my fingers. Eventually, the cat started coming closer and closer, and the next thing we saw, it was trying to get comfortable between my feet as they were close because of me standing straight. And I won’t deny that I did love it.
We perceived that the cat was having fun with me and was comfortable enough we supposed. Within minutes it started to show me its belly and there’s when something triggered in my mind that I heard something before about a cat exposing its belly to someone.
According to the Toronto Humane Society:
“When a cat shows you their belly, the cat is relaxed, comfortable, and doesn’t feel threatened. They feel safe enough to expose their vulnerable areas without worrying about being attacked. They are pretty much telling you, “I trust you with my life.” It’s a great honor!”
It felt like a small accomplishment that I was capable of taming a cat. I can’t really put into words or describe the feeling that stays deep within my heart but I was truly in awe. The cat trusting someone unknown in this very barbaric world- where everyone thinks of their needs and wants, I was profoundly touched.
But it doesn’t end here, or maybe on a good note.
We played and spent time with the cat for a good amount of time until it pounded to our realization that it was late for us to return to our respective homes. And I must admit that this wasn’t an easy choice to leave the cat all alone. But we had no option but to go back home in the wrath of helplessness.
I took the way uphill to my home as the cat followed along. We tried to run but it followed us. As I mentioned that it wasn’t particularly a full-grown cat but a nearly full-grown kitten; if that makes sense in any way. Hence it wasn’t used to the traffic. And here’s where it got worse.
As the cat followed us in the middle of the road, a car approached at full speed. The driver thought that the cat is mindful enough to step aside but it didn’t. Krrrrrrrr the driver applies the break and the cat moves aside and approaches the road again, and the car drifted as it was about to hit the pole.
With God’s grace, the cat was harmless, but the incident got me thinking real-deep about many such stray cats and their living.
Loneliness and Purpose
I’m damn sure that the way I’m gonna present my take is gonna be uncanny but it’s a fresh or not-so-utilized perspective.
You know, after that very incident, I thought a lot about adopting the cat. Though it’s not that easy I suppose and hence I contacted a bunch of people who own cats. And as per them- a cat is a low-maintenance pet, so one can consider doing so. Still, we were helpless.
And that got me thinking about a couple of things in the future.
I generally don’t talk with a lot of people in a day, and the fact that I’m planning to pursue my further education abroad, there can be points where I feel lonely. Adopting a cat can solve that purpose in a way!
When I was playing with the cat, there wasn’t a single second when I felt lonely like I sometimes do (which is normal though lol). It’s such a wholesome thing to have at your place, a pet that you can be with, more like a family.
Additionally, people lack purpose. Now, of course, me pursuing an education would be one of my purposes and then my career. But if it wasn’t for the career, you’d have a family to take care of. Adopting a cat can help you in that sense. Caring for the cat, feeding it, earning for it, making it feel comfortable, playing — just like having a child.
So it not only cures solitude but even adds a purpose- something that keeps you going, something that keeps you engaged, something that you’ll now earn for, and something that you’ll now take care of!
Stray Cats
According to studies, stray cats are at a higher risk for death than cats that live in homes due to a lack of access to proper care, food, and shelter. Some of the common causes of death for stray cats include:
- Disease: Stray cats are at a higher risk for contracting diseases such as feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus, as well as upper respiratory infections.
- Injury: Stray cats may be at risk for injuries from fights with other animals or from being hit by cars.
- Starvation: Stray cats may not have regular access to food and may be malnourished.
- Cold weather: Stray cats may not have adequate shelter to protect them from extreme temperatures.
- Poisoning: Stray cats may accidentally ingest toxic substances such as antifreeze or pesticides.
- Euthanasia: Some animal control facilities may resort to euthanasia for unclaimed stray cats.
It’s important to note that there are also many organizations and individuals working to help stray cats, by providing food, shelter, medical care, and trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs to control the population. TNR programs help reduce the number of stray cats, improve their health and well-being, and reduce the number of cats euthanized in shelters.
What if you find a stray cat?
If you find a stray cat, there are several steps you can take to help the cat and ensure its safety:
- Check for identification: Look for a collar or tag that may have the cat’s name or owner’s contact information. If the cat is microchipped, a shelter or vet can scan the cat for contact information.
- Provide food and water: If the cat appears to be hungry or thirsty, provide it with food and water.
- Contact local animal control: Call the local animal control agency or shelter to report the stray cat and see if it has been reported as lost.
- Post on social media: Take a photo of the cat and post it on social media platforms and local lost and found pet groups to see if anyone recognizes the cat and is searching for it.
- Provide temporary shelter: If the cat appears to be injured, sick, or in poor condition, provide it with a warm, dry place to rest.
- Bring the cat to a veterinarian or animal welfare organization: If possible, bring the cat to a veterinarian or animal welfare organization for a check-up and proper care.
- Consider fostering or adopting: If the cat is not claimed and you’re able to give it a home, consider fostering or adopting the cat.
It’s important to remember that stray cats may be scared or defensive, so approach them with caution and give them space. If you’re unable to take care of a stray cat, contact a local animal welfare organization, they may have resources and programs to help stray and feral cats.
Conclusion
This particular read was pretty unique and peculiar from what I generally write, and I totally agree. But I wanted to highlight an incident in my life and my learnings from it.
I still can remember that moment when the was in the middle of the street, which was truly horrifying. Hence if was I capable enough to help that cat, adopt it, I’d have done that right away. The fact that I couldn’t do that, the cat, unfortunately, disappeared from the stop. That doesn’t mean that it has died or something like we never know! But at least this is the bare minimum I could do- write an article about the same and create awareness!
Also, it adds up lessons to life in a way that having a cat can serve you with purpose and cure alienation, save the life of the cat and do something good for the animal society. Contacting the NGOs and the welfare programs, and getting involved in something that we indeed consider as HUMANITY.
That’s it for me.
Think about it…
Thank you friends for reading this article, I’m glad hoping that I’ve given some value addition to your life and you can relate to this. Have a great day, and cherish every moment, until next time, peace!
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