The Cat Came Back...

I live at the end of a mile long country road, which is also where I grew up. Where it was mostly us and a two-hundred acre farm, my parents, grandparents, cattle, horses, cats, dog, and whatever other varmints would occasionally appear or pass through.

I moved back not too long ago. Living there is how I found my cat, Delilah, who appeared in our window around eleven years ago. It’s also how my parents got both of their cats. One was a rescue stray that was almost starved to death that we nursed back to health. The other was a kitten of a cat that appeared around the same time as my cat. The end of the road is popular for drop offs of all kinds.

Recently another cat has happened by. He was wild and mean, and wouldn't let anyone near him. I could hear the catfights when our cats got near him. After a few weeks, he appeared on my porch and I sat near him, still and not moving until he came near me and let me pet him. He head-butted me and rubbed against me like an old friend. Until I moved, when he quickly attacked and bit my hand! I still have vampire like marks on my palm. I started leaving food out and he waits for it morning and night. Anytime I look outside. He’s there, staring me in the eyes.

Last weekend, he got into a fight with Patch, my parents’ cat. My father set out a cage trap and caught my wild cat, who I now look forward to seeing every day. It was heartbreaking to see an animal so terrified about being caught in a trap, but I didn't want our pets hurt either. Dad took him away and let him out near a farm he knew had other barn cats.

That was two days ago. Last night I came home to find a big, black tom cat waiting happily and hungrily on my porch. Part of me is jubilant and yet my heart aches. For so little as some dry food, a spot on my porch, and some petting, this kitty was willing to walk MILES to come back to me. Animals are such amazing, loving, and loyal creatures.