Metamorphosis 2: March 2023

The stray cats in the village loves to hang out at our yard. Their favorite spots are the shady lanai, the boulder under the Yellow Bell tree and the wood bench. We welcome their presence because they keep the field rats away. They always attempt to sneak inside our house. But we have to keep them out because our children are allergy prone. We give them fresh water and food daily. In fact, pet foods are part of the grocery list.

We gave them nicknames. There is Mumshie cat – the gray-and-white cat who first took up residence at the lanai when she gave birth. Her best friend is Yaya cat, who took upon the job of taking care of Mumshie’s kittens, hence the name. Mumshie’s lone kitten died and we buried it at the nearby lot. She had another set of kittens later and we gave them names too. They roamed around the yard, until one day they disappeared. I tried searching for them around the village. I suspected got transported elsewhere. I noticed they like sleeping overnight under the neighbor’s car’s hood and probably, not able to leap out before it left the village. I can only hope that they made it, and someone took care of them.

Cat Bully is the tuxedo male cat in our area, and he bullies the female cats. He relented a bit but his nickname stuck. He seems forlorn at times, meow-ing about while roaming around the village streets.

One day, a pregnant calico cat appeared from nowhere and started following me and Kyla while we were walking around the village. I realized she was probably asking for help for her soon-to-be-born kittens. We fed her and let her stay at the lanai. She is a stern looking cat and we named her Grumpy mom. She gave birth and when her kittens were strong enough, they all hang around the lanai and became part of cat and kitty pack that we feed daily. Like a good mom cat, she brings food to her litter when she can, taught them how to use litter soil, bathed them and putting them in place when they are too naughty.

We adored her three kittens and gave them names too – Patch, Bacon and Ginger. It was at the height of the pandemic lockdown and these kittens were our daily companions at home.

I worked from home 100% of the time and the kittens, esp Ginger would sneak inside the living room and my office room for a nap. The three kittens, especially Ginger followed me around the yard and the nearby vegetable garden. Most of the time, they wrestle with each other while Kyla and I watch them. Kyla made make-shift toys for kittens, and they loved it.

My brother died in early 2022 and my father-in-law was brought into ICU for a long period of time, until he passed away later that year. My husband was away most of the time to take care of Tatay and I had to stay at home with our children. I got depressed at some point in time due to these turn of events.

The kittens were our source of joy, at that time when I was reeling from sadness and grief, and there was nowhere to go to but stay within the confines of our home. Ginger stayed with us the most while her brothers started wandering when they were > 6 months old. Whenever Kyla is playing the piano, Ginger will hover nearby as if listening to Kyla. I was in a virtual meeting one time when Ginger went into the office and jumped on my laptop. She agreed to wear her cat collar which would signal her presence when she is nearby. I was working late one evening and Ginger sat by the window of my office room and looking at me, as if asking me to wrap it up.

After the repatriation of my brother’s remains from KSA, my mother adopted Patch. I’m glad that one of them can have a forever home and serve as a companion for my parents. Mother says Patch likes watching TV with her and he is often served his favorite Tawilis. He is living a good life with my mom. He was recently neutered and he has grown to be a healthy and lovable cat.

Just few days after moving Patch, a feline virus struck the village cats. By then there were several kittens in the area of varying age, Cat Bully and the three mom cats. One by one, the kittens got sick and died. Our neighbor’s pet cat also died. The adult cats survived. Bacon got sick and did not return one day.

At first I thought Ginger was safe and I tried to segregate her from the others, but it was still too late. One day, she would not eat or drink even when I tried to spoon feed her and would not swallow the meds I tried to administer. One rainy day she tried to run away, and I followed her in the rain and brought her back home. I believe she knew then that she was dying. By nightfall, I could not find her and searched the area. Kyla found her under our car next morning, already in her last breath. I went to her immediately and wrapped Ginger in a towel. I wept and was sorry that we couldn’t rescue her.

Ginger was buried under her favorite Yellow Bell tree in our garden. It was heartbreaking to see the kittens wiped out by the feline epidemic, and more so, our beloved Ginger who brought us happiness at the time when my world was bleak.

I am sorry that we could not save you, Ginger. Little did she know, that in her own short but sweet life, she saved me from sadness and grief.

We’ll see each other again someday at the rainbow bridge – Ginger, all the pets we loved and the kittens we tried to save.