I was doing my usual morning computer stuff last Friday morning when I saw a cat come calling in the backyard. This was a new guy not one of our usual visitors. Bree (our cat) did not like uninvited company and gave him a good piece of her mind with some very loud hissing. H to the rescue with a squirt bottle. H stood guard all morning with her weapon of destruction. I had to explain squirting Bree and my porch door was not the correct approach, she needed to squirt the visitor. However, by the end of the day, H and the stray had become the best of friends and she named him Cuddles. (My nickname for her.) It turns out Mr. Cuddles was a very friendly kitty. Bree, didn't care how friendly he was, was not welcome.
H however, rolled out the red carpet. Cat now had food and water. Cuddles the Cat did not leave but took up residence on the front porch driving our resident Cat Queen wild.
The big sister came over for Father's Day and succumbed to Mr. Cuddles' charm. She began plotting how to spring him on her roommate. She even decided to name him Finn, as in Huckleberry or as M says "Huggleberry."
I decided it was time to take him to the vet. First off, Cuddles was not a neutered male. H immediately offered her savings account to cover the cost when I staggered at paying $180. However, as it turns out, the check up was not good, he had feline leukemia and we all sobbed like babies. The best solution I could come up with off the cuff was to have him put down and ask for them to hold him until the husband returns from his trip so we can bury him in the backyard.
I believe God sent Cuddles to us so we could take care of him. All creatures great and small the Lord God made them all. Farewell, Cuddles, you were loved.
