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A year ago today, the kitten that had mysteriously arrived a few days earlier under one of our hedges moved indoors with us.
We imagined that he was on an un-authorised walk-a-bout and that a search party would be looking for him, that we would see posters advertising for a lost kitten, so we got him checked out by our vet and waited.
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Moving from Washington State in 2018, we’d brought with us what remained of my foster-cat enterprise.
By last year, the count had diminished sadly from 13, but still having 6, we were hardly in the market for another cat and most particularly not a kitten.
But when no-one came looking for this little scrap, what were we to do?
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Dee Dee the self-appointed house manager viewed the interloper with disdain.
“He’ll grow into a stinky boy-cat!”
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Lily’s seniority entitles her to be the house manager but she looks down on such mundane functions.
She spends her time contemplating cat philosophy and making loud proclamations.
“He’s small-fry”, she declared.
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“Just make sure he minds his manners!”
…said Willow.
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Blackie viewed the small boy the way she views everything, with wide eyed suspicion.
But she’s a kind-hearted cat.
She would adjust without complaint.
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Sophia was busy with her own adventures, having belatedly developed confidence, in our reduced cat population.
If she was concerned about the kitten, she didn’t say so.
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Muffin? Well she’s Himalayan and believes in tolerance.
If the kitten must stay, then so be it.
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Believing that the boy’s visit would be temporary, we avoided naming him, referring to him as Little Man and by the time we acknowledged that he’d joined the family, he had begun responding to the sound of those two words, so they became his name, mostly because we couldn’t agree on anything else.
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I favoured Longfellow because he is – a long fellow, but Little Man it has remained.
He settled into our home and into our hearts and it was as if he was heaven sent to bring life back to a household of aging cats and people.
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Young animals of any kind are amusing to watch as they gambol about playing and laughter really is good for the soul.
Little Man’s antics cracked us up.
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It was when Little Man got out one day that we realised how deeply we’d fallen in love with this small cat.
When he failed to return by nightfall we were crushed. I’d had a cat disappear once before. The not knowing is hard to bear. We were numb.
Luckily, we have a trailcam and on the second morning we discovered that Little Man had come back in the small hours.
So that night we sat bundled up against the cold with the door open and a bowl of food nearby to tempt our delinquent in.
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It’s hard to express the overwhelming relief and joy of Little Man’s return.
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“Are we done fussing?”
“Can we have some food now?”
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Today he’s been with us for a year, which makes him about 18 months old.
There have been many cats in my long life and I have loved them all, even those that did not love me back. Each one was special in its own way, but of all the cats I have encountered, Little Man is the most affectionate.
I have never known a cat so willing to be cuddled, demanding it even. Attempting to kiss a cat’s tummy could get you savaged, but Little Man purrs madly as I bury my head in his belly.
His warm, soft body is such a comfort.
He found the perfect home by chance, and gives you joy in return.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you, Carolyn, for a wonderful reminder of the personalities of all your cats and their portraits. And then there is a special addition, Little Man, the most playful and loving young cat who came from nowhere and now gives you so much joy. A long life to you both!
Joanna
It’s true that he’s cute !
Little Man is an adorable blessing, who has found so much love in your home.
I have enjoyed all of your stories, and pictures, of him, and his antics.
His sweet nature comes through in all of your pictures of him.
I am so happy for you, and your family!
Catherine
What a delightful update! Happy homecoming Little Man.
Great and heartwarming post! Little Man is such an adorable cat.
Little Man is a real blessing! I’m so glad he chose your home to also become his home. And he has grown into a beautiful cat. I think, deep down, the girls are actually in love with him 😉.