It has been almost five months to the day since we lost our wee beloved Toast the Cat. And we have missed her terribly. I keep thinking I see her out of the corner of my eye, but alas no. It is a handbag on a table in a dimly lit room or the meow is the squeak of two latches creaking together in the wind.
Even as I go through my garden photos looking for just the right image to compliment an article, she’s there, on almost every page. I never realised just how many photos I took of her. Almost everyday I’d find her adorable in the garden and capture the moment.
So over these past few months I missed her presence, sleeping in the warmth of the spring greenhouse, using my freshly dug garden as a loo, and photo bombing me as I tried to get that perfect shot in the fading light. There was an emptiness in the garden. A hole that couldn’t be filled in with a wee seedling or a shovelful of rich compost.
This catless state couldn’t be allowed to go on. A good garden needs a cat. After much searching, yesterday we brought a wee bundle home to enrich our lives with her kitten craziness. Our family has expanded by one and Fennel is 8 and a half weeks old and a bundle of energy and has the sweetest meow and a very loud and satisfying purr.
For now, she is exploring her world indoors and making herself at home. I had forgotten just how energetic kittens could be – it has been 16 years since we last had one and it is a lot faster paced than a sedate elderly cat. Interestingly fingers dancing over a keyboard are too much of a temptation for a curious kitten not to join in with, so I have to type even faster to complete my work uninterrupted.
The big outside world of the garden is still a little bit scary for her, (I tried to show her the garden but she was a bit frightened and dug her claws into my shoulder) so over the next few weeks I’ll slowly invite her to spend some time hanging with me while I work, and teach her in the ways of the garden. The benefits of snoozing under the shade of the corn, chasing the birds out of the strawberries, dancing with butterflies and pouncing on the marigolds swaying in the breeze and sleeping in the warmth of the greenhouse – just like Toast used to do.
So join us over the summer and watch wee Fennel grow into a cat, and learn to love the garden, which I’m sure she will.
Come again soon – I will get gardening done, once I finish being distracted by oodles of cute.
Sarah the Gardener : o)
Feeling that loss, we too are thinking of adding a kitten again after our lovely gal Rani crossed the rainbow bridge 3 months ago after 20 years in our lives. I think we must be mad as we have a ten year old dog and are retired and not nimble! !! Love fennel and love her name. Looking forward to her journey through her photobombs 😼
They make such an impact on our lives, but you never quite realise it until they are no longer there. Kittens bring such joy, I hope you find the new family member to suit your household. : o)
Have you thought of getting an older cat from a shelter? There are always plenty looking for homes, and an older cat might be better if you don’t feel up to handling a kitten!
That is such a good idea for Lynne. The shelters are always full of older cats needing some love. Kittens are quite full on! : o)
How sad and wonderful for you all.
It is so lovely to have a cat in the house again – it wasn’t quite right without one. : o)
I am so happy for little Fennel finding such a great home. I hope Fennel train y’all well.
She is already running rings around us. She’ll fit in nicely. : o)
Awww, she’s so cute. Looking forward to watching her grow up 🙂
Hi Elaine. The kids absolutely adore her, and so she isn’t lacking for cuddles. Kittens are very different to elderly cats though – it is easy to forget. : o)