So it was “Archie” and “Missy” who went back into the carrier to visit the vet. We had chosen one a few blocks from home, and were delighted when everyone there made a big fuss over our kittens. The vet checked then over and said they seemed in good heath. Missy had a little diarrhea, but he thought that the move had upset her and with a little Kaopectate she would soon be back to normal.
We were surprised to learn that the vet had an arrangement with the shelter: the first check-up visit was free! We were delighted. We told ourselves that owning cats was not going to be as expensive as we had thought. (Time would prove that we couldn’t have been more mistaken.)
Supper that first evening was interesting. We began to suspect that Missy had lived in a house before. When I opened the refrigerator, she came tearing into the kitchen and leaped inside. The whole time I was preparing the meal, she meowed loudly at my feet and looked pointedly at the counter. Then, when we sat down to eat, she insisted on joining us. Several times, she climbed up my leg and into my lap, her goal the tabletop. The first time, I said a firm “NO” and lifted her down. Or tried to: her claws were attached to my shirt. When she found she could get nowhere with me, she tried the kids. This cute trick became old quickly.
Then it was time to prepare for the kittens’ first night in their new home. With the problem of diarrhea (Missy’s) and the unresolved question of allergies (ours), as well as ubiquitous cat-hair, it became advisable to protect the upholstery. So out came old sheets and towels and everything was draped against an accident. Missy loved this part. She would run from one end of the couch to the other as I tucked in the sheets, trying to catch the wrinkles before they disappeared.
Then, making sure there was food, water and clean litter, we turned off the lights and went to bed. As tired as I was, I was also worried. Would they be alright by themselves? What if something happened to them? What if we found the dead in the morning? (I know, but that’s how my mind works.)
“Dear Lord, please watch over them and protect them. Amen.”
That night I dreamed that I had two new human babies in my house. I was running out of formula and diapers and there was a storm on the way. I needed to wrap the babies but couldn’t find blankets. Whatever my “conscious” mind thought, my subconscious was clearly every nervous about having pets and not in the least afraid to tell me about it.
On nights when sleep just will not come, and troubles fill my mind,
I yearn to find a way to leave anxiety behind.
What better way, though, could there be than casting all my care
Upon the One who cares for me? He loves to hear my prayer.
He promises, when I can’t sleep from worry or from fright,
That I may safely trust in Him: ’cause He’ll be up all night.