My husband and I have had the pleasure of sharing our space with many cats and kittens over the years. First on our hobby farms and now in our in-town home.
On our hobby farms, any cat passing through was offered daily food and water and a place to sleep. In our big barn, we would put out dry and canned food and water every morning. And there was a big, dry hay loft full of straw (and blankets) in which to cuddle up and sleep. During especially cold snaps in the winter months, we would hang heat lights in various (safe) spots - not in the hay loft - so that they could stay warm during the coldest of nights. I don't remember seeing any cats under the heat lights...but, I do remember seeing our peacocks under them rather than roosting as they usually did.
My heart went out to these homeless, helpless animals and we did all that we could to feed them, love them and keep them alive. Our hearts also took in sheep, goats, horses and whatever other animal or bird that needed a home...It's all been so worth it. We received much more love and joy from them, than we could ever give. Often times, obviously pregnant cats would wander into our farm, and we would take extra care of these mama's and their kittens.
Usually, a few would stick around, but generally, they would move on. Even though I felt like it, I wasn't going to trap them in somewhere...only offer them food, water and a safe place to stay, medical treatment if they needed it, until they felt that they needed to leave.
Fast forward to the selling of our last hobby farm in Wisconsin..and our move into a big old Victorian house...in the Michigan UP, in town. We still have several chickens in a coop, a parrot and a rescued dog. And now, after visiting our local Humane Society...a cat. Everyone gets along famously, and we are entertained by our little girl Sadie Cat every day.
She is perfect for our home and for us. She is very vocal and enjoys playing/teasing our dog - Tipo. She has not bothered our parrot, and she is an inside cat - ask promised...so, no messing with the chickens.
When I take the time to watch her...she just comes and goes...naps, eats...gets a case of the zoomies once in a while and will rub up against any part of us to receive snuggles and pets. She always purrs like a little happy motor. I've put together a cardboard box with all of her 'stuff'...which she jumps into and then proceeds to empty out every day. I gather it all up once she leaves for another adventure and always add something new that she might like...crinkled up paper, a bag, a bell, a feather...I craft a lot...so my supply of fun stuff is endless.
She will come when we call her. When we're not sure where she is, we call her and soon we can hear here sweet 'conversations' coming down the stairs, from upstairs or coming upstairs from downstairs. And, she continues telling us...whatever...once she is on our lap or rubbing up against us. I like to think that she is telling us about everything that is going on in our neighborhood. She has several windows, with pillows, that she sits at upstairs and watches the world go by.
No stress...no problems...just food, naps and love.
As I get older, that's all I that I want also...so, I hope that when the day comes...I return as a cat that lives in a big, lovely home with a loving, fun family.
But, in my always busy head and big imagination (I'm a writer of whimsical stories) I think that I might actually come back as a cat that lives in a big city, kind of the God Mother of the streets of the neighborhood. Often getting into arguments and sometimes fights...but always surviving and helping others less fortunate. Making deals with local shop owners for food and protecting others when they need protecting. Just kind of strolling around like I own the neighborhood. Always helping others find food and warm, dry places to sleep.
The big loving home sounds wonderful, but the street smart, city dwelling crusader sounds pretty perfect also. Whichever will be fine with me...as long as I am a cat....
