Saturday, May 9, 2015

#Cat #Mother by Karen Rose Smith



A year ago on Mother's Day, my husband and I found Halo napping in our yard. We'd never seen her before. She was thin and looked as if she needed care. She didn't run but if she'd been on her own for a while, I knew she wouldn't trust easily. She came and went and we began to feed her. After about a month she took refuge from rain and storms in our open sunroom. She was staying and I suspected why. She was pregnant.

Halo in the shrubbery along our patio 



After an emergency visit to a vet--she had a severe case of colitis--we took her in. She was pregnant. I'd never seen a cat through a pregnancy. I consulted friends who had, put Halo on a special diet I cooked each day--poached chicken breast, white rice and pumpkin--and fed her every few hours.






A pregnant Halo
She became healthier and delivered three wonderful kittens--Tia, Mason and Miss Paddington. Halo was devoted to them, watched over them, nursed them, washed them. When they were old enough to escape the storage bin where they were born, she'd call them back to her and they'd come running. The awesome experience of watching her devotion and how her kittens thrived with her care is something my husband and I will never forget.






We found loving forever homes for Tia and Mason. We adopted Halo and Paddy and integrated them with our other two cats.



Mother and daughter time
Zoie and Paddy
Paddy and our three-year-old, Zoie Joy, got along from the start. They are now buddies. Halo continued to watch over Paddy when Zoie was around until she finally learned that Zoie is a sweetie too and would never hurt her baby.

Paddy is now ten months old and she still cuddles with her mom. Their bond is beautiful to see.

It's been a year since Halo came into our lives. (I believe my mom, who I miss dearly, sent her!) At first Halo seemed reluctant to accept affection but now she realizes she belongs here too. Besides just rubbing against our legs, she now comes to be petted and cuddles near us. The vet told us she believes Halo was in an accident and had a broken leg that somehow healed. I'd love to know her story. But whatever it was, she is safe and loved now. Watching her, I learned more about motherhood. Mothering her and her kittens is an experience I'll cherish always.



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Karen and Paddy
USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 87th novel will be released in 2015.

Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens. And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.
Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below. 


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©2015 Karen Rose Smith
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2 comments:

  1. Sandy Swanger BartlesMay 10, 2015 at 6:13 PM

    I loved this! It is always wonderful to hear about your kitties!

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  2. Deborah BlakeMay 13, 2015 at 6:55 PM

    Minerva, the cat I took in after along with two of her four kitten from the shelter (the other two were adopted by other people) turned out to be an amazing mother too. Thirteen years later, she still cuddles with her "kittens" and can often be seen grooming them. It is truly amazing.

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