Cat Lady Problems...

So I come home from a long day of work, and working out, and this little kitten is curled up smack in the middle of my front door mat, waiting for me to feel sorry for it. Animals have sucker radar.

Ugh. For as much as I love animals, I've been pretty lucky with strays. The last stray cat I happened upon years ago, exmanfriend adopted, and just like that, problem solved!

Of course, I scooped this little guy up, and took him out back and gave him a can of cat food.

He barely came up for air while chowing down. I knew right then...that this cat was not going away.  I petted him and talked to him, and when I went inside....he cried outside my windows.

He pulled at my heart strings. Since I volunteer at a rescue, I already have to deal with everyone I know wanting to dump strays off on me. It's hard to say no.

But, I already have 4 senior cats, that aren't vaccinated, and one more cat, let alone a stray kitten is just not an option for me.

So, I'm doing the next best thing to taking him in. I'm going to take him into the semi-feral cat program at the rescue and get him neutered on the cheap, and set him back out to roam.

I will still try to find someone to adopt him, but even a cat lady has to know when to say "when". And at least I'll know I did my part to stop the cat over-population!

My Compassionate Heart....

Tuesday, on my normal route to work thru the city, I came upon some slowed traffic. The closer I got, I saw what at first appeared to be smoke billowing around an SUV, I thought someone's radiator must've blown. When I crept closer, I saw it was not smoke.

It was fur.

Someone struck a deer. Not the norm on the city streets at all. I only saw the horrible image for about 2.2 seconds, as the doe struggled to get up, only to fall again, frantically trying to find safety, but obviously not going to live.

I immediately shielded my line of vision with my hand, so I could pass by, and just as instantly, out of nowhere...I started to sob. I have never seen a hurt animal in the flesh, intentional or otherwise. Especially now living in the city.

And I couldn't stop crying. My heart ached for that deer.When I got to my desk. I kept sobbing.

When the girls came to talk to me and saw I was upset, I felt a bit stupid saying I was fine, and telling them what had happened. But I can't apologize for being me. I was really shaken.

Yes, it was "just a deer". One of millions that are hit by cars, or shot by hunters on a daily basis. But to me, it was much more than that, it was a wounded soul. I thought about it all night. When I went to sleep, I prayed to the universe for peace from the image of the deer, so that I could put it to rest.

Then, this morning I woke up early to let out the dog. And I saw the most beautiful sight!

Look who chose my backyard to take a rest in! A beautiful deer!

I believe in the universe, and karma, and how everything happens for a reason. I knew deep down, that this wasn't random. It was an answer to my prayer. This deer was there to make my heart feel better.

I left home feeling a sense of peace, and rightness in the world!

And I had the best day!