Parenthood….

Where to start…OK…

Essentially, anyone can be a parent – some are great parents – others not so great.

We are in the process of experiencing parenthood ourselves – no, no, no!!! We are not having a child – good Lord – we have raised our children – the only children I wish now are grand babies! and nieces and nephews of course.

I am talking about the marvels of farm life parenthood.

As you recall back in the fall – we had experienced our first “dumping” of the stray animals on our cosy little farm. Four kittens to be exact – little scraps of kittens – perhaps 6 weeks old. So cute and so frightened of big humans.

We made them a home, we fed them, we talked to them and we gained their trust. We saw them through the worst winter in years. What we failed to do was spay/neuter them. We are not ignorant in the raising of cats. We have 5 of our best friends sharing our home. We have nursed back to health many many stray cats. We simply thought we had more time. We were wrong.

Orange, Fuzz, Lyla and Scraps became our outdoor cats. I was fortunate enough to find a home for Fuzz (he is now Hef living the life of Riley in a home surrounded by adoring woman – hence the name Hef)

Andre – our wandering – sometimes here male tom cat came sashaying in with his black and white tuxedo (hence the name Andre – he reminded me of a maitre di in a fancy French restaurant) and the ladies swooned. Scraps and Lyla got knocked up.

Scraps the Fierce gave birth to her litter Sunday night. Three precious little “Scraps” of her own and the wonder began.

I have seen kittens before. It has been long time since I have had the joy of truly studying a female cat be a mother.

I sit with her and I talk to her- telling her what a good job she has done. Call me corny, but she seems almost serene in motherhood. Calm and I swear smiling in her accomplishment.She is nurturing and giving for such a young cat mom. She can only be maybe 8 months old. She does her motherly duties to perfection. I feed her out of my hand so she does not have to get up. When she does get up, she is the old Scraps that landed on our door step months ago – but somehow different.

In some small recess of my mind – I would like to think that she recognises me as a kindred mother. Silly I know – but I wonder.

I just came in from the barn. Fed my boys and tucked them in. Made sure they had hay in the barn so they could get out of the rain.

Scraps was there and my last stop prior to coming in was to check on her kittens. She followed me into the barn, grabbing a snack on the way to settle in with her brood- and she looked at me and she purred. I pet her and she settled.

Lyla is due any day. Lyla is not the brightest bulb of the litter so I cannot wait to see how that all pans out.

Luckily I have homes for most and what I cannot find homes for we will take to the shelter for some happy family to adopt. They are so pretty with their little kitten faces.

I have a call into the vet to get appointments to get them spayed already. Sooner than later but I have to say -I am glad I got to experience.

Just to add to this – I know I reference mother alot. I have many male friends who are raising children on their own so this is for you too. While you may not have the reproductive organs that us women do – you are still a parent – and damn fine ones at that!!!

Parenthood – no matter the species – is a gift. I am happy that Scraps shared her gift with us.