And then there was one.
*sigh*
I really didn’t want to write this blog post. But, having written about the times and travails of Chime and her brood, I’d be remiss if I didn’t describe the next adventure…
The tom got Tiger today. Pia, Malka and I were all home. The first we knew of a problem was the sound of a cat fight issuing from Chime’s area. By the time we all stampeded into the hallway, the only things visible were two cats disappearing out through the front gate, one carrying a dark-toned tabby kitten, the other chasing hard on his heels.
I quickly gathered up Leopard, and held her close. Then we waited for Chime to return. Once she was back, mother and kitten had a somewhat tentative reunion, sniffing and washing as if to make sure the other was there. Both cats seemed discombobulated a bit as they sniffed and felt around and around in the box for the vanished Tiger. The rest of us are left pondering Tiger’s karma, and wondering about this aspect of Nature’s Grand Design.
*sigh*
This is the ugly side of life here. Dogs, cats and monkeys all reproduce as much as they can. There’s no knowing what fate is in store for a baby other than that the sun will rise tomorrow. Everything else is in the lap of the gods. On kora, once, I watched a baby monkey make a perfect jump from a tree branch. Its landing spot happened to be an electrical transformer. There was a loud pop, and then the rushing sound of the monkey’s mother diving in to rescue the body. The monkey troop moved on. On another kora, I watched a number of new-born puppies playing in the street. The runt of the litter struggled to keep up, moving slowly and clumsily after its mates. I just looked at the little thing, and knew. It died shortly afterwards. Several of the puppy’s littermates fell prey to fast-moving taxis.
Even the people here carry something of this attitude. I remember visiting our landlord’s house, where several female relatives were out in the courtyard, soaking up some winter sun. One was tending her newborn. I asked the baby’s name, and was informed it didn’t have one yet. People here wait a couple of months to name a child, when they’re more certain it’ll survive.
I should probably write something more soothing and inspirational here. Something that will take a bit of sting out of the loss. But, you know what? I got nothin’.
why have to be soothing? “[Life] is always an adventure and - not all are good.” Something out of the latest light and fluffy book I was reading, but it struck a nerve, y’know?
I ran into that “wait to name a child” thing in Nicaragua - the baby would be named at 6 months - until then he was just “baby”. We here expect our children to grow up, we limit our families. Does that make it harder on us when some of them don’t? We assume death can’t happen, but it does anyway.
Comment by Elizabeth | April 16, 2007
Pushed send before I finished the thought - I’m sorry your Tiger is gone. I’ll be holding good thoughts for the Leopard.
Comment by Elizabeth | April 16, 2007
Sorry Sunshine, Fil and wish we could share a few beers and give you a big squash, for the loss of your Tiger.
Comment by A | April 16, 2007
Oh, Dear One, how very sad. I *know* it’s part of the Plan, that it’s the Way it Works. But I’m still sad for the poor kitties, and for Chime. And for you all, there, who can however know that those sweet kitties enjoyed their brief time with their mother in the warmth of your home. The American attitude towards Death is so weird, a combination of terror and aversion, yet none, plant, animal or human, escapes it. I’ll say a little of my flavor prayer for the sweet babies, and I say Thank You to you. For the kitties, for all you do, and for my own precious cats here with me.
Comment by Dale-Harriet in WI | April 16, 2007
I understand about “I got nothin”. 32 (I think it was) people were killed on campus at VA Tech today. Kids. Why? It wasn’t a natural disaster, not an “act of G-d”… It was somebody with a gun who wasn’t able to control himself.
I want to know who to ask about this kind of stuff but even if there was someone to actually ask I’m not sure I’m sufficiently evolved to understand the answer.
Just noticed that evolved has loved in it.
Comment by Sarah | April 16, 2007
So sorry about the kitten and Fate. Seems to be one of those times of exodus — a friend of my dad’s finally let go yesterday and is at peace now. Perhaps he needed a kitten?
Comment by Sylvia | April 16, 2007
I’m so very sad to hear of Tiger’s loss. I shall send healing energy to you, Chime and Leopard. I’ll also see if I can’t send energy to let the tom find a non-nursing female and leave Leopard alone. Sending you long-distance hugs.
Comment by cloud | April 16, 2007
Sarah, after reading your comment I immediately went out to CNN.com to catch up. Very little news reaches this remote part of the world. Some folks have TV, but use it to watch the latest Bollywood videos. There’s newspapers, but they’re very regional.
I’m just in shock. Shortly I go down to the lake on kora, where I’ll be saying my own prayers not only for Tiger, but for Virginia Tech students…
Comment by admin | April 16, 2007
Joy was telling me about this at Knit Camp over the weekend. Since I got home, I’ve been looking into the possibility of trekking over to see what little bit I can do to help with the dog & cat situation. If I can make things happen, I’m sure we’ll all be in touch. All your and Joy’s reports on Rewalsar certainly make it tempting.
Comment by Mel | April 24, 2007