It was dark and frightening.

Heavy rains fell and thunder roared, because Typhoon Quinta was hitting Negros Island that night. Then, we heard something. A sound not so strange to us– tiny meows from somewhere near our front gate.

The downpour lessened the next day so we were able to check where the noise was coming from.

My mom saw a yellow and white kitten that had gone inside our gate and had been hiding behind the bushes near the wall. Mama called me to look at the kitten but I didn’t want to see the poor thing in a sad plight so I just prepared cat food and handed it to my mom.  We left the food near his hiding place so that he could get some sustenance but the poor thing would just eat a little. We observed him for hours trying to see where he would go next. He would leave through the gap in our gate then come back again. Days after we would still see him in different spots around our backyard. We would hear him meowing behind the plants near the grotto or jumping around at the back of our house.

MAGIC MORNING

That feeling of fear and doubt went on for a week until one magic morning, this kitten- skinny and needy of touch, food and love just came closer to  me and my mom. Oh, what a joy we felt! Then, we tried to give him food but he still  wouldn’t touch it. I called the vet and she said that we need to give him vitamins to boost his appetite and strengthen his immune system. My mom gave him the milk and vitamins through a syringe to make sure he gets it all.

Days after, he was already a new cat.

LUCKY SUNNY

And we named him Lucky Sunny. This kitten is so lucky to have braved the storm and live,  He has   such a sunny disposition despite his past! This name was chosen by my young cousins who immediately fell in love with Sunny, who as the days go by is growing to be more affectionate and adorable. I thought of fostering him and eventually have Sunny adopted but I got a big NO from my cousins when I asked them about the idea. So, we now have an addition to our cat family.

INTRODUCING A NEW CAT

I have three cats in our home and am also fostering a visiting senior cat (Papa Cat) who eats, sleeps and mingles freely with our cats. Mama Cat used to be a stray cat but she became at home with us and eventually didn’t want to leave. And she gave birth to Chabby, who is the bratty type, a picky eater and the one who is choosy with whom she befriends. Goldie, Chabby’s furbrother, is a certified mama’s boy who is loving but loves to play rough with the other cats. They all make a happy cat family and just  watching them makes my heart happy.

In fact, whenever I hear pet owners share stories of how their furbabies act like stress relievers in their lives, I can certainly relate with them.

HOW TO HANDLE A NEW CAT IN THE FAMILY

Since this isn’t the first time that we are taking care of cats, minor adjustments are now being observed due to Sunny’s arrival.

We make sure that he is not bullied by the bigger cats so we have to feed them separately.

As responsible owners, it is a must that we should have our pets vaccinated.

So, Sunny will also have his shots once he reaches the appropriate age for vaccination.

Having your cat spayed/ neutered will surely make them healthier as they grow older.

I learned the importance of this procedure when I had Chabby and Goldie undergo this when they were younger.

Now that they are adult cats they just stay put during mating season making it a lot safer for them than to wander around at night.

Also their bodies won’t sag, will remain healthy and safe from diseases resulting from child bearing and other infections once they are spayed or neutered.

And this is what I also want Sunny to experience since he is already ours.

And I believe that fateful night, God led him to our home because He knows we can lovingly care for this helpless little soul.