My First Cat, Sunshine

Sunshine was my first cat, a beautiful orange and white rescue. I had him since I was a baby, and as I grew older, it became clear that he was my cat.

Later in his life, Sunshine disappeared for nearly a year, and we thought we would never see him again. One day, I spotted him by chance while riding on the school bus.

We found him injured and hiding under a rundown mobile home. After a trip to the vet and lots of care, Sunshine recovered and went on to live a happy life with me.

My pet sitter always took my cat out to give him exerercise

I used to have pet sitters come and ride my horse.

Smokey was a beautiful Arabian, though not exactly the gentleman you’d expect. My friends and I rode through wooded trails, and if any horse got in front of him, I had to hang on for dear life. He always insisted on leading and was so fast I thought I had it under control... until I didn’t. Yep, I fell off.

Thankfully, my friends were there to help. We searched everywhere for Smokey, only to find him calmly waiting at home with my very frantic mother!

My First Horse, Smokey

My Raccoon, Sabeth

Sabeth was a rescue, a baby raccoon who's home had been destroyed by tree cutters. He loved following me on walks and even slept in my bed at night. Big mistake.

Raccoons are nocturnal, and Sabeth made sure I knew it. He would kneed my face, poke his fingers in my nose and ears and generally treat me as his human jungle gym while I tried to sleep. I didn't get much rest.

Later we found a home where he could be rehabilitated and gradually acclimate to the wild. I visited him about six months later, and he seemed to be thriving.

Stray Mama Cat

I befriended a young stray cat, feeding her and leaving a blanket in the shed. She often meowed for attention and waited for me to pet her.

One day, she kept looking back at me and meowing as if she wanted me to follow her. She went up the hill and through a hole in the fence. I walked around the block and found her waiting at a broken basement window, still meowing for me to go, but I couldn't.

The next morning, I woke up to find her and her four kittens in my shed. She had carried them there, knowing her kittens would be safe. The kittens were feral and soon moved on. I never saw them again.

Crows often visit my home, their favorite meeting spot for leftovers. They sit in the trees, cawing until we come out to feed them, and if their not there in the morning, a single caw brings them flying.

They also warn us when hawks or other predators are nearby. My husband used to make fun of me, but now he caws along with them every morning, and they come to him just as quickly as they come to me.

My Crow Boys and Girls

I lived on the second floor, and it was a late cold winter night. I heard a repetitive thump, thump, thump at the door and worried someone might be trying to break in. When I pulled back the blinds to check, it was actually a cat pouncing at the door window. I put some food, water and a blanket out on the enclosed porch for it, but I never saw the cat again. At least it had a warm place to sleep for the night.

Cat at my door

I lived on the second floor. It was a cold winter night. I heard a thump, thump, thump on my door. I was scared it might be someone trying to break in. I pulled back my blind. What did I see? A cat pouncing at my window on my door. I put food and a blanket on my enclosed porch. I never saw the cat again.