My cats

By C.E. Pereira

Twilight came into my life when I was feeling very sad. I will always think that it was the angel who sent Twilight to me.

It was at that point in life where Scamp was diagnosed with an inoperable tumour that was attached to a main artery.

This little imp arrived at night, lost and hungry. After letting her inside the house and giving her some cat biscuits, she immediately made herself at home.

The next day I took her to the vet and the doctor gauged her age to be about six months old.

We tried searching for her owners around the neighbourhood but no one made any claim to her.

Twilight all settle down for a nap.

 

Twilight became one of the family within the week and I kept praying no one would claim her.

She followed Scamp and like a younger sibling irritated him a lot too.

But with us she did the opposite, she ignored us completely unless she wanted something.

Scamp always went out for walks on a leash, and it was easy to train Twilight to use a leash.

It was for almost close to a year of Twilight coming to us that Scamp was reaching his last days on this earth.

I had to make the hardest decision at that point in my life. Scamp was in constant pain and growing weaker each day. It was heart-breaking seeing my Scamp hurting so much. So I told the vet to put him to sleep.

From such a strapping large cat of about 7 kg he was getting thinner and light as a feather. It broke my heart then and still does now as I write this story.

I would like to think that when Twilight entered into my life it was also to help Scamp during his illness.

When Scamp died, Twilight turned her attention towards us. And this made it easier with the loss of Scamp. She kind of took his place and eased the pain for us.

She demanded for her walks. Talked to us as Scamp used to do. Those with pets will understand when I say our pets can “talk” to us.

When Twilight sits in front of her bowl which is empty and meows, looking at the bowl first before casting her eyes towards me, it is crystal clear that she wants food.

I talk to her then saying, “Why girl, mother’s Hubbard cupboard?” She will look at the cupboard and meow.

Twilight doesn’t like stale cat biscuits. So, if she sits in front of her bowl which still has biscuits and meows, that means she wants fresh biscuits.

Even with her water bowl, she demands fresh water twice a day. She is cute sitting in front of her bowl making meowing noises, which she is positive that we can understand her talk.

Twilight is a fascinating character. Just like Scamp she talks to me and always expects an answer from me.

Twilight is gentle and ladylike now. She is nine years old and gets stressed out with Shadow the new kitten that I rescued about seven months ago.

Now, it is Shadow who chases Twilight. And like siblings do, irritates her older sister in the same way as Twilight did to Scamp.

Mornings are the best time to watch these two dashing around the house and chasing each other.

Like High-noon at the OK Corral, these two cats will circle each other, paws raised, tails swishing, ears drawn back and bodies arching.

These two characters are my joy. Both my cats fill my days with laughter and amusement.

(31-1-2015)