Oliver the Orphan

Little Oliver.

A.k.a. "Little Pooper" "Poopy", "Baby Boy", "Monkey", "Monster Monkey" and "My Little Lover".

He was no more than a week old, eyes not yet open, ears still laid down, when he was found. There he was, the morning of 4th of July, on my aunt's farm in northern Minnesota, abandoned (or forgotten) by his mother, meowing at the top of his little lungs in the grass by my aunt's garage.

My cousin first discovered him, and left him there, believing that mama would be back soon enough, to complete the baby's transfer to the new hiding place. Having been on the farm his entire life, my cousin had known hundreds of cats and kittens, and things usually worked themselves out where they were concerned. However, by that evening, this little bitty life was still sitting in the grass by the garage, unable to see, unable to stand on his wobbly little legs, and crying, crying, crying for his mother, ...and it was getting dark.

Did mama miscount? Did she abandon him on purpose? If so, what could be wrong with him???

This is when the kitten was brought to my attention, and that was all it took. Nightfall was coming on, and there was no way that something this defenseless would survive a night on the farm. Some other creature would surely eat him if we left him alone. A hawk, an owl, a coyote, a wolf, a raccoon. The number of possible predators was a daunting proposition. So, I accepted the mission. I scooped this tiny gray kitten into a makeshift shelter cardboard box, and I began to vex.

How will I feed him? What do I do??? He is so so hungry! Help!!!

Luckily, my cousin had an unused "Just Born" baby bottle kit, made specially for tiny animals. I warmed some milk and filled the bottle. With one hand, I balanced the squirming kitten who was still desperately searching and calling for his mama, and with the other hand, I held the bottle, and I tried to connect the two. It took about ten minutes, and just as I was beginning to panic, he finally took hold and started to suck. My heart jumped. We have 'contact'! I was utterly relieved. This precious kitten proceeded to drink for about two minutes straight, and then, almost suddenly, his little body went completely still and his little head fell slightly backwards. Oh no! I thought he was dead! But, upon closer inspection, I realized that he was just sound asleep. His little tummy was full and he was out like a light!

Awwww.... it was too much. That was it. No questions asked. I was his, body and soul. This little life became the center of my world for the next six weeks. Every 2-hour feedings, nurturing, playing, cuddling... I was a new mom.

So, that's Oliver's story. That's how Oliver came to be mine. Little Oliver... the orphan, saved on the 4th of July, who now sleeps laying on my head, across my neck, or circled up by my ear with his cheek pressed to mine. A gorgeous gray tabby with fox-brown highlights, a white chin, coal black paws and tip of the tail, and hypnotically dark green eyes, unlike those of any other cat I've ever known, which stare directly into mine, waiting for my next word or gesture. Like a dog.....who purrs. He is amazing.
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Tally: "Oliver, Jack and Five White Cats" has one story told, and six to go...

...plus Dusty.

Oliver, Jack and Five White Cats

How did I manage to wind up with seven cats? Oh no, wait, make that eight. I can't forget about Dusty, the outdoor stray that I fed for two winters, who has now established herself as a full-time part-time resident, complete with her own heated 'dog-house converted into a luxury cat-house' and perennially-filled food and water bowls. Jeez, eight cats.

OK, so, how did I manage to wind up with eight cats?

the answer to that question, and each cat's story, will unfold in the coming days... interwoven with my personal journeys through romance and love, devastating heartbreaks, the battle scar of post-traumatic shock, artistic evolutions, amazing travels and the wonderful people I've met, the friends I've made and lost, business challenges, surviving cancer and the cancer battles of other friends and family. Victories, defeats, love, hate, life, death and cats, cats, cats!

Oliver, Jack and Five White Cats..... ...and Dusty.