Sometimes nice things happen when you don't expect them but want them, and that's the best.  I have been feeling a little bereft lately of creatures.  Sure, I've made do with my bird feeder and the squirrels, but a couple of nights ago, I was telling guests how I missed my cats, Bean and Peanut.  I've written about them on this blog, and I've also written about how I think it's cruel to get a pet when one is absent often from the home.  Our next door neighbor has a lab she leaves outside when she works, and he howled and barked for hours until I complained.  Now he's on drugs, staring at me with his sad yellow eyes.

Why have a pet if that's the result?

In any case, I was jonsing for animal contact when Poppy came to visit.  Poppy is a strange skinny little Tortoise-shell cat with a fetching red collar with a heart tag that reads:  Poppy.  Poppy is taken care of very well, flea-less, groomed, happy.  I met Poppy a few weeks ago, and I was hoping she would come back and yesterday, she showed up twice:  in the morning and night.  She comes to the front deck and sort of parades.  Really, I think she is waiting for birds to land on the bird bath.  But I pretend she's waiting for me to come outside and give her a talk and touch fest.

Poppy likes to be held, and I tell her how lucky she is to have such a good home.  One of my neighbors (address on the tag!) loves Poppy well, and they would likely be a bit miffed that I was involved with their animal at all.  But Poppy has plans every day, that seem to include to search for wildlife. 

All I needed was that little catness in my life, and I feel better.  I don't have the fur and hair balls and poo concerns.  I don't have to worry about leaving her alone in the heat or cold.  If Poppy could come to visit once a week, I might be able to make do without a cat for a long time.

There are those nice surprises in life, and sometimes they show up in small packages, like Poppy.

Jessica