A loss and gain situation

If you are a regular reader of my blog (or know me), then you will know that we lost one of our kittens in May this year (and may I add, unexpectedly. Very, very unexpectedly). I am often struck by the big gap Tulip left in our house and our hearts, she was tiny for a fully-grown cat but had a larger than life personality.

My husband and I spoke of getting a companion for Meeko (Tulip’s sister),  but somehow we always found an excuse to put it off to later, the end of the year, well, maybe in the new year. Till one day, not so long ago, we got a call from our regular vet asking us if we are ready to adopt, as someone just brought in a kitten that was found at the local hospital. We were happy to meet him and then decide. There wasn’t much time for the “deciding” part because we left the vet with him – and a stock of special kitten food.

It has been quite an emotional rollercoaster. The reasonable part of my brain knew we were under NO circumstances replacing Tulip, but that didn’t take away the emotions. It didn’t take away the fear of whether or not we were doing the right thing for Meeko, give an equal amount of attention to both (i.e. not make Meeko feel replaced) or the fact that I so badly wanted Tulip back – followed by guilt of “but does that now mean that I can’t love this kitten”.

My reality is that I would do anything, ANYTHING, to have Tulip back, but I can’t, and I would never exchange our new kitten for anything. And that is the reality of losing something you love dearly and gaining something you love. It is conflicting, it is confusing, but perfectly normal.

One thing can never replace another, some things can’t be undone (or redone) and you will never forget, but you will create new memories. This experience has made me realise that life is a bit like writing a book. Tulip is a part of our story, she is the chapter before this one. Nothing can erase that, nothing can change it but the story must continue.

The story of our fur-kids continues with Meeko and Oliver. The orphan who found his forever home and the human who found the capacity to love another, again. 

Meet Oliver; 

The mischiefs of Meeko

Having kittens seem to diminish your fear of certain creepy crawlies – certain ones and diminish, not eliminate. For example, I no longer scream at the sight of parktown prawns, I now gently – with the aid of a towel – scoot them outside, I can take a plastic bag and pick up little bits of organs and, twice now, I’ve had to pick up baby birds – their first flights didn’t go too well. As a girl, I am proud to have achieved the point where I no longer screech, jump on to counters and shout for bf to please save me.

Until last night that is.

Around 7-ish I called in the little fur-facies for supper. Tulip came bouncing in like a little squirrel cat – all purrs – Meeko on the other hand has a little game we first have to play. She runs, we chase – until she’s had her little giggles at which point she struts towards the backdoor and in she goes. It’s a fun little game, but not when you have a pile of studying lying on your desk and hopes that you could get to bed by 10pm. Bf wasn't home, so I left her.  

About five minutes later I saw my opportunity to grab her, she was on the grass and clearly preoccupied with something. As I picked her up my arm went across my chest and I felt something incredibly cold and somewhat slimy – not normal. Looking down I noticed a lizard smack on my chest – the stupid thing must’ve been in Meeko’s mouth, which she dropped and it found a landing place on me. I screamed, dropped Meeko – thankfully cats land on their feet – took about three steps back, while waving my arms franticly, and, for good measure, took of my top and threw it aside. All this took about 2.5 seconds. It took my brain about 10 seconds to realise I was standing in the backyard, shirtless.

Clearly my dislike to touch slimy, creepy things remains intact.

 

Loving all things cupcake

Nephew-child is turning one tomorrow – yip, a whole one years’ old. It’s a bit cliché-ish, but I actually cannot believe how time has flown. In the last year the little Moo has sprouted about 10 teeth (I may be exaggerating by a tooth or two) and become quite mobile on his legs, none of that wobbly stuff – he is sturdy – a little Sharkie in the making.

This weekend we had a bit of a celebration and for the first time Moo got to smash a cupcake in his face (and everywhere else).  Now as a lover of all things cupcake, I wish I could remember that first taste, hence why I couldn't resist sharing the messy cupcake moment:

Pictures: Shamelessly taken from the dad’s Facebook album.

Happy birthday to the best little nephew-child, we look forward to spending many more with you and enjoy more of 'em cupcakes.  

In some other weekend news…

On the kitty-related news, our little Meeko caught a bird. Now being a cat that might not seem newsworthy, but I know there are about two people who’d love the story.

As I opened the door yesterday morning, Meeko went sprinting past me into the backyard. She first squirrelled up the tree (with birds scattering in all direction), came back down and then did this bollemakiesie, which sent the dust flying everywhere. Now while all this was happening Tulip and I stood watching – and I was lecturing her on patience and how she will never catch a bird if she doesn’t take a bit of time doing the stalking business.

Much to my surprise, after the dust had settled, Meeko came running towards me with a bird in her mouth. Turns out her speed, accuracy and lack of patience resulted in success.

To my faithful study-buddy

I use to know what was happening in Grey’s Anatomy, the CSI Trilogy, The Good Wife, Desperate Housewife, Private Practice and whatever was showing during M-Net’s primetime.

These days I watch about every second episode of Desperate Housewife, only because it is the final season, and ok, I hardly miss an episode of CSI Miami. I love Horatio’s one-liners. But when it comes to Grey’s Anatomy, I really couldn’t care which doctors are shagging, or whose rights Alicia Florrick is defending in the next hour.

When I get home the only thing on my mind is that night’s study session. Some nights are easy. Other nights are not so easy.

It’s on these not-so-easy nights that I become aware of, and appreciate, my study-buddy. Since Meeko and Tulip joined our family of two in January, Meeko has been with me during those late nights. I dedicate this blog post to Meeko, the most faithful study-buddy ever!