At 4:00 a.m. the kittens are amped up in full prey mode. Chasing each other across the room and across the bed they scramble for tails, paws, my toes anything that moves. Arby isn’t vomiting anymore- he was needing a second worming which he got and he is back in fine-style joining the early morning chase.

I’ve given up trying to sleep as they prey. Instead, I turn the low light on, stay on my back and pray for them, for my friends who are struggling, for my parents who are without belief, for the world for everything.

It isn’t meditative prayer by any means. Interruptions occur without warning as Reese decides to tackle my toes, or Scotty bounces across my chest. Pippi will come up and mew in my face. When I looked at her this morning, I thought to myself how pretty torties are and she is no exception. They look like God has splashed brilliant paint across them and with Pippi, she has a white and gold cross right across her chest that runs down through her legs. I had never noticed that before. Pippi is blind in one eye. I am not sure why- but I see the difference in her gaze and I have tested her a few times- she is a one-eyed kitty. There are no cataracts, just a glaze across her eye. I will get her checked out when she goes for her spay.

I think to myself during this reflective time if perhaps I am nuts. This year, overloaded with young kittens, I have ten spays to somehow put together. Add to that Mr. Cool who is upstairs and a tomcat it’s going to be a struggle to get these done without impacting our regular bills.

But, as the kittens leap about the room, I know in my heart that I have done the right thing. Scotty had he been left where he was without discovering, would have died a horrible, slow death.

The business kitties-they would have stayed where they were found-hiding out in the blackberries, freezing in this crazy weather and only getting food when the people who owned the business decided it was time to feed them.

Mr. Cool would have been eventually hit by a car on a busy road as he scavenged for food and Pippi and Piper, McGee and Donovan would have been left to starve to death.

So I guess it evens out even when it unsettles my heart. I did the right thing, and on my my Christmas List this year are eleven items- neuters for all the cats.

My article in the India magazine Cats and Kittens is now out. My hope is that in sharing the story about the black kitten left on the streets of India to die- it will inspire others in that country to step forward and help a kitten much like Jigyasa did. That to me would be a true Christmas Miracle!

Here is Jigyasa’s story:
One Act

Christmas Blessings to All-