The gift of life

Tiny's startled look says it all...  "Who are you?"

As promised, here's a few images of Benji and Tiny meeting and playing with each other. I know there's nothing original about kittens having fun together, but the beauty of these two little guys playing together is that they simply wouldn't have been here today if it hadn't been for their rescue stories. Tiny first appeared in the garden way back in October where we soon discovered he had a horrible respiratory infection. By chance I'd had the experience of taking a very similar sized kitten to the vet earlier in the year, when a friend of mine had found a tiny kitten dumped by the roadside by humans (it was completely tame) and she asked me if I would take it. It turned out it was emaciated, but because kittens are such little fluff balls it can be extremely difficult to detect. So I soon realized Tiny was in quite a bad shape... mommy kitty no longer showed interest in feeding or caring for him. He constantly sought her affection but got none. It was not an optimistic vet that sent me home with antibiotics, but luckily Tiny's appetite was intact and lots of quality food combined with the antibiotics gave him enough strength to fight back. And as for Benji, well you know the story by now.

What is that Tiny?

So even though there's quite a selection of furry destinies in the garden (each with their unique story), I do of course have a major soft spot for these two heartthrobs (and believe me they are!). 

Seriously, what is it?

As mentioned in the last post it was a bit nerve wracking introducing Benji to the other cats around here, and Tiny was the only one who didn't seem too scary for him. They appear to have been born within a few weeks of each other and match perfectly size-wise. 

Watch out, here I come!

These images are from one of their first encounters - at first some startled looks and then some sweet exploring. In the above images Tiny is showing Benji the garden (I belive his first visit ever in a garden!)  and which is the good plants (good smelling for cat nostrils) and not so good (prickly!). 

Benji in mid-air!

Then there was a whole lot of exhilarating rumping around... I chase you then you chase me. Every time they caught up with each other there seemed to be an unspoken agreement that it would be without bites and attacks - only a whole lot of playing. They seem to be at ease with each other and as I've also said, it appears they're good for each others confidence. Tiny is tiny (yes, I know... duh) due to his early life setback and probably has therefore always shied away from confrontation, so this other early-life-beaten-up newcomer is so good for him. And vice versa. It's a little miracle witnessing these two enjoying the gift of life. 

Images ©Joan Rachlitz Bowell