The darling moments

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If you're familiar with the story in the last post you will know that Twinkle - portrayed here - is the only survivor of a  kitten litter of (at least what we know of) four kittens. I actually held all four kittens in my hands at some point so you can imagine my  sense of inadequacy and loss realising that indeed three of these kittens hadn't made it. No trace whatsoever of what happened to them.

A few years back I met a lady who does some very inspiring work for people in lesser circumstances. I heard her talking about how fierce she felt about their rights for a proper (and not a lesser) life. She talked about some of the things they were up against in life and  she used a set of words about her fighting stance to protect them and about avoiding things happening to them and the words are not on my watch. The words inspired me so much - that's how I felt about anything possibly happening to animals... not on my watch!

So yes, I have to admit that I felt some pain and grief about what could possibly have happened to these tiny kittens on what felt like my watch. Even though the nature areas around here are vast and kitty mom seemingly kept moving them around. But it felt like they were just a few arm reaches away. I've had a tough time trying to figure what could possibly have happened to these tiny critters. 

 

Anyhow, Twinkle is being a real brave-heart. He is taking on making the young cats his play mates. He observes them from a distance when they play and sometimes dare an encounter with one of them. And it's as if the young cats knows this little guy needs some extra care, gentleness and attention (even though he is in fact a new "cat" in their territory). Throughout the week I've observed them lick his little face, sniffing him, gently saying hello with paws touching, allowing him to eat next to them and carefully playing with him. There's been so many awww moments... and also a few paw swipes. But Twinkle never runs away - he just shakes his little head and jumps straight back into "the ring." Luckily mommy kitty is fiercely protective - she's made quite a few swipe-backs on Twinkles behalf. It's like she is teaching them manners and they all listen when she scolds them. 

In this image above it's Tiny allowing his (directly blood-related) brother to feel as if he has the upper hand. So darling sweet...