Father, guide us safely through each day,
Watch carefully o'er us on our way.
If you should see us start to slide,
Stay thee near us, by our side.
Amen

My friend, 'MilMil,' made this beautiful background for me from a picture of my own beautiful "Freeway," who sadly had to be put to sleep on August 2, 2001 because of a tumor in her windpipe. I will always remember my 'black satin lady' who meant so much to me. Thank you, 'MilMil!' I am so pleased, so touched and so grateful to you. It's a beautiful background for a beautiful, feline 'lady!'

The Story of 'Freeway' and 'WalMart'

One cold, wet, miserable, November evening (the kind that's not 'fit fer man ner beast'), during rush hour traffic, I was driving home from work on the interstate. The traffic was stacked up, people were driving as though the devil himself was on their tails, and the rain made it hazardous to hit the brakes, much less see very far in front of you! The night was pitch black save the glow of the many, many headlights. I steered carefully into the center lane and was trying to 'line out and head for home' after a hard day's work.

Suddenly, I caught a glimpse of something tiny running alongside the edge of the interstate. My heart leaped into my throat. A thousand thoughts swirled around in my mind, "What was it? Why was it there? It would get killed for sure! I don't need a pet at this stage of my life! But if I don't get it, it will get killed in this traffic. But I don't even have a home for myself yet, much less a pet! But I can't leave it to get killed! But I REALLY don't need a pet right now!"

Having just moved to North Carolina from out-of-state, I was still staying with my younger daughter until I could get back on my feet and get a place of my own. The year before had been a very confusing one and finally came to a painful, angry close only 3 short months earlier. I was hardly in a position to care for myself yet, much less a tiny little life that would need an awful lot. I just couldn't afford a pet right now.

Luckily, I don't listen to myself very well. I quickly, and carefully, threaded my way through the traffic to the outside lane and onto the shoulder.

The tiny little ball of fur was just behind me, still running determinedly, but blindly, along. I started running back to it and noticed it was a baby kitten. She was all black except for white socks and a white stripe from her chin, down her tummy, to her tail. Frantically, I wondered how I was going to get between the kitten and the traffic to catch her, as she would surely shy away from me. I wanted to be positioned so that she would shy back into the safety of the ditch. At that moment, a big panel truck stopped in the outside lane, holding up the traffic behind him. That was all I needed!

I ran into the outside traffic lane and up close to the kitten. Sure enough, she bolted away from me, down into the ditch, with me in careful pursuit. The truck started up again and traffic started to flow crazily again. I knew that when I caught the baby, even if she bit, clawed, scratched, wriggled and fought, I would have to hang onto her no matter what or she would be back out into that traffic.

I eased, slowly and carefully, closer to her on my hands and knees, calling to her softly as I did. She mewed and cowered deeper into the weeds. I eased closer and called her some more. My knees were soaked with freezing rainwater from the ground by now, but thankfully the rain had stopped. Finally, I was close enough to try it. I made a grab for her, caught one leg, and hung on for dear life! She wriggled a bit, but when I drew her close and cradled her tightly against me, she calmed down when she felt the warmth.

She was soaked to the skin and shivering like crazy. I took her back to my car and got in, still holding her close. I grabbed my coat from the seat, wrapped her in it, held her close with one hand and started back into the traffic. She was safe, but she didn't REALLY know it yet.

As I drove home, she shivered and gnawed on my fingers. A time or two, she bit so hard, I yelped. Then she would lick my finger apologetically as if to say, "I'm sorry!" She was obviously very, very hungry. I wondered how long it had been since she last ate. I got her home, gave her warm milk and a bit of cat food.

The next morning early, I wrapped her up and took her to the vet to be examined and start her shots. Dr. Sain looked her over carefully and said, "I figure she's about 8 weeks old. She wouldn't have lasted the night in that freezing cold. She already has a slight temperature and mild respiratory infection."

I immediately started looking for an apartment and by Thanksgiving, we were both cozy in 'our' new home. Christmas was wonderful that year! I had a new home, a new life, my family near me, and a new baby kitten that would hide playfully among the branches of the Christmas tree, leaping out at me like the mighty panther she was imitating. Finally we were both snug, content, happy and safe.

It wasn't long before I decided that she needed company during the days while I was at work. I thought about it long and hard and finally decided, "Yes, she needs a friend!"

On Memorial day, I was returning from the airport, from a business trip to Florida, when I decided I needed a couple of things from the store. I struck out for WalMart (doesn't everybody?). There, in front of the store, was a young couple with a box. They were giving away kittens. There was only one left. They begged me to take it as the owners were going to take them to the pound. She was a tiny, little bundle of fluff that would have made a great dustmop if you could have put a handle on her and swirled her about over the floor.

She was a calico with wide, beautiful eyes and the tiniest little 'mew' I believe I've ever heard! I picked her up and she started purring and cuddling close. They told me her birthday and I calculated that she was only 5 weeks old. That was it! She certainly needed someone to love, and to love her. She was mine...and 'Freeway's! I took her home where 'Freeway' could be properly introduced and tell me what she thought. She did! She hissed and ran off in a huff.

I held the new baby close, naming her 'WalMart,' since that's where I got her, and she quickly made herself at home. After about 3 days, 'Freeway' warmed to her and they've become inseparable.

Since then, I bought a home, and let me tell you, its a wild and crazy place around there sometimes with us 3 'women' in it. I wouldn't have it any other way!!!!

'Freeway' loves watching the birds out the windows

and 'WalMart' loves to steal my chair when I get up from the computer!

We are now concentrating on driving Dr. Sain 'in-Sain!' (Psst! I think its working!)

Oh yeah, 'WalMart' says to say, "Bye! Y'all come back now, y'hear?!

She's all tuckered out now and is going to take a nap.

Not every baby animal can be lucky enough to be found and given a home. Please think about what you are doing to them when you don't have your pets spayed/neutered. Each year, thousands of pets are killed, maimed, brutalized, or starve to death because no one wanted them. While I'm glad I have my 2 'girls,' we can't save them all without your help. Both of my precious 'girls' are spayed, and I would hope everyone who gets a new pet would do the same with theirs. It will help to make the world a better place in your own small (but VERY important way!)