The three-day pet

Animal Rule #1....the Hoyts do not keep pets
Animal Rule #2....even if random stray beasts come around, we do not provide an environment that encourages putting down roots, no matter how cute.
 

Animal Rule #3....children are adjured to NOT give attentions to strays, other than attempts to run them off the property....in a humane way, of course.
 

ALLLLLLL right. Enough is enough.
  

So, there's been this occasional cat coming round, which we regularly chase away. Particularly when there are baby birds about. (see, we're not totally heartless)

Until one day, said cat comes strolling out of the cornfield with a couple of kitties. So, having the whole gender issue resolved, it was hoped--by the adults, anyway--that none of the felines would stick around.

The mother didn't, but one of her offspring did. What's more, it showed an abysmal lack of fright when one ran at it making scaresome noises. In fact, it cried most piteously, which grew into a raspy, throaty call that gave one the distinct impression that it might be....well....hungry.

Animal Rule #4....never, NEVER feed a stray animal!!!

After a couple of days it seemed the mother was doing a fine impression of Maizie, from "Horton Hatches an Egg."

And then, it appeared that the younger children, in denial over Rule #3, were giving the kitty rides on the swing set.

"Alright....SOME-thing has to be done!" said Kendra to her maman, who was in denial over a LOT of things...

ANY-way, arrangements were made to take the kitten in a box to prayer meeting where everyone would lay hands on it...and.....no wait....

Arrangements were made to take the kitten in a box to prayer meeting where we would make connections with friends who lived on a farm and had experienced the decimation of 90% of their newborn kitty population due to coons earlier this year. (I think this one's big enough to get along)

In the intervening two days, I temporarily recinded Animal Rule #4 in an effort to assure survival. Since Loren isn't here, I let the kids use his cereal bowl :-D to feed it a small saucer of milk three times per day. I figured it might need to supplement it's diet of crickets, butterflies and grasshoppers. (funny how they didn't feel bad for the bugs....) It was about this time that the poor kitty started purring most harmoniously and rubbing around the legs of the kids, who seemed less than sad at this developement.

It's now on the far side of the county, where I know it will receive tender loving care and midnight walkabouts with Laura Severs. (*waves to Laura* :-)

There were a few tears at bedtime last night, but I trust some day the children--even if they don't agree with me right now--will understand.
 

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