Ode to the "Watcher" Kid

My beautiful barn cat, the "Watcher" Kid met his demise Saturday morning on the hateful highway that runs in front of my house. It's a US Highway with quite a bit of traffic, dangerous for animals and humans alike. When John got home from work on Saturday morning he woke me up and told me that one of our outside kitties was laying beside the road. There is an old abandoned house and pack house on the lot next to us. This is where generations of wild cats have lived for as long as I can remember. We began feeding them a couple of years ago when 3 tiny sisters showed up on our doorstep one winter morning very hungry. The rest is history...(after you give them that first bowl of milk or food you just can't stop doing it as they grow to expect it). The Watcher was the son of one of the original 3 sisters, "Big Sis". We named him that because he would come and just stare at our door for long periods of time, almost like willing one of us to come out and put some food in the bowl on the porch. John also called him "Serious" Kitty as he always...looked serious. The Kid was also one of the most photogenic cats I've ever seen. I have loads of pics of him, being serious and always watching. I had only been able to pet him a couple of times when he was totally engaged in a bowl of milk....then he would realize that I had my hand on him and he would beat a hasty retreat. He was unlike any typical tom cat I've ever known as he stayed so close to home. He was around almost everyday, not taking off like most toms do for days or weeks at a time. I guess that's one reason why his getting run over comes as such a shock to me. That and the fact that I had secretly wanted to scoop him up and turn him into an "inside" kitty. After John gave me the bad news, I threw on some clothes and ran out to where he lay. He hadn't been dead for long and was still warm. I was able to pick up his little lifeless body with the trash bag I had brought with me. I took him to a spot by the front porch of the old, abandoned house and laid him to rest. As I walked back home, crying all the way, all I could think of was how sad it was that this was the only time I had been able to pick him up in my arms and hold him. I don't believe he suffered; he appeared to have been killed instantly and for that I was glad. I know he is not the first or the last cat to meet his end on the road and so is life for an "outside" kitty, but I sure will miss his adorable face and serious, steadfast gaze. Rest in Peace, little guy...you brought a little something extra to our lives and we love you for it.

The top layout contains a paper and frame (Chic Spring) by CatherineDesigns, the bottom layout contains a page cluster (Cottage Charm) by Raspberry Road Design CT Ellen, paper by me.