i hope that sad hug from Kiya wasn't for me~! maybe some of you don't know of my new job, feeding the critters. no one pays me but their eyes. i figure i saved about 30 lives this winter, there was no food all summer, no berries,, they were literally too skinny to make it thru the winter.

i started with one little skunk kitten, i figured she had lost her mom, and i'd help her out... the next night she was back with HER kitten~! she was so malnourished she was a midget. they were terrified of me, but didn't threaten, so i kept feeding them. then some of their friends found the 'Salvation Porch'. i didn't mind, i was feeding them dry cat food, which is a good source of protein. but it was going too fast~! that stuff ain't cheap~!

then i found out why it was going so fast,, the little raccoons had found their way to my porch. they were so afraid of humans, that when i peeked out at them, they almost tore the gate off my porch to get out of reach. but a couple would hesitate on the top of the siding, to see what i was up to, they didn't want to loose their place in line~~ they were last year's cubs, and without a mother. one of them was just a tiny thing, a girl with 4 brothers, i figured. the little girl was the most trusting (and daring) of them all,,, but when her brothers left she had to go, or risk getting caught by a dog or coyote all alone...

by the month's end (october), i was the 'go to' eat out in the subdivision~! they each had personalities, and distinctive faces, and i do believe i could tell the males from females , often. they went from being fearful, skinny, 'end -of-the-line'ers to being nice, round survivors. i do believe that everyone i fed survived the winter, but only time will tell. they are just now coming around again after the February cold spell and snowfall; and they are in great shape~! it feels GOOD~

one little story and then i'll stop. about a week ago one of the cats was crouched at the door, i thought he wanted out,, so i open it up, and 'what to my wondering eyes should appear ??' ,, no not santa~ but a HUGE male, glossy, healthy, thick fur, glittering eyes, and fearless. one of the 4 'boys' i'd been feeding. and with him, a tiny cub, clearly ill, breathing thru it's mouth, all hunched over and dry haired.... he had brought 'her' to my house~! if she hadn't eaten that night she would surely have died.

i saw her again yesterday morning just before dawn. again, the cat alerted me, and when i looked out, there she was, unafraid; she had put on several pounds at least, and had decent fur and was breathing well. i figure it was distemper, which must be running rampant thru the parks from so many sickly animals... i think my cats got it, but being strong well-cared-for adults, they only sneezed for a week.

anyway, that's my story and i'm sticking to it ~! i hope you all enjoyed thinking of someone being cared for, for no reason except they are living beings. may we all be so fortunate~!