Wednesday, November 9, 2016

A Happy Story

Here is a happy story for those who need it.

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 Every now and again I ponder the thought of keeping one of our foster kittens.   And on more than one occasion, I've expressed these thoughts to Craig. The discussions are always brief - as soon as the words leave my head, enter reality, and I hear them out loud,  they don't sound like good ideas anymore.  Craig, who is always the voice of reason, will remind me that our system is working well and there's no need to change it by adding another kitten.  We close the conversation and move on.

The other day,  I paused while walking up the steps and peered between the rungs of the banister to watch Charlene and Wylla run and wrestle in the streams of sunshine that warmed the carpet upstairs.  They were sharing a joyful moment, and Craig was watching it from the couch.

The scene was perfect and lovely and I interrupted it all by blurting out  the words "Can we keep her?"

These were words I never intended to say out loud.  I thought when Wylla reached an "adoptable state", her perfect family would come along.  It would be horribly sad, but we would say our goodbyes.

But as she's crept closer to becoming "adoptable", after all we've been through with this tiny, special girl,  the idea of handing her to someone else became unbearable.   Nothing cinches a bond like a medical crisis.

Craig paused for a long moment, moved his eyes from the cats to me, and we had our first conversation about the idea of keeping this kitten and what life with Wylla might be like.  No decisions were made that afternoon,  but we had a good talk.

A couple of mornings later, I was reading a book in the guest room when Craig walked in with Wylla perched on his shoulder.  Her tail wrapped around his head, and the tail tip landed on his eyebrow at a slight angle.

"Well, what are we going to do?" he asked.

I giggled before responding to his question - partially to lessen the weight of the serious conversation we were entering, but mostly because of the raised "mad scientist" eyebrow her tail tip created on his forehead.

He picked Wylla from her perch, put her on my lap, and she scrambled up to my shoulder.  Charlene joined us on the bed soon after.

There were many things to consider, and we considered them all.  We talked about the potential challenges, heartaches and expenses we might meet on the road ahead.  We talked about how it could change Charlene's life and how we foster.   We talked about the happiness she brings to our home.

I suppose if we would have made a list of "pros and cons",  the "pros" would have been a few lines, and the "cons" would have run off the page.

But in the end, happiness won , and it was decided, Wylla would stay.









23 comments:

  1. Thank you Laurie, we needed this.

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  2. Yes, I needed this story today. "In the end, happiness won." In the end, the person who won the presidency will settle into the role and it will all be okay. Our nation always endures. (sorry to get so political)

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  3. This is the sweetest, best story, no matter how many times I read it. Yay, Wylla! Yay, IBKC family!

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  4. Wylla did not enter your home, she entered your hearts, with a little assistance from Miss Bean!

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  5. Happiness & Love always win in the end!

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  6. thanks Laurie, i love your Wylla story!

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  7. Thank you for this. For reminding us that the little moments count for more than we know. Glad you kept Miss Stout.

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  8. Thank you so much for sharing Wylla's adoption story again. She did find her perfect family. I needed beauty this morning and you provided it.

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  9. I actually, and accidentally, came across this story yesterday, and it always warms my heart whenever I read it. Wylla has been such a wonderful addition to your family. She has learned well from Charlene and has become such a lovely "foster cat mama" to your foster kittens - I love the pictures you post of her with them. She is so happy and healthy with your loving care and I know that she is a blessing to you, Craig and Charlene. When she was your foster kitten, I always hoped she would become your permanent furbaby, and I rejoiced the day that you posted this. Thank you for sharing Wylla (and Charlene!) with us, and for all you do for her, Charlene, and all the itty bitty kitties that come into your home!

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  10. And now she's your little owlet. With whiskers. And they lived happily ever after.

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  11. I still remember seeing the first photo you ever posted of Wylla, and how I almost burst out laughing in my cubicle. She was so absurdly fluffy for such a tiny thing! It seemed like someone had intentionally fluffed her with aqua-net and a hair dryer, but it was just the way she is made.

    And she's such a delight, with such a big responsibility as feline ambassador. Who else could you pick to post today?

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  12. I actually looked up this story a few weeks ago, when I needed a happy story. Good to read it again today.

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  13. They should add a cabinet position- Secretary of General Happiness. But you'd have to move. And that can't happen.

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  14. Love how Wylla wormed her way into your hearts and lives. Good job, Miss Stout!

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  15. Did you ever imagine that Wylla would grow up to be so good with the foster kittens? She's saved a lot of wear-and-tear from Bean's busy bathing tongue.

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  16. Thank you, Laurie. I came here looking for warmth and happiness (much needed), and you didn't disappoint (you never do). - Emily R.

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  17. This is indeed a very happy story. A happy beginning with tons of floof and glorious patience mentoring so many kittens together.

    My heart feels warmer and happier now.

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  18. Of all the wonderful stories on this blog, this is my favourite. Thank you, it was just what so many of us need today.

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  19. Still my favorite, favorite story from all the years I've been following you. You can't fight fate, and Wylla was fated to be yours. It's been delightful to watch her grow and thrive in your expert care.

    I just looked at your Election Day post of all the glorious pictures and it soothed a tired, wounded soul on a Thursday night.

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  20. Thank you for this very beautiful and inspiring story. So heart warming. This made my day!

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