It was early morning, and Ginger was mewing in the shed on her own.
We looked, but Fred was not there.
There were muddy adult pawprints around, and no sign of struggle, so we were hopeful it had been Agatha, and not an aggressor. We quickly beat a retreat, in case we had interrupted the move and went out the front to have a peek at the rest of the family. But the spot where we had left Agatha and Smokey Joe was empty.
Agatha did not come for food that morning. In fact, we did not see hide nor hair of her all day and come lunchtime, Ginger was still on her own and hadn't been given any sustenance for nearly 24 hours. She was shakier, too, and every so often went through phases of mewing inconsolably with all her might. Still Agatha didn't come.
So I did all I could think to - phoned for professional advice and ended up bundling her into an old wine box...
... and taking a taxi with her to the municipal cat sanctuary, Gatil, to see what they could suggest.
What they suggested was leaving her with them.
So that's where she stayed.
She had her own cage with a corner to hide behind, bedding, water and food. A vet was to see her shortly to give her a checkup, but the initial once-over by the guys manning reception gave hope that she had a good chance - of survival and also of adoption. A thick ring binder full of papers represented only adoptions in 2012 so far. Warm, reassuring smiles. She'd be okay. This was what was best.
It had been pouring down with rain that morning and continued to do so through the day, but for a brief while, just as I left the centre, the clouds parted and the sun shone down. It had been the right thing to do, hadn't it?
Having left this blog address with Gatil, I'm hoping that Ginger's adoptive family might be curious to see pictures of her younger self and to understand a bit more about her background. So if you are they, reading this now (and if you can understand English!) I'd love to take this opportunity to thank you, so much: everyone at Gatil and also in Ginger's new home, bless you. Please look after her well. And if you feel moved to share updates on her progress, in the comments section or by private email, we would all be so, so happy to hear about her. We miss her, and lord knows Agatha does, too. And how.
... and taking a taxi with her to the municipal cat sanctuary, Gatil, to see what they could suggest.
What they suggested was leaving her with them.
So that's where she stayed.
She had her own cage with a corner to hide behind, bedding, water and food. A vet was to see her shortly to give her a checkup, but the initial once-over by the guys manning reception gave hope that she had a good chance - of survival and also of adoption. A thick ring binder full of papers represented only adoptions in 2012 so far. Warm, reassuring smiles. She'd be okay. This was what was best.
It had been pouring down with rain that morning and continued to do so through the day, but for a brief while, just as I left the centre, the clouds parted and the sun shone down. It had been the right thing to do, hadn't it?
Having left this blog address with Gatil, I'm hoping that Ginger's adoptive family might be curious to see pictures of her younger self and to understand a bit more about her background. So if you are they, reading this now (and if you can understand English!) I'd love to take this opportunity to thank you, so much: everyone at Gatil and also in Ginger's new home, bless you. Please look after her well. And if you feel moved to share updates on her progress, in the comments section or by private email, we would all be so, so happy to hear about her. We miss her, and lord knows Agatha does, too. And how.
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