Black Kitty

Folks seem to love to drop their unwanted pets near our home; the two mile long dirt road through acres of untamed woods lends itself to that kind of abandonment.  And since there are only 350 or so permanent residences in our township, and 1,000 seasonal ones... some "summer" folks get pets and then leave for the entire winter, with no intention of taking the summer pets along.  So having a cat appear on our property and stay is not unusual.  Only once before, have I felt so compelled to take care of a stray.  BK is the second.
Black Kitty (BK) first showed up on the trail cam during the overnight hours about 2 weeks ago.  He (she??) was eating the deer corn, so of course I knew the cat was hungry.  Some meat scraps and uneaten food from my two cats went outside almost immediately after I saw the photos. Later that evening, I saw the kitty come and eat what I had thrown out among the corn, and a bit later that night I saw it up on the deck sleeping on the wicker love-seat. As soon as he saw me peering through the window, he ran away.  Our first real cold snap of the season was about to move through, so I brought up a kitty bed and an old wool lap blanket, and set it on the love-seat. I also put a plastic bowl of kibble with it.  Later that night, I turned on the porch light to see two golden eyes peering out of the kitty bed at me. I guess BK knew it was meant for him.


I've seen the cat several times... actually every night since 12/27 with the exception of New Year's Eve.  I've tried to coax him up on the deck while I stood outside, but he will not get close.  A couple times, he has meowed to me in response to my speaking to him, but every time I try to get onto the same level as BK, he runs away.  But it seems he is here every night, sleeping under the front porch.  And eating kibble on the love-seat.

As much as I wish he'd stay on the deck,  he apparently prefers the cave-like atmosphere under the deck, where a piece of plywood has become his bed. Tonight, it's going to get really cold again, even worse that before. So, I put a plan into action to keep him more protected, and me less concerned.  I lined a large old wicker laundry basket with a waterproof flannel-backed table cloth that has elastic around the edges, so it should stay put inside the basket. Next came an old but warm afghan. Then... an old but clean, warm & beautiful sheep skin.

The bed is placed under the deck, near the plywood, and right outside the basement window.  My craft room is down in the basement as are my kitties' litter boxes and some of their favorite hangouts including the two deep windowsills.  I've had hubby remove the exterior-mounted screen, so I can open the window from inside and put food and water outside, no matter what the weather.  BK is gonna have a safe place to be, for as long as he wants to be here.  By the way, I suspect Shadow knew about BK before I figured it out, as usual. He's been downstairs in that windowsill quite a lot over the past few weeks, now that I look back. He checked out the placement of the bed, and seems to approve...

And if it's meant to be, I'll have the stamina and spirit of the black kitty swirling around me as I make my dream-catchers and medicine bags ~ and maybe one day I'll open that window and BK will come in and join us♥

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...... everything on the earth has a purpose, every disease an herb to cure it, and every person a mission. This is the Indian theory of existence.

Mourning Dove Salish 1888-1936

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This lovely flute lullaby "Tucked in for the Night" 
appears to be a free download from Amazon....  
is this meant to be, or what?????  ♥