Homeless

Chapter Sixteen

A week and a half later, Tiger’s quarantine was over. He never developed any rabies symptoms. And selfishly, Sunita’s very happy about that. She didn’t want any more shots.

Brenna’s parents agreed to let Tiger and a few other ferals be released into their woods. Brenna says that when Gary released Tiger, the cat dashed into the woods like he was born there. Half the colony went to the woods, the other half back to the railroad tracks. This was the compromise Gary and Dr. Mac worked out with the neighborhood. Once they understood that the TVSR program would prevent rabies, they were willing to try it.

Now, Dr. Mac and all of the volunteers are gathered around the table, finishing the vaccination reminder list. Socrates is sitting in Sunita’s lap, purring happily. And that evening, all the volunteers will be going over to Sunita’s house for Indian food.

Sunita was a bit surprised when Mother agreed to let Sunita have her friends over for dinner, and with a full Indian menu, too. Her mother only does that for really important people or on holidays. She’s been more interested in listening to Sunita’s stories from the clinic recently, and has come to check in on how the patients are doing. Sunita never thought she’d see her mother acting this way, but she won’t complain.

When Mother comes to pick all the kids up, she says she’d love to come check on Mittens and her family with the volunteers. Mittens and her kittens are resting in a roomy cage in the recovery room. Mittens looks at Mother and Sunita and purrs like a queen receiving her visitors. Her kittens are just starting to open their eyes. Three are white, and two are tuxedos. Sunita opens the cage and scratches behind Mittens’ ears. She purrs louder and stretches her neck out, trying to smell Mother’s hand. Mother looks nervous, but she extends her hands a few inches. Mittens bumps her head against Mother’s fingertips and she smiles.

Sunita reminds her mother that cats aren’t scary. Sunita was bit because she made a mistake. Cats that are raised around people are the best pets in the world. They’re smart and loving.

Dr. Mac comes into the room. She says that tomorrow, she’s going to contact some regular clients to try to find someone who can take Mittens and her brood until the kittens are old enough to leave her. It will be better for them to be in a house than back here in recovery. They’ll socialize better and be friendlier cats. Suddenly, Mother says that there’s no need for that. They’ll be taking them home with them.

Sunita is speechless. She can’t believe what she just heard. Mother says that it’s not permanent. But if Sunita wants, they can be Mittens’ foster family for a while. She recently read a report about what good pets cats make. Mother winks at Sunita. And, the cats will need a lot of human contact. Between Sunita and the twins, that shouldn’t be a problem.

Sunita grins. She’s so happy. And she knows that Mittens and her kittens will be happy, too.