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Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Of Felines & Heartbreak

* To assuage any concerns straight away, the heartbreak is not related to the cats ...*

Without even realizing it, I had a rather cat-centric weekend. Despite the gloomy weather, I was in the mood for a stroll on Saturday afternoon, having survived doing my taxes. Much to Will's dismay, I knew exactly where I wanted to go.

Since July when Sir Thomas Goldencat began eating RX cat food, I have been meaning to put his unopened bag of regular, peasant cat food to good use. Not far from where we live, up a painfully steep hill, you can find a small protected stretch of thick forest owned by UCSF. Immediately upon striking out on the forest's path, you notice something strange. Scattered around are turned-over plastic bins, a propped up umbrella as a little shelter, and pie tins of kibble. Look a little more carefully and you will almost definitely see a pair of suspicious green eyes following you from the underbrush. Some kind soul (who is also very lucky to live on one of the most beautiful streets in the city) takes care of the the little community of ferral cats that make their home in the forest.

And I wanted to help.....


Armed with labelled kibble, ice tea and a cambazola and pear baguette sandwich from La Boulange, we struck out to do a little good deed and in the process, get rid of the bag that had been sitting on our washer for eight months.

The cats who want for nothing sent their regards from their cozy nest.


The heartbreak came during our walk home. Of all the little side streets we could choose from to head home, I managed to unknowingly select the one with furniture on the curb. Naturally. Here are the beauties .....


And here is the heartbreak: I couldn't bring them home. I just couldn't. In January, I embarked upon a number of exhaustive projects to get the house in ship shape order, and I just couldn't do this to myself so soon. I know. Exquisite matching clawfoot chairs just screaming to be reupholstered. Maturity stinks. I'm still pining for them. It was the right decision, though.

On Sunday, the feline weekend continued when I went to visit a friend's newly adopted friend, Cleo. Don't be deceived by those paws, she's teeny. She is such a sweetheart and so pretty!


Cleo was followed up by one of my favorite kitties in the world, Helmut. Our neighbors had us over for pizza, wine, and cat-play, of course. This boy is a beast!




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