Can you believe it, 5 years ago today I set off on the adventure of a lifetime, a journey that would change my life forever.
It was really, really early one morning when me and some of the other rescue kitties set off, we travelled for a long time, first in a car, then a plane where we were joined by some rescue doggies, then another plane, then a train and finally in a van. The van made lots of stops, each time one of the other animals left and didn’t come back. It was a very scary journey and we all wondered what was happening to each of them.
We needn’t have worried though as little did we know that for each of us it would be the start of a new chapter in our lives as we were being taken to our furrever homes and oh boy! Did I ever land on my paws with the home I got.
Normally on these special days I celebrate with cuddles, an extra walkies and a special treat for dinner, not this time though, mummy and daddy had something different planned. To celebrate such a special occasion mummy said that we were going to go on a special adventure, that we were going to go somewhere different for our walkies today. She said she was going to show me the place her and daddy go in the evening sometimes and that it would be an indoors walkies today. Well, that was fine with me as I could hear the wind and the rain pouring down the windows so adventuring indoors seems like a good idea. What I didn’t realise though was that in order to get to our indoor adventure she would stick me in my carrier and that we would have to go in the car. I protested loudly at both.
I wasn’t in my carrier for long before mummy released me, she had already put my harness on so when I carefully ventured out she clipped on the lead so I knew that mummy wasn’t too far away, my lead always helps me know where mummy is, just in case I need her. I wandered about, gradually mapping my way. The place was full of smells, some of which seemed strangely familiar but I couldn’t quite put my paw on where it was I’d smelt them before. The place was very quiet but there were some odd noises in the background, sounds I hadn’t heard before but I knew that mummy was there and so they wouldn’t be noises that could harm me. Once I had explored for a bit I heard a familiar click and then I was free, allowed to roam all on my own.
With each circuit I felt more and more confident and comfortable so whilst mummy chatted with the lady who was there I carried on my exploration. There was so much to check out, I found chairs, water bowls and curtains, it was a bit like home but also different. My senses were tingling, my whiskers forwards and my ears pricked up, all so I could take in as much of my new surroundings as possible. I could detect every smell no matter how faint, every sound no matter how quiet, every touch no matter how gentle, it was a lot to take in. Every so often I would head back to mummy for a cuddle or a little head stroke, just to reset my senses with something familiar (mummy) and check that all was ok before heading off again to check out the next space.
I could always tell where she was as I could hear her voice. “Are you going to say hello to Beki, Jen?” As I listened Beki’s voice was gentle and so I went over to her, I felt an unfamiliar hand gently touch me, it was like she knew me somehow. She smelt like the place I was in, so I thought this might be her house that I was exploring. Her touch felt like someone who knew animals, who understood how to interact with them, she spent some time just being there, letting me get comfortable before she said hello. That’s how I know, she knows animals, she just waited for me to be more at ease. So I rewarded her for her patience and understanding but giving her a full on cuddle session, complete with roly poly and happy dance complete with vibra tail.
The off again to explore some more, then it clicked, the smells that I was getting was like a stronger version of how mummy and daddy smell when they go to the place called ‘the pub’. Apawently, according to mummy the pub is dog friendly and have furball Friday when doggies come along and get treats and doggie cream and doggie wine. Mummy thought I might like to join in too so had arranged to take me along whilst there was no one else around so I could have my very own day and be part of the furball crew. Perhaps one day I’ll be able to able to accompany mummy and daddy on one of their evening visits.
Thank you Beki from the Drovers Rest for making my special day so memorable and so much fun. I hope I get to visit again soon, explore some more and maybe have a few more cuddles, belly rubs and head rubs. You’ve made this little blind cat feel extra special today and I hope this shows that being blind doesn’t mean yew can’t also be an adventure cat.
Lastly to my mummy and daddy, thank you for choosing me to be part of your furramily, for believing in me, for encouraging me to be the adventure cat I didn’t even know I could be and for loving me just the way I am. I couldn’t have ever wished for a better furramily to be part of.
Jenny’s Story 