Yes, you read that right; I found my first cat in a corn field. I was around six years old and playing in front of the house by myself while my mom cleaned the house. She wanted me out of the way, of course. In the distance I kept hearing a small meow and I stopped dead in my tracks, excited that I will see a kitten. What did I do? I started meowing so that the kitten would come to me. Did it work? Of course! The kitten’s meows got closer and closer until he was in front of me. Tiny and cute, a little gray and white tabby emerged from the corn field (which my mom planted).
As any six year old child would, I took that kitten and put it under my shirt. “My mom would never know”, I said to myself. As I tried to walk up the stairs inside the house, she came out and asked what was under my shirt. Nothing, said I, followed by a tiny meow. Long story short, I eventually got to keep my kitten and named him Cicko. I played with him, took naps with him, did my homework with him, and enjoyed every day with him.
One day I came home from school and Cicko was nowhere to be found. I asked my mom where he was and she said don’t worry about it, he is safe. After having a tantrum and crying my eyes out she told me that he is in the attic, hunting the mice. When that cute little cat finally came out of that attic a few days later, his belly was HUGE! My first cat that was full of energy was barely moving, flopping in front of me with his heavy belly on the side. I was just excited to see him and be able to pet him again.
My first Cat Cicko
Then one cold, gloomy day, I came home from school and Cicko did not greet me. I did not hear his meows in the house. I did not hear his meows by the chicken coop, and I did not see him basking in the sunshine on the concrete stairs. After running around the property for what felt like an eternity, my father and brother told me that Cicko was hit by a car. They buried him in our yard, under the walnut tree.
While my first cat passed away sudentlly and tragically I will always remember him. He was my first love and my first companion. It’s because of him I worry endlessly about our Paw Syndicate feral cats. They love their freedom but I hate that the three acre property is not enough for their curios minds. Every once in a while they cross the street, into the deep woods, giving me gray hairs that I don’t need or want. I also hope that one day, we will be able to bring them all inside and give them a safer and warmer environment, away from cars and dangerous predators.
