Ellie

Since last summer, a little tabby cat lived outside the grocery store in my village. The two women who run it would feed her, but they would not let her in. When I asked, I was told she belonged to no one in particular, and was looked after by the locals, and slept in a barn. Thing is, she is just about the most placid and sweet-natured little cat I have ever come across. I fussed her nearly every day, and wondered why they would not take her in.

Today it snowed again. It is below freezing. I drove past the grocery store and saw her in her cardboard box huddled up. When I went to check on her, i noticed the box was soaking wet, and was dripping onto her.

I just picked her up and carried her home. Went back for my car later. She got a little afraid towards the end, but mostly just allowed me to carry her the short way to my home with little complaint. I had sort of planned this, so had food ready, and I made her a makeshift bed, dug out the litter tray that I had for my last two cats, ect...

She is so quiet, so unobtrusive and so completely "okay" here, it astonishes me. Yes, I am worried because I have just taken an animal that does not belong to me. But from what I can see, she does not belong to anyone, or if she does, they do not deserve her - leaving her to freeze in the snow like that.

I have called her Ellie. I have no idea why, but it was just the thing that came to me looking at her. She looks so much like my Jinxie it is like having him back again. She is sleeping now- deep and peaceful sleep. I hope she can stay for as long as she lives. Hope!