After a long, tough, battle with cancer, Leslie and Mike said goodbye to their sweet kitty, Haggis. The emptiness and sadness in the home was hard to bear, so Leslie contacted me shortly after the Winklers arrived, to see who might be available.
Leonard was already spoken for. We had an appointment set for Rachel and Daniel to meet the kittens, so I told Leslie they could have next pick.
They picked Franklin and Daphne. Well, they picked Franklin, and Daphne picked them.
Everyone was bouncing around when they first arrived for the meeting. We sat on the floor with the kittens and watched them play. Leslie and Mike settled on the couch after a bit and Miss Daphne hopped right up there and took a nap on Leslie's knee. The deal was sealed.
They stood up to leave and Leslie held Daphne in her hands for a moment to say goodbye. Daphne threw her tiny paw over Leslie's hand in the most comforting way.
I have been accused of reading too much into cat behavior, and I will admit to over-anlyzing many a kitten, but I think everyone one in the room at that moment felt Daphne was trying to say something. And whatever it was she communicated with that sweet gesture, I think, made Leslie feel better, and it seemed like a little bit of her sadness may have lifted.
Kittens are magical that way.
When they came back for the adoption this weekend, Daphne and Franklin were just winding down. Franklin wedged himself between Leslie and a pillow and fell asleep. Daphne jumped up onto Mike's lap and curled up into a ball. They were completely comfortable and at ease with their new parents. I truly believe, these kittens were meant to be theirs.
I'm really pleased how everything worked out with the Winklers. I love how the pairs were paired and Leonard was the perfect choice for his new home too.
It all worked out perfectly, just like it always does.
Once again, thank you Universe.
And thank you Leslie and Mike for adopting Daphne and Franklin. We are so happy for these precious kittens and you too!
Mmm. tasty ear.
ReplyDeleteBye bye, cuties!
ReplyDeleteYay for happy endings. I lost my boy in April of 2011- and still miss him every day. But the joy and laughter my new kitten has brought into my life has helped so much.
ReplyDeleteI hope these special IBKC grads bring a whole lot of good times and fun memories to Leslie and Mike.
Lovely story.
ReplyDeleteDaphne definitely had a message for her new momma, no doubt in my mind!
Mr. Franklin nomming on Daphne is adorable!
Again, the perfect family for the babies. The universe really takes care of the Itty Bitties!
ReplyDeleteFranklin is starting to develop his more adult face, I notice -- he is going to be a really striking adult! I do hope we get an occasional photo of all the Winklers in their new homes.
I'm so happy they are together. Be well in your new home, Daphne and Franklin! Take care of each other!
ReplyDeleteThe wee Winklies are some of the cutest kittens ever. I love how wide-eyed they all are. I will miss them very much.
Simply perfect!
ReplyDeleteI love happy endings! It sounds like the Winklers all found their perfect homes.
ReplyDeleteCondolences to Leslie and Mike on the loss of Haggis. I hope these wee ones can help you through the pain.
I'm so happy for all the lovely Winklers. You're right the universe does have a way of working it all out.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for Leslie and Mike's loss...RIP Haggis.
I lost my own buddy kitty to cancer less than two weeks ago. Fortunately I have two other kitties to help. We're still adjusting. They can't replace the friend I lost, but they let me know they love me in their own ways. Daph knew the pain doesn't leave completely but it does get better. I wish all of them a long and happy life together.
ReplyDeleteI also lost my cat 2 weeks ago to cancer. I'm sorry. I know how hard it is. (((hugs)))
DeletePS Laurie, I see the copyright is 2007-201W. Was the W intentional (that it covers 2011-2019) or a typo?
ReplyDeleteI so believe in the Universal power of kittens! Congrats to Leslie, Mike, Franklin & Daphne and R.I.P. dear Haggis.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story. I am so pleased that Leslie and Mike can open their hearts to kittens after losing their much loved Haggis.
ReplyDeleteI firmly believe Miss Daphne was offering comfort. I also have been told that I read too much into cat behaviour, but cats are such refined creatures, it only stands to reason that they can pick up on our emotions.
I have no doubts about it either. My old kitty, Harry, used to insist that I pick him up any time he saw me upset or crying. He would meow at my feet until I picked him up, and when I did, he would wrap his paws around my neck and headbutt me until I calmed down. I had to put him to sleep last year at the tender age of 22. I held him as he was given the shot, and his head dropped to my chest when he died. One last hug for me as he went across the bridge.....
DeleteThank you for sharing your story of Harry -- what an amazing cat. You made me cry. I hope you have new kittens/ cats who are comforting you the way Daphne and Franklin are comforting their new parents.
DeleteThanks Snow. Harry always seemed to be in tune with me. Every day, when I came home from work, he would beg me to pick him up. I carried him around on my hip, much like you would a child. He loved it! I guess he liked being up off the floor and checking things out from a different perspective. He had more personality than most people I know. I miss him a LOT. I have seven kitties now, all of whom were rescues. I consider myself a little like Laurie, except the kittens I have fostered never left my house! There is definitely enough room in my heart for them all.
DeleteI've been chosen by a kitten before. It really is an amazing feeling.
ReplyDeleteOkay, who's cutting onions? *sniff*
ReplyDeleteCats are very intuitive, and I've no doubt that Daphne knew that Leslie and Mike needed her too. I've had a feeling about her. :)
Once again the perfect family has found the perfect kittens . . . and wow are they photogenic. While we always mourn the loss of our beloved furry friends I think they would be happy to know their humans opened their home and hearts to another homeless kitty. They were there once too after all. To Leslie and Mike, so sorry for the loss of your sweet Haggis and thank you for being open to sharing your home again - the love of kittens can help heal the heart. To Franklin and Daphne - go forth and be kittens in all your glory.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Cherie!
DeleteI gotta say that they look both smart and small with their new collars and tags on! Love hearing how THEY made the connection to their new people, it sounds like they will have a long and happy spoiled life there!
ReplyDeleteThis is a very moving story. I am so happy for Leslie and Mike, especially after losing their dear Haggis. These two Winklers have found a wonderful home to grow up in. They are both beautiful and sweet. What a perfect Kitten story. Thank you Laurie for helping the kitties and the humans.
ReplyDeleteOh sweet Ne-Ne (my baby name for Daphne), you were just letting your new momma know it is OK to love again -- that she's not cheating on her Haggis but passing the love on. Have a great life little kiddos.
ReplyDeletePatti in KY
Kittens are magical for sure! Congratulations to everyone on a purrr-fect match!
ReplyDeletexoxoxo,
Missy Margarita Ville <3
I love this happy ending :) Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteSo sweet, you have such a big heart for these sweet little babies. I love what you do. Thanks for sharing all the wonderful photos.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, kittens are magic. Blessings to you for spreading that magic to the world. Your blog is a balm to my soul. <3
ReplyDeleteSniff...I need more Kleenex.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful life all you little Winklers!
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Kittens do indeed PICK their humans. My 1st shelter cat, Gwen, did just that. When we visited, she saw us, said hello and then told us her bags were packed and all she needed was an exit visa. She told us about all the faults of the other cats we approached after all SHE WAS OURS, darn it! And we had 13 glourious years with her.
ReplyDeleteWhat an adorable pair. I'm glad 4 of the kittehs went as pairs. Can't wait for the next group.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy they will stay together :)
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about Haggis (what a great name he had!). I just lost my dear Linux to cancer two weeks ago. Right now, I am hurting and I need to grieve. Maybe when I am ready, a new kitty presence will come into my life too. Many blessings to Leslie and Mike as they start this wonderful new chapter.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss, Linda P. Of course you need time to grieve. I know a kitty will find you when you are ready.
DeleteThank you, Snow, for your kind words. Maybe when we are ready, we could open our home to fostering little families like Laurie does. It would be nice to be a part of helping lots of little ones get off to a good start.
DeleteOver-analyze kitten behavior? No. I say it's just being intuitive and loving for an animal who dosent speak our verbal language.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story, thanks so much for sharing it with us. Reminds me very much of losing my old girl Chloie last year to cancer-and falling in love with Moppet and Hunca Munca, the kittens I adopted shortly thereafter. The healing properties of kittens truly are magical, as I am sure Leslie and Mike will discover.
ReplyDeleteLeslie has been my best friend since we were 10 years old, and I've known Mike since they married 15 years ago, so I know it as fact that those kittens couldn't have a better, more loving home.
ReplyDeleteKaren B.
what a wonderful story.
ReplyDelete