We had a couple of little visitors yesterday. Our friend Opal the Human (not Opal the Kitten) came by with her little brother, Ellis.
If you've been following the IBKC for awhile, you most likely remember our little friend Opal. Each year she visits us during our fundraiser, and makes a donation. Opal first visited us when she was four. It was her idea to donate money to the kitties. A FOUR year old wanted to help the kitties. And it was Opal's money - right out of her piggy bank. You can ready her sweet story HERE.
Opal just celebrated her 6th birthday, and received a little money as a gift. She kept some for herself, and brought the rest over for the kitties. There were two quarters for each kitten, plus two five dollar bills. When little brother Ellis saw she was giving money to the kitties, he decided to bring a handful of pennies and a dime. Their sweet donation totaled $12.86.
The kittens were running wild when Opal and Ellis arrived, but Rutherford was happy to settle down for a spell and spend some time in Opal's arms.
He was happy to be held, and she was happy to hold him.
It was a very sweet scene.
Then Opal read Rutherford a book. It was all about orange kitties, of course.
It's wonderful to see such compassion and generosity in children so young.
Thank you so much for your helping the kitties out, Opal and Ellis.
You two are inspiring.
Wonderful post. The future would be a lot brighter if all children had the compassion for animals that these two have. I wish you would share some of your tips for domesticating and imprinting kittens with us, Laurie. I've got four little feral ones that we just rescued. You make it look so easy, but I now know how hard you must work at it. You are an inspiration, thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis is just so sweet. It made me go donate online too! Love the kitties, stories, pictures...EVERYTHING! Keep up the good work~ =^.^=
ReplyDeleteI love these annual photo ops of Opal with the kittens. What a wonderful little girl she is and how quickly (too quickly) she is growing up!
ReplyDeleteIt's 6AM on the east coast. Laurie, do you sleep at all during these dogathon days?
I like the Opal the Girl updates too! She's growing up to be a beauty, just like her beautiful, kitten loving heart! Especially love story time with Opal & Rutherford!
Deletethe kindness in her eyes and heart makes her even more beautiful.
DeleteOh Opal, you are such a sweet, generous girl, and your brother Ellis is learning these wonderful qualities from you :)
ReplyDeleteRutherford certainly looked at home too ;)
What a sweet story and such a pretty girl in her sailor dress. I almost can't stand it. Good for her to be so generous and kind at such a young age. She is an inspiration to us all.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to Opal's visits and I'm glad to see that Ellis came along again. She's grown up so much since last year's Dogathon!
ReplyDeleteThis visit is always a highlight in the fundraiser. Opal is such a beautiful girl. Her gentle nature shows so clearly in these pictures. Thanks and blessings to Opal and Ellis and to their parents.
ReplyDeleteThe annual Opal show is becoming one of the high-lights of my year!
ReplyDeleteJust precious!
ReplyDeleteI love getting Opal updates! Her parents are doing an amazing job raising her and Ellis. Kudos to them! Perhaps OPAL can name the next kitten? I see a great future for her as a Foster Mom! Reading to kittens! Squeeee!
ReplyDeleteOpal and Ellis show all of us that every donation helps! What a great good a bundle of $12.86's would achieve. Thank you Opal and Ellis.
ReplyDeleteThat made me weep...it was so sweet!
ReplyDeleteIf there's anything cuter than a kid in a sailor suit, it's a kid in a sailor suit halong an orange kitten.
ReplyDeleteEVERY TIME! Opal's kind heart gets me EVERY TIME! I'm grateful to know that this little sweetheart (and her brother!) are in the world. We always need little kitty lovers! :)
ReplyDeleteOpal and Ellis, you two are very special. And how nice of Opal to read to Rutherford. These are happy photos.
ReplyDeleteawww - first, how sweet is that picture of Opal reading to Rutherford?? And wonderful that this next generation is thinking already of helping animals. :)
ReplyDeleteI love seeing my Opal's (the kitten) namesake!
ReplyDeleteOpal McGillicuddy? Any chance of seeing new photos of her?
DeleteOpal is an awesome kiddo. My favorite pic is of her reading to Rutherford, and Opal with Rutherford sitting on her lap like he's a hooman is a close second. In the first pic, Rutherford looks like he's not quite sure what to make of Opal and I can almost hear his mind whirring as he decides if she's friend or foe. Clearly, he realized Opal is definitely one of the former. *g*
ReplyDeleteI second the suggestion that Opal should have a chance to name a kitten.
This is definitely the best part of the annual fundraiser, seeing Opal -- and now joined by Ellis -- coming to visit the kitties and make their donation. What lovely parents they must have, to raise children who at such a young age know that they have to be soft and gentle and sweet around the kitties. And Opal reading to Rutherford... sigh... could it get any sweeter?
ReplyDeleteThe world definitely needs more children like these. Thank you, Opal and Ellis's mom, for allowing Laurie to share them with us again -- you have some pretty remarkable children there!
p.s. Opal was also my grandmother's name, and she loved kitties, too!
DeleteIt is a joy to read about Opal each year and to see her grow. Her compassion and generosity is a testament to her parents - she is beautiful in spirit and self.
ReplyDeleteI bet Cynthia Suprenant was just like this when she was a kid... and I bet Opal will grow up to be just like Cynthia :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful child, beautiful pictures of beautiful moments. And I love her name! I love the old-fashioned names...Opal, Rose, Lily....Rutherford!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, what book is that?
I don't know. I found it at an estate sale, and when Opal's mom said she loved had (and loved it) when she was a girl, I gave it to her. I'll have to ask her what it's called.
DeleteThis literally brings a tear to my eye to see such kindness. IBKC brings out the absolute best in people.
ReplyDeleteI love Opal the human's annual appearance at the FUNdraiser!
ReplyDeleteShe has that special heart that even the young kittens can recognize. And her young brother, Ellis sounds like he is pretty awesome too!
Thanks to Opal the human's parents for sharing their children with us and for supporting their loving natures!
This is so cute that I cannot even find the right words for it! Yay for Opal, Ellis, and their parents! You are all making the world a better place just by being in it.
ReplyDeleteIt's always nice to have a visit with Opal. She's very sweet and it's obvious from the photos that she's very loving with your itty bitty charges. Also, is it just me or is Rutherford the official charmer for this litter of kittens.
ReplyDeleteI hope that Opal knows what a special girl she is. $12 is a LOT of money for a 6 year old to give up. Opal, it will come back to you four-fold when you least expect it.
ReplyDeleteI third the motion that she get a chance to name one of the itty bitties!
As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.
ReplyDeleteEveryone has given so generously...you can feel the love and caring just pouring out...
However, there is just something so sweet and poignant about dear Opal...sharing what little she has to help rescue kitties.
It is such a pleasure to witness, over the years, as Opal grows into a such sweet young lady.
Thank you Laurie for sharing this wonderful story in pictures and words.
I would like to know what book she is reading as well...I have an orange cat and a 4 month old who I like to read to already! Also, what a sweet post and sweet kids!
ReplyDeleteLove the Opal updates :)
ReplyDeleteShe is the sweetest little girl and growing up so quickly. I adore the picture of her reading a story and have come back multiple times today to look at it again.
Thank you for your generous donation Opal, I'm sure it will help lots of kitties.
The book is called "The Cat Book". It's a Golden Shape Book about a cat named Cindy!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for the sweet comments about Opal and Ellis. They are pretty amazing.
They are pretty amazing kids!
DeleteI am wondering if Opal one day when shes older will come home with a kitten! :D
I think she would make a great kitten mum... ;)
Opal you rock (and Ellis)!
ReplyDelete