Starry-eyed Boy
The community garden was humid — a far cry from cool, but eased off from the inferno and searing light.
As night fell, silhouettes flashed and sprinted by in the indigo dusky darkening night.
Veggies of all kind, tall grass, leafy shade and fruit trees protect cats hiding all around.
Stock-still fixed dilated eyes and ears alert, always hungry and anxious, now safe and sound.
The rusty two-wheeled cart squeaks strained with bags, jugs and bowls and more
Loaded with food and kindness like a thousand nights before.
Tiny heartbeats quicken, ears lean ahead detecting the sound, eyes aglow and glisten
as she treks along the wide center pathway well beaten.
Goody bags crinkle open, kitty pads pound down the paths to get near.
A chorus of shouts and cries announcing, “We are here!”
They zip and zoom with wild eyed frenzy pillar to post to get to their waiting treat tray.
Whiskers calmly assumes his usual shared bench perch above the fray.
As the rest saunter and run away into the safe black, tuxedo clad signature white striped nose , belly, and paws, he stands out day or night.
Working his large white paws, flexing his claws with delight, his bowls empty, his back upright.
She sits beside him as he finishes up bathing then nestles for the last time in her lap
She stands holding him tight taking her Big Boy to his forever home to finish his nap.
© Star Currents 2022
Please help my friends still outside by supporting your local TNR (Trap Neuter Release) programs to control the pet population by volunteering, fostering, contributing food or financial support for local TNR groups. The largest beneficiary will be you, it warms your heart and fills your spirit by making a real difference today. People caused problems, fixed by people created solutions.
“TNR is practiced across the United States and all over the world. It’s considered best practice and is good public policy.
TNR is supported by all credible animal protection organizations including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA), as well as hundreds of TNR groups nationwide, and the countless individuals who carry out grassroots TNR programs.”
Source: alleycat.org
