I am not a cat person…achooooo! But cats intrigue me – they always have. One of my all-time favorite Steinlen posters is “Clinique Cheron” because of the beautiful composition of cats (and yes, a few doggos, too) in the artwork. I love it and a version of has hung proudly in nearly every room of our house as I rotate pieces from time to time. Like moving my friends around to see who wants to hang out together (wink!) and catch a fresh view. (Yes, the recurring nail holes drive hubster, Paul, mad. Totally mad!)
Once upon a time, dear daughter Delaney was a frustrated little girl because our house needed to be a cat free zone. As soon as she was able, she adopted her first feline (God bless the dearly departed Fursace – pronounced like Versace). To fill the void, other kitty friends became her roommates over the past couple of years.
They’re adorable, but I need to take care to medicate and keep my hands off my face when I’m around Delaney’s furry family. The latest addition? A sweetie who needed a home – urgently – when she was just a few weeks old. Little Stevie – the Wonder Cat* – lost her eyes because of neglect and an infection and as soon as Delaney heard her story, she knew Stevie needed to come home to her. (Yep – that’s Stevie in the image above.)
Over Christmas Stevie had a first-ever field trip to our house and we were amazed by her ability to navigate the layout of a brand-new-to-her space. Her whiskers and fur – especially around her face and ears – are micro antennae – able to detect obstacles in her path before she plows squarely into them. She is delicate, deliberate and fearless. Graceful, even.
Stevie’s lack of vision enhanced her other senses – her ability to detect micro-sounds and the movement of air around her. Her sense of smell? Amazing! On her inaugural visit to our house, she didn’t need a piece of airborne shrimp to bop her on the nose to know it was flying her way. Her head was raised – in preparation – long before the shellfish arrived. 😉
I’m proud of Delaney for her big heart, generally, but watching her loving care of Stevie warms me all over. Even when the thermometer registers below zero…ten below Fahrenheit…to be specific on a day like today.
Sweet little Stevie’s not out of the worry woods yet. She has unexplained seizures that are a cause for concern, but this tiny kitty whose life began in the rockiest of ways now has Delaney on deck to scoop her up, liberally and often, with snuggles galore. And of course, Delaney’s partner Cole? They make a Stevie sandwich as they give ever-ready Stevie endless kisses.
Cheers to family, fur babies and love. Always love.
Vicki 🥰
*And yes…we are a Stevie Wonder-loving family...forever and ever. In case you were wonder-ing. Listen if you don’t know “Sir Duke” so you can ‘feel it all over’.
Victoria Ponders 
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