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Island Woman MJ
Island Expert
| Joined: | Mon Dec 25th, 2006 |
| Location: | Culebra |
| Posts: | 2316 |
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Posted: Thu Feb 8th, 2007 11:23 am |
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(very late last night or very early this morning)
Nikoli clicks. In and out with his breath, which I cannot hear, and can barely feel, he clicks like the cooling motor of a machine. On my chest, warmed without cleavage against me, his clicking vies against the rumbling of my belly, the loudest part of my nervousness around him. He is as small as a big mouse, or a small rat and doesn’t look much different.
What is different is that a mouse or rat would find no refuge with me. Instead of pity, there would be horror and thoughts of immediate death (for the mouse or rat, not my own). Why is that? I’m such a product of my Western world upbringing. Maybe somewhere else in the world, he would be an appetizer, or an irritant to do away with. Ok, he is somewhat irritating. He doesn’t mew sweetly, he squawks like a...like a what? A bird? A frog? Most likely, like a mouse or rat in the clutches of something bad. But he is in no pain. Unless *where the hell have I ended up?* is painful. Embuing him with human emotions I can relate to - brilliant.
He is too small to generate body heat against the towel he is wrapped in, away from my own body. Too small and yet, with each hour, each messy feeding, each startled pee or poop (poop the size of rat droppings, lizard poop without the telltale white) when I lift him, he is more alive, more feisty. I am more sure he will survive, even while I am sure I will wake up and find him still and cold and gone.
Poor Nikoli. He should be with a brother or a sister, better yet, with a mother, full of mother milk, full of warmth. But he’s stuck with me. Twice he climbs off my chest and into my hair; the first time I put him back under the covers, back onto my heartbeat, the second time I leave him there, where is he as I type this, his tiny face pushing into my ear. Clicking away for life.
(morning update) Nikoli sleeps, squawks, eats, pees and poops on typical infant schedule and is getting to be quite the squirmer. We'll see how he does as a cart kitty baby in a box today. We'll see if I can stay awake. He's up for adoption anytime, depending on your patience level!
Last edited on Thu Feb 8th, 2007 11:24 am by Island Woman MJ
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Salva lo que queda! Save What's Left!
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Doug
Charter Member
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Posted: Thu Feb 8th, 2007 04:44 pm |
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May we assume Nikoli is a puddy tat? How did you come to be his foster mom?
Doug
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"Let him who has a free hand cast the first stone."
Dennis Miller, on the Pee Wee Herman public outcry.
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Island Woman MJ
Island Expert
| Joined: | Mon Dec 25th, 2006 |
| Location: | Culebra |
| Posts: | 2316 |
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Posted: Thu Feb 8th, 2007 06:34 pm |
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See my last weather post for the inside edition on Nikoli's coming aboard my life. And yep...he's a gato, a tiny, tiny one. Want to take one home next time you are here? 
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Salva lo que queda! Save What's Left!
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Doug
Charter Member
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Posted: Thu Feb 8th, 2007 07:57 pm |
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Nikoli would soon be gato muerto, were he to cross the threshold of the insanely jealous Shroom's castle. Even the motherly Gumbo wouldn't be enough to save the young'n from that neurotic mess of a feline. Timing is everything when it comes to our next cat. The girls are now 12, and I'm guessing, will be around for 4-5 more years, if the last batch is any guide.
You're a good person, MJ. BTW, I just mailed the box of books. I forgot to write down your PO Box, so they're going to Molly - where I'm staying in March. I'll bring 'em by. Hope there're a few you haven't read.
Doug
____________________
"Let him who has a free hand cast the first stone."
Dennis Miller, on the Pee Wee Herman public outcry.
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Island Woman MJ
Island Expert
| Joined: | Mon Dec 25th, 2006 |
| Location: | Culebra |
| Posts: | 2316 |
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Posted: Thu Feb 8th, 2007 09:01 pm |
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Pffffttt...thanks for your kind words, but I'm not a good person (ie cat fostering). I just wanted them to hush so I could enjoy my beverage! Right now after his last feeding, Nikoli is sleeping in a sun spot on the bed, pushed into a skein of yarn. It ain't mama, but it's soft!
Looking forward to the books!
Last edited on Thu Feb 8th, 2007 09:02 pm by Island Woman MJ
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Salva lo que queda! Save What's Left!
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Doug
Charter Member
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Posted: Thu Feb 8th, 2007 10:06 pm |
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| Yeah, you're a hard ass...not.
____________________
"Let him who has a free hand cast the first stone."
Dennis Miller, on the Pee Wee Herman public outcry.
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Island Woman MJ
Island Expert
| Joined: | Mon Dec 25th, 2006 |
| Location: | Culebra |
| Posts: | 2316 |
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Posted: Fri Feb 9th, 2007 09:37 pm |
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Nikoli has left the building. After a very long night of feedings and crying squawks, going well into the afternoon at the cart, Nikoli is going to join one of his siblings. Hopefuly he will be happy, healthy and find a new home soon. One of the 7 so far has not made it, but I think Nikoli will, unless he just wears out from squawking before his time.
I am looking forward to an early sleep. Much thanks, Gail, and Kirsten. (See Doug, I'm not as nice as you think!)
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Salva lo que queda! Save What's Left!
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Doug
Charter Member
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Posted: Fri Feb 9th, 2007 11:10 pm |
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MA always tries to send me home with a Puerto Rican perro o gato. Ever met Doyle?
Attachment: doyle.jpg (Downloaded 30 times)
____________________
"Let him who has a free hand cast the first stone."
Dennis Miller, on the Pee Wee Herman public outcry.
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Doug
Charter Member
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Posted: Fri Feb 9th, 2007 11:11 pm |
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Plus it seems every place I stay in Culebra has a watch kitty. This one adopted us at La Casita in Dec. 03.
Attachment: la casita puddy2.jpg (Downloaded 31 times)
____________________
"Let him who has a free hand cast the first stone."
Dennis Miller, on the Pee Wee Herman public outcry.
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Island Woman MJ
Island Expert
| Joined: | Mon Dec 25th, 2006 |
| Location: | Culebra |
| Posts: | 2316 |
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Posted: Fri Feb 9th, 2007 11:18 pm |
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Lucky you!  Doyle is a sato?? Pretty kitty, very elegant.
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Salva lo que queda! Save What's Left!
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Doug
Charter Member
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Posted: Fri Feb 9th, 2007 11:34 pm |
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| Not familiar with the term sato - is that a refugee? In that case, yes. But now he's a member of the household at MA's. Along with several other dogs and cats. One cat was originally from St. Louis and the rest were rescued in San Juan or Culebra. Doyle is an incorrigable nomad. I figured he might've made his way into town a few times. Last edited on Sat Feb 10th, 2007 03:37 am by Doug
____________________
"Let him who has a free hand cast the first stone."
Dennis Miller, on the Pee Wee Herman public outcry.
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