Mama

by Amanda Ritzel, Georgia

    Mama came to us during the summer of 1999. She was so wild no one could go near her. She'd claw and spit, looking like an animated cartoon cat that had  just come to life. To this day no one has ever picked her up, except my daughter. That's because Samantha wasn’t really aware of how wild Mama was. Or maybe it was that Mama was in shock that she'd just been scooped up like a rag doll, the offender taking little heed of her scratching and hissing. Or perhaps Mama sensed that she was being picked up by a child, one who handled her so gently and lovingly, her fears were allayed and she gave in to the hugs and cuddles bestowed upon her.

    When Mama first came to us she had long fur and a scrawny tail. She looked like she hadn't had a good meal in quite some time, if ever at all. She'd gobble up the food we put out for her each morning and evening as fast as she could, fearful that this meal might be the last she'd have for a long time.

    She acquired the name ‘Mama’ because I thought she was pregnant when she started coming around. After a while it became apparent that she wasn’t, but the name stuck. My husband was skeptical of the knowledge I claimed to have about cats. Mama was a tortie and therefore female. He couldn’t understand how that could be, but he accepted my explanation.

    I had hoped Mama would stick around because I couldn’t - and still can’t - get enough of cats. I had lost Bandette, my beautiful calico to feline leukemia the previous May. I didn’t want to even think of another cat replacing her, but in June my husband coaxed me into going to PetSmart. Animal Rescue was there with cats for adoption. We adopted two brothers that had been abandoned at two weeks of age. In September, a stray kitten adopted us. Mama came just before the adoptions in June. I know now that I needed to care for and love other cats.

    I placed a carrier on the front porch for Mama in case of inclement weather. When the winter came I put a heating pad inside the carrier. I didn’t think she’d use it, but to my surprise, one morning, she stuck her head out as if to say ‘hello and thank you’. I think that was the best thing that I’ve done because she has slept in the carrier and recently gave birth to five beautiful babies. She is really a mama now. I purchased a bigger carrier for Mama and the babies so she would have more room to nurse and care for them.

    The kittens are five weeks old now and are beautiful and healthy. We had to move Mama and the babies a couple of weeks ago because something spooked Mama and she felt the need to move the kittens to the front and back doorsteps, wanting to bring them inside. A friend of mine volunteered the use of her enclosed front porch as temporary lodgings for Mama and her brood. It is perfect for them. Each kitten has a nickname. There's Fat Cat, Blondie, Quiet One, Squirt and Tori. Everyone is doing beautifully, and when the time comes for the kittens to be weaned, each of them has a new home to go to. I am keeping Tori, the tortie, and, of course, Mama has a permanent home with us.

    We started Mama's shots just yesterday. I thought it would be difficult to get her to the vet, but she did 100 percent better than I thought she would. She is going to be spayed on the 20th of April.

    Mama has calmed down slightly but still has a wild streak in her. There is no doubt that she trusts my family and me with her family. I handle the kittens to change the towels in the carrier often and just to admire them. Mama stands sentinel over them but never makes a move to stop me. I have never seen such devotion as she has for her babies. I constantly tell her she is a good girl and a good mama. I hope I am lucky enough to have Mama in our lives for a long time. copyright 2000.  Reprinted with permission.