Eyes in the Bushes

death of a pet

"We are being watched".

"I see that", I replied to my son Jace as I was sipping coffee on the patio.

"Neighbor's peeking from the hedges", Jace asked?

"That would be really creepy", I said. Jace is 12 with a very vivid imagination. Since his husky Em went to dog heaven about three months ago, he sees eyes looking at him from the bushes or from the tall hedges. They used to play catch me and hide in the bushes. They would chase each other all around the back yard for hours. Jace said he doesn't want another pet, at least not yet.

"I don't see the eyes anymore", I said.

"Me neither".

"Go into the bushes and see", I asked?

"No", Jace replied folding his legs, cris cross in the hanging egg basket chair, "it could be a skunk".

"Very good point", I replied. Jace continued to work on his homework.

I really enjoy early morning weekends, relaxing, listening to the bird's discussing life, watching the hummingbirds zip from here to there and back again.

"Mom, the eyes have returned from the hedge this time". There were the eyes, staring out.

"You don't think the animal has rabies", Jace asked?

"Geez, I hope not". I didn't think of that. Hmmm

"What besides a skunk could belong to those eyes", Jace asked?

"Not a dog. Dogs usually stroll over to strange people, usually because they are hungry", I said.

"Hey, it could be a cat? Maybe it is a cat, Jace said.

"Or it could be a raccoon".

"A raccoon would not be so bold", I said.

"Unless it had rabies", Jace added.

Point made". A morning mystery to start the day I thought.

"Not a javelina either. They would rush through the bushes. They don't hide". I nodded.

"Cat then".

"Yup, I'll go with cat". We stared at the eyes. "Probably hungry and thirsty", Jace said.

"Yes. Oh, we do have some of Em's crunchy and squishy food, right"?

"Cats don't eat dog food", Jace said.

"How do cats know that it is dog food", I asked? Jace paused. Then he laughed. "I guess they don't know".

"Kitty is hungry. Kitty will eat".

"Well, let's get going or we will be late meeting our hiking group", I said, as I checked the time. The back packs were ready to go. Just have to fill the water containers.

" I'll feed kitty", Jace said. He ran to the kitchen cupboard, grabbed the half full bag of crunchy and a can of squishy. At the counter he crushed out some crunchy and mixed in the squishy. He looked at Em's food and water bowls in the corner and sighed. He picked them up, put the food concoction in one bowl and filled the other bowl with water.

Jace carefully carried out the bowls to the patio and placed them under the patio table, for shade. Jace glanced toward the bushes.

"No eyes. Bye kitty. See you later", I called out. We were soon on our way.

Traffic wasn't what I thought. Good thing. The hiking gang was assembling at the Devil's Den Trail head as we pulled into one of 5 remaining parking spots. Jace grabbed his backpack and ran off to his buddies. I gathered up the water pack and my backpack, locked the door and walked over to greet the other mom's. Lots of laughter and chatting. fun times.

"How about we hike the longer trail this time, the four-mile loop", I asked? The group nodded. the boys were already off and running.

"Hey guys, remember, if there is a belt looking thing on the trail, don't step on it. It's probably a rattler. And also, careful of the century plant. I don't think we want a repeat of last week's hike".

"No, we don't", Jace yelled out, laughing.

This trail starts out on the shorter trail then forks to the right to go to the creek, about two miles or so. Nice easy slope to walk.

"Oh look", I said, "wildlife", as I pointed at a pinion pine tree. the mom's looked. Then laughter erupted. A squirrel having a nut snack.

"I'm getting hungry", a mom said, giggling. The squirrel didn't even look at us, just kept nibbling away.

The trail winded down to the creek, where the boys, all five of them, were already hopping on the boulders.

"What's that", Jace said as he pointed high up in the branches of a Sycamore tree. Everyone looked up at the tree.

"That is the debris left after a flood", I answered.

"But that is way up the tree, maybe six feet high", Jace said.

"Yup. Some of the floods on the creek are six feet of rushing water, picking up grasses, loose tree branches and even lawn chairs. Then that stuff gets stuck on a tree at the level of water".

"That was some flood", Jace said. There were nods of agreement.

"Looking around, there were many floods over the years", I said. The group walked around, doing their own thing, picking up pretty shaped and colored stones, pointing to minnows in the creek, collecting pretty colored leaves and pinecones. Restful hours to commune with nature. The time seemed to float by, just like the creek.

Jace walked over to me as I was collecting pinecones.

"I think I see eyes in the bushes on the other side of the creek.

"Where", I asked as I straightened.

"There". Jace pointed to a thicket of raspberry bushes. We stared.

"I see the eyes", I said, "good for you".

"Hopefully not a skunk", Jace said, giggling.

"Yup".

"Hey, we are heading back up the trail", a mom yelled. Jace and I smiled at each other. I gathered up the pinecones into a bag and off I walked. We moms talked as we walked up, a slow but steaky stroll. The boys didn't appear as bouncy as they were hiking earlier!

"So, where are we going to eat", I asked?

"There is a new sandwich shop, just opened in uptown", a mom said, "supposed to make the best hot pastrami sandwiches".

"I like a good hot pastrami sandwich, extra pickle wedges", another mom said, giggling.

"Where is this place located", I asked?

"Where that taco place use to be, remember"?

"Oh yes, I was wondering what restaurant would go in there". We hiked back safely to the parking lot, no belts or toxic plants this time. A good hike in nature. A few conversations before we got into our vehicles.

"Hey mom, may I ride with the twins"? I looked at their mom. She smiled and nodded. I nodded. Jace ran over to their vehicle.

A short drive to this new sandwich place. Parking was a bit of a pain, but doable. Another hike! Inside, there were two available tables, perfect, one for the guys and one for the moms.

"Oh, this is cafeteria style. Have to order at the counter". The boys rushed to be next in line. We moms waited. There was always some serious news, or neighborhood news and of course, any gossip that wasn't mentioned on the hike. The other moms were distracted so I quickly snuck to the cashier and paid for the boy's meals. As I was walking back to our table, I was given the why did you do that stare. I shrugged it off.

"Hey, let's order", as I walked up to the counter. The other moms followed.

"I am paying for our lunch smartie pants", a mom said. I smirked. We sat at our table and began to eat.

"This IS really good", I said. "Hey guys, what do you think"? The boys were chowing down their sandwiches.

"Chew", I said, with a smile. The guys were already finished with their meal, surprise.

"What about dessert", Jace asked me? I looked at him. Must be that hollow leg syndrome or a tape worm I thought.

"That ice-cream place. He makes his own. Remember"? Of course I remember. I love that place.

"Well, would it be ok if we finished our meals first"?

"Sure. We will be outside".

"If I ate like that, I would need a whole new wardrobe", I said. The moms laughed.

After the ice-cream, we parted ways. "Keep in touch". a wave of hands in acknowledgment. Jace and I were quiet on the way home. Could he be tired? Wow!

"I wonder if kitty ate the food", Jace asked? After we arrived home and brought in our hiking gear, Jace ran to the back window.

"Mom, the food bowl is clean, I hope kitty ate at least some of it before any other animals got to it. Maybe I should put more food out"?

"No, let's wait till tomorrow morning".

"But what if kitty did not get to eat"?

"Have to take that chance. Remember when we left Em's food out by mistake?

Jace thought. "Oh yeah, that family of skunks stopped by to eat".

"Tomorrow". Jace and I went to our rooms. Sleep was swift.

Next morning, that quiet time, not quite sleeping and not quite awake. Dream time. Really restful.

"Mom", Jace yells, "It is a cat! It's a black cat". Dream time is over.

"A black cat? How lovely. I will be right there". Robe and slippers on, I swiftly walked to the back window and stood next to Jace.

Peering out of the window, there it was, black kitty, a very skinny black kitty, sitting near the bushes, watching us watching it. A stare standoff.

"I guess kitty is waiting for breakfast", Jace said, I'll get the bowl and fill it up". Jace slowly opened the back door, kitty did not move, he bent down and picked up the empty bowl, kitty did not move and returned inside and raced to the kitchen. Kitty did not move.

The bowl was filled with the dog food mixture. Jace took it outside and put it under the patio table. Kitty did not move. Jace walked back inside.

"I will sit by the window and watch", Jace said.

"Ok, I will make breakfast", I said. I walked to the kitchen. What to make? A short pause. I nodded, pancakes, fried eggs, maple syrup. I looked at Jace, he was watching the black kitty.

"Any movement", I asked? "Nope". "Well, breakfast is done, come eat". Jace left his chair, made a plate of pancakes, eggs and poured over the maple syrup. "I'll eat by the window". How could I say no?

I made a plate of food and sat at the counter. Really good, if I say so myself. Just then Jace raced to the kitchen with his plate.

"Kitty is eating". Jace placed his plate on the counter as I got up and we rushed to the window. Kitty was eating the dog food. Kitty ate and would look up from eating, look to the left then to the right. What a way to live I thought, fearful of something. When finished, kitty gave herself a cleaning and a little grooming. Kitty gingerly began to walk to the bushes, stopping to look left and right, then disappeared into the bushes.

"We will put out more food later this afternoon. Kitty may have a home already you know". Jace nodded.

Afternoon came earlier than I thought. I still did not get all of my planned chores completed. Oh well... I smiled. I guess it is time to feed kitty. Jace walked into the kitchen.

"I will get the bowl and fill it up. I am hungry as well, and if I am hungry, kitty must be hungry. Jace went outside to get the bowl. Kitty came out of the bushes and sat. Jace smiled.

"Give me a minute". He returned to set out the bowl. He watched from the window as kitty ate. He smiled.

A week went by. I purchased some cat food, crunchy and squishy. We were running out of Em's food. That was a pause for thought. Kitty ate the cat food. Jace and I giggled.

"I asked at school if anyone had lost a black kitty. No one in my grade. I just said I saw one running in the bushes.

"I know that we hike today, but I would rather stay here and not go on the hike", Jace said. I looked at him.

"Ok, I'll phone and say we made other plans, or something".

"Well, all is well. It seems two of the other mom's had some family issues to attend to, so hiking was called off for today". "Great".

"This time, I am going to sit outside when kitty is eating. Maybe it will not be scared of me". "Maybe". Jace placed the bowl of food in the usual spot. He looked up. Kitty was at the bushes. He backed away to the patio chair and sat down quietly. Kitty stared at him. He stared at kitty. Hmm

It was about ten minutes later, kitty slowly slinked to the food bowl, looking around and looking at Jace. I was watching from the window. It was cute to see kitty eating with Jace there. Trust was being formed. When Kitty was finished, there was a quicker wash and grooming and off kitty ran to the bushes.

"I will follow kitty later today", Jace said when he walked into the house.

Afternoon feeding came, Jace put out the bowl, kitty appeared at the bushes, Jace sat in the patio chair. Kitty walked over to the food without the nervousness as before. Hmmm. When Kitty was finished, with food and grooming, it started to walk away, but stopped, turned back and looked at Jace. Then kitty walked a little more and stopped and looked at Jace. Watching from the window, I knew that was the follow me sign.

I stepped out quietly onto the patio. Kitty looked at me.

"I think kitty wants you to follow".

"I think so too", Jace said. He slowly rose from the chair and kitty turned and walked into the bushes. Jace looked at me. I nodded. We both walked quietly to the bushes. Jace got down on his hands and knees, parted the bushes and stuck his head in.

"It's a momma kitty and she has kittens", Jace said as he backed out of the bushes and turned to me. Of course, a mamma kitty needing to feed her kittens. I walked carefully to the bushes, leaned over them and parted them. there was mamma, looking up at me, with four kittens attached and having breakfast. Couldn't help but smile.

"I will get a box and a towel and let's bring the family inside in the warmth. Laying on the cold ground is not ok", I said. Jace nodded.

I slowly backed away from the bushes. "Stay here", I told Jace. I walked quickly to the house. Do I have a box? I usually break them down and take them to recycle. I looked around. There, one I did not break down. Yay! I grabbed it, grabbed a clean towel from the bathroom linen closet, arranged the towel in the box and rushed outside. This was going to be interesting.

Jace's head was in the bushes. Looked funny.

"Got the box ready", I said.

"Can you get the kittens mom", Jace asked? "I am a bit nervous.

"Sure". I put the box down, walked over to the bush and parted the branches. Mamma looked up at me. I lowered my left hand, slowly, so mamma could smell it, which she did. Good thing no doggie smell. She laid her head back onto the ground.

"Mamma, we are going to move you to a warmer and safer place, if that is ok. You and your family are not all that safe out here. Mamma did not move. I slowly reached into the bushes and gently took one of the kittens off the spigot. Mamma turned her head to me and gave me a look.

"Here Jace, take the kitten and place it on the towel. He carefully held the kitten who started to make kitten noises. Jace gingerly and gently placed the kitten on the towel. It was moving around, looking for its mama. I proceeded to gently grab another kitten when mama rose up and pushed through the bushes and hopped into the box. Jace and I looked at each other. Well...ok. I handed over kitten two, then three and then four. I looked around for any more kittens, just in case. Nope. only four.

I walked over to the box. Mama was nestled in, and the kittens found the food.

"You carry the box please", Jace said, "I'll open the door ". I carefully lifted the box and into our home we walked, slowly.

"Where are you going to put the family", Jace asked?

"In my room by the window. I think that will work, at least for now".

Mama was safe, her kittens were safe. Jace and I smiled.

"We will need more food and other stuff", Jace said.

"Yes, we will. Will it be ok if I went to the store quick like to buy some more cat and kitten food, litter and litter box, maybe get some kitten formula and bottles. You will be ok"?

"I will be fine. You have done this before. I will stay here and keep an eye on them. Oh, don't forget, get some toys".

"Right, cat toys. Well, we have a cat family to care for. I will take them to the vet and ask if they have another family".

"Yes, I know". Jace seemed sad. "If mama does not have another home, I would like to keep her, and her kittens, please"?

I smiled.