Kitten Smitten

It was the worst day ever.

A recent university graduate and single mother of a three-year-old, I had just moved to a tiny Nashville apartment and was about to begin my first “real” job as a reporter. That Monday, some 24 years ago, I awoke to a pitter patter – not of tiny feet, but rather a ceiling dripping directly onto the only business suit I owned. Blotting frantically, howling baby in tow, I dodged rain bullets only to discover sodden paw prints soaked into the upholstery of the car.

Could my day get any worse?

All the familiar sayings flew through my mind…”that which does not kill us makes us stronger”…”when the going gets tough…” “accentuate the positive…”

Nope. Things got worse.

Rain all day. Interview cancelled. Deadline shortened. Electricity outage. Phone line died. Two – count ‘em – two flat tires. Cranky, crying kid. All alone in a new city. Perfect time and place for a full-blown self-pity party. I let the tears flow.

In the midst of my tears, two huge eyes peeked at me from around the carport wall, then disappeared. “Swell,” I thought. “Now we’ve got rats.” The eyes returned, blue this time, surrounded by a miniature face. I froze; so did the critter.

Minutes passed before a miniscule golden body connected with the face to form an animal markedly resembling a Mogwai, one of the creatures in the movie Gremlins. A kitten, I realized as he edged closer and began meowing; apparently a hungry kitten based on the prominence of his ribs when he urged me to pick him up.

“A kitten capable of being loved back to health, to love and be loved in return,” he purred. “To be named Gizmo and grow into a constant friend and companion,” I purred back.

It had turned into the best day ever.

Janet Garey is a professional journalist, environmental educator, cat-lover and “AARParrothead” devoted to a variety of community-based projects which she either developed or supports. Janet, daughter Amanda, and granddaughter Alexandra rescue and find homes for hundreds of stray or abandoned cats, simply for the joy and love they receive from their feline friends. Born in New York City and raised in Miami, Janet lives in Nashville TN.

Read more: Cats, Family, Kitten Smitten, Pets, cats, kittens, Pets

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Shari S.

6:08AM PDT on Mar 27, 2012

very happy

send a green star

Annie F.

7:07PM PST on Dec 11, 2011

i love this story. animals have a way of gripping your heart in their claws and not letting to.

blessings to all who still post here and keep janet's memory alive.

Patricia W.

8:57PM PST on Dec 4, 2011

Janet Garey, your story made my night. It turned a not-so-good day into a smile :) TY!

6:43PM PDT on Apr 9, 2011

i am so happy to see janet's stories still around and people posting to them.

janet was a beautiful, beautiful spirit.

Jeanne P.

6:54PM PST on Dec 20, 2010

Awww! Gizmo is adorable.
What a cute story. I can well believe Gizmo made up for your bad start that day.
Thankyou.

Patricia Y.

2:14PM PDT on Aug 7, 2010

Sweet story. Thanks.

Ann E.

9:40AM PDT on Aug 2, 2010

Lovely story.

Kristen R.

5:11AM PDT on May 1, 2010

Great story - thank you for sharing.

Kimberley R.

8:40PM PDT on Apr 12, 2010

Aw this was so 'happy-making' thank you :)

Catrina V.

11:33AM PST on Feb 27, 2010

Kittens are so irresistible that almost everyone has a rescue story. Mine happened on December 16th, 1966. I was out taking a walk past the stores in Bergenfield, New Jersey, enjoying the cold, fresh air, Christmas decorations and bakery scents of chocolate and cinamon, when I passed a little black thing on the sidewalk, and I didn't even realize what it was until it cried "Meow!" A tiny black kitten, all of five weeks old, was shivering on the icy concrete. I picked her up; she was skin and bones. "Where is your mother?" But the tiny kitten could only meow. I carried her into several stores; they had no idea where Mommy Cat might be. So I put the little orphan down inside my sweater, and her tiny toes were so cold! I took her home and fed her chicken mashed up in warm broth and then she purred like a motor. Her tiny heart was so full of love. Did somebody take this little kitten from her mother and littermates, because they thought a black cat was bad luck? I named her Jenny and put her back inside my sweater and we had a long nap. I am sure she would have died if I hadn't found her; she was so cold and thin. A few days later, I had a veterinarian examine her and vaccinate her, and then he helped me get her adopted by a very nice family, because my landlord didn't allow any pets. Dear little Jenny became a Christmas gift and she lived happily ever after.