When Nancy returned to Cleveland from Georgia in l992, my husband and a friend drove down to help her because she was coming back with a U-haul filled to the brim, plus her three dogs, Muffin, a black and grey poodle mix, Gypsy, a curly white Cock-a-poo, and Haji Baba, an adorable faun Pomeranian. There was to be a surprise waiting. Nancy had been living in a large house trailer on the outskirts of Atlanta, where the swamps began and some wild territory abounded. Gypsy had made friends with a young female coon-cat. Each morning when the dogs were let out, she waited to play and run with them while Nancy carefully watched. Soon she became pregnant and then gave birth under the trailer. Nancy brought them all inside. When Buddy arrived and saw the basket with the mom and her babies, he immediately decided they could not be left behind. On the way back they were treated royally, the dogs attendting and guarding and everyone lavishing loving attention.
A special corner was provided in Nancy's bedroom with a large box and fluffy pillows for five kittens and their mother, Kitsey, who became known as "The Kissing Kitty." Homes were found for three kittens and two were kept, Sebastian and Brandywine(Brandy). At first Sebastian was short haired, mostly gold with a bit of under-chin white. He had darker gold markings on his flanks. They were perfectly formed and geometric, consisting of triangles, squares, and circles, and were unusual being symmetric on both sides. As he matured his fur became long, lustrous, and plush and these were no longer apparent. The spot of white transformed to a large, fluffy, snowy ruff. He became an outstanding example of feline beauty along with his sister Brandy. Her fur, darkly multicolored, grew to long silken abundance. Her eyes, large and expressive adorned a very beautiful face.
Kitsey was always an excellent mother. She acknowledged her children as long as she lived and was concerned with their well-being. Often she seemed mean to Brandy, no doubt to prepare her for motherhood, survival, and the care of kittens even though this was not to be Brandy"s destiny. Kitsey was a happy member of the furry folk and everyone liked her in return. However when Nancy and I rescued another cat and her litter, Kitsey was displaced in the bedroom and it took over a year before she forgave Nancy for this indignity.
Sebastian as a kitten was very mischievous and curious. He was a real challenge. The poem "Sebastian The Bad" describes this period of his development. Then he became aloof and independent. He would mostly sit atop a high chest in a hallway, intently watching everything. He was disinclined for friendship. Reaching to him might have meant a swipe of sharp claws. He was not vicious. He just wanted overtures on his own terms. With age he mellowed, achieved wisdom and responded to affection. I regarded him as a wise old soul coming here after many lives. But he only told of one, a favorite, when he was a magnificent golden male lion, cared for in a Zoo by a kindly keeper. Those in Spirit have referred to him as the jokester, and I often wonder what I will eventually discover concerning him.
Sebastian was very devoted to Old Futie. When Futie was declining Sebby would groom and wash him, then lie would lie next to him imparting warmth and energy. He has also done this with other cats as needed. Sebastian is a healer. I thought of him when writing "The Changeling" because he always seemed to have a connection with the elfin and fairy Kingdoms. Sebastian is still as handsome as ever and does not appear to age except for the loss of some teeth,. Brandy is extremely loving. Being confined to the house she takes astral journeys to green meadows filled with flowers and tiny jeweled humming birds. The sunlight is warm, the skies blue with banks of puffy white clouds. She is the "Summer Cat," a poem not yet written.
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