She came to us as a result of her owners (our neighbors) moving on without her. I’d noticed a beautiful long hair Calico sleeping on, in and near our wood pile along our front cinder block fence. We already had our 2 rescues we were feeding and had neutered the female. It wasn’t long when we realized our new Maine Coon was going to become a very young Momma. There was no way we’d let her go now. Especially following the loss of our male from a brain tumor.
Cali delivered 5 beautiful kittens nestled safely in the wood pile… That was until the rain came! We took them all inside and nurtured the babies until they were weaned and found all 5 kittens good homes including 2 going together to one home. After we had Cali neutered she fast became a part of our family. Then we began finding a stuffed bear in the yard. I kept thinking it was neighbors who were just being annoying and so I threw it over the fence. This happened over and over for several weeks until I noticed Cali carrying her teddy bear one day as she meowed over and over.
Pretty soon Cali had stuffed toys all over the house but she wasn’t quite done… I had ordered my Mother some sleep clothes to send her which included a pair of pink soft slippers. For days I’d wake up only to find one of the brand new slippers out of the packaging and on the floor. It finally occurred to us that it was Cali stealing the slippers. I couldn’t help but give those pink slippers to Cali which she had with her then and when we relocated to Montana. She tried over and over to steal my actual slippers but I always knew they wouldn’t be far away from Cali. I finally retired one of the slippers I found just the other day. They of course had been laundered every few months but the toe area was ripped from the many trips it made held in our kitty’s mouth just like a kitten!
In 2009 I became disabled following a catastrophic health crisis. Friends and family eventually all pulled back from my life as an invalid but Cali was my constant companion. Even her last hours with me.. in obvious duress, she crawled under my covers as she would each day so we could stay warm together. After over 16 years as my BESTY…Cali was put down to end her suffering from a history of dental issues and finally a bad kidney/bladder illness.
For days I felt like a part of my body was missing and it was akin to feeling like I’d forgotten to pick up my kindergartener from school. Thankfully with time the pained is easing .. Cali Anne was my gift from Heaven as G_D knew we would need each other as very rough waters had set in the midst of our lives. I am so grateful to have shared such a friendship as this….