A Story Of Love

by Spyder, MGD, and BlackJack

There was a very special kitty named Checkers, so named because he had a combination of black and white patterns that resembled a checkerboard. He had only recently been adopted, and was 4 months old, not yet old enough to play with the big cats that also lived at his house. He spent his days gazing out at the huge yard, filled with flowers and plants, and a veritable paradise for birds, lizards and all those fun kitty critters. His humans were quite busy, as they worked at home doing consulting work in the field of animal psychology. Humane societies and cat clubs would often invite one of them to be a speaker at various functions. Checkers was so proud of his humans, they had such knowledge of the animal mind! While they weren't rich, working in this field did bring in a tidy profit, and his humans were always ready to adopt another kitty, which is how he had come to live here. One fine Autumn day, Checkers was peering out his window, tapping gently at the screen, when that same screen fell right off! Since the window was open, he peered out, and then jumped into the spacious yard. Oh what a paradise it was! He spied a chameleon right away, and chased it up a tree, but only came away with a tail for his efforts. But it was so much fun anyway, that he didn't really mind getting only the tail. But then he heard a rustling noise, and a small cry. What was that hiding under those wonderfully thick mountain laurels? With slow deliberate steps, he crept up closer and closer. With an aura of bravery he hardly felt, he inched closer. What an adventure he was having, his first time out in the yard. He couldn't remember that rainy night when his humans had found him out there, almost drowned in the July flooding that had occurred. He had been so tiny, and looked more like a drowned rat than a kitten. But his humans had saved him, and that night his first meal had been some plain yogurt that his meowmie had been eating. He really didn't have many clear memories of that, but still loved to lick up yogurt! But, on to that sound he was pursuing. As he got almost to the mountain laurels, he spied a tiny pair of green eyes staring at him. Those eyes belonged to a tiny calico kitten, who was huddled up into a tiny ball of fluff, with little more showing than her green eyes and a very fluffed-up tail. Checkers mewed softly, conveying trust and love, and the tiny calico mewed back. She was hurt, she had been chased by a dog and just managed to squeeze under the fence. Her stomach was hurt too, because she had raced over an upturned rake in her flight from the neighboring yards. Checkers went over and gently washed her face and whiskers, drying her kitten tears, and bringing about more tears of joy. He led her out from under the bushes, and they made their way back to the open window. Of all the days for his humans to both have speaking engagements, neither was home, and Checkers needed their help. But, they wouldn't return for several hours, and this sweet little kitten needed help now! Grasping the kitten gently as a mother cat, he made a huge leap at the window. He was so amazed when they both toppled inside, and almost landed right on top of the matriarch of the cat family, Miss Queenie. Checkers explained the situation, and Miss Queenie marveled at the bravery and fortitude of this small checkerboard cat. Checkers rank in the cat family had just skyrocketed! Miss Queenie and Checkers set about making their new calico friend comfortable. A soft pile of laundry was nearby, and they nestled her in there, with a soft sock as a pillow. Gently bathing and reassuring the calico kitten, the young Checkers and the old Miss Queenie forged a bond of friendship that would last forever. Checkers had been instrumental in saving the life of this kitten, and Miss Queenie was most impressed by him. Several hours later, the humans returned to find their cat family clustered around the new arrival. Checkers beamed proudly, and Miss Queenie sat next to Checkers, with a Cheshire cat grin, and a paw resting on his shoulders. The humans knew something very special had happened, and the calico kitten was quickly bandaged from the rake injury, and a warm bottle of KMR was prepared for her. She was so tiny, but with those glowing emerald eyes, her name became Emerald that very night! As Emerald slept and purred happy purrs in her new home, the humans fixed a special treat for Checkers and Miss Queenie. Some wonderful home cooked salmon appeared, with a garnish of fresh tuna! Broiled chicken on the side, and a special bowl of yogurt just for Checkers also was served, and the two cats ate their repast on special china dishes usually reserved for the human guests. That night, Checkers, Miss Queenie and Emerald all curled up together, and three generations of cats had found a bond closer than life itself! Words List Provided by: Kitty the Great