Miss Carnation

A stray kitten crying for help from a tree triggers powerful childhood memories of abandonment, loneliness, and the deep hope that someone kind would finally come to the rescue. Cry for Help I heard the crying behind the concrete wall that separates our house from a wild stretch of land filled with trees and  grass. At first, I pretended not to hear it. I told myself the sound would stop soon.  I tried to ignore it. But the tiny cries kept coming. It was two days before New Year’s Eve—not exactly the best time to bring home another animal. Everything was already busy and chaotic. On top of that, we already had six cats. And every late afternoon, one regular stray shows up at our door for some nibbles. Our small home was already full of whiskers, paws, and hungry mouths.  There was simply no room for another furry baby. Or at least, that’s what I kept telling myself. The Peek I Couldn't Resist Still… curiosity won. “I’ll just peek,” I told myself. Just a quick look. So I w...

MY cat love story started way before Sophie. Here's how it started... Dobie Some 3 years ago we lost our cat tragically.  From the looks of it, Dobie tried to jump from our fence to the ground but her collar got caught by a crooked chicken wire  hanging her to her death. This is not a good way to start a story but that's what happened..and I hate sugar coating. I was devastated.  I rescued Dobie on a stormy day 2 years prior. I heard "meaows" from under a concrete bench in a sari sari store near our house. I just can't ignore that plead for help so I took her home. Fast forward 2 years later, I lost her. While my family had 3 dogs already, my household felt incomplete without a cat.  Several weeks later,  I knew I had to get myself a kitten...Where else can you get cats in the Philippines but in the streets. We (Jino and I) rounded up our main and side streets but no stray kitten was in sight.  We were on our final block head...