She’s the cat with a story as epic as her name suggests. So, grab a cup of coffee, find a cozy spot on your porcelain throne, and prepare for a 15-minute adventure.
Passepartout
Picture this: It’s the scorching hot month of February, where the sun is determined to turn everything into a melting pot.
During this heatwave, I meet Toots, a tiny feline. With her delicate ballerina feet and petite frame, she’s a force to be reckoned with, a bull charging at a matador, as I would soon discover.
As I approached the brown igloo where Toots resided, I couldn’t help but notice six adorable two-week-old tabby kittens giving me the evil eye, hissing like tiny dragons. They clearly weren’t thrilled about my presence and the unfamiliar scent I brought with me. Little did they know that their lives were about to change forever.
I poured some Whiskas onto the warm pavement and with a growling tummy, Tootz devoured it, her slender grey body yearning to return to her primary duty—being a devoted mom.
As she kept a watchful eye on the igloo, I realized she wasn’t your ordinary stray cat; she had once been someone’s kitten. But fate had other plans for her.
Tootz’s journey to this garden hideaway had been fraught with danger and desperation, and she found herself homeless and heavily pregnant.
Carefully lifting the igloo, Toots rushed over to investigate the commotion. She called out, her eyes fixed on the igloo, as if wondering what was happening to her humble abode.
I gently put the igloo down again, she counted and licked her kittens, chirping and licking some more.
This was no ordinary feral cat; she had a past and a determination to protect her little ones.
With a blanket covering the igloo, I cradled Tootz and her kittens, whisking them away to the car.
No steel traps or elaborate schemes were needed. Or so I thought…
Just as I opened the car door, Toots had her own plans and dashed off, her sleek grey tail disappearing into the distance. My heart sank momentarily as I realized I was in for a wild cat chase.
What should have been a quick task would turn into an hours-long adventure in my already hectic life.
But Toots proved us wrong. She sprinted around the corner, leaped over walls, and returned to the garden in search of her kittens.
Left with only a trap, I had to devise a plan. Dribbling a trail of Whiskas, knowing her hungry belly would betray her, she stepped onto the plate without a flinch as the trap closed behind her. Food had become her second priority.
I covered the trap with a cozy kitty fleece, whispering comforting words to Tootz, assuring her that everything would be alright. And just like that, Tootz and her kittens were safely in the car, ready for their next chapter.
As the car engine roared to life, her human standing in the driveway exclaimed, “Let’s call her Passepartout!”
I wondered how on earth I would remember such an extravagant name as Passepartout. Little did I know that this name would become etched in our hearts, symbolising the special bond we were about to form.
Passepartout’s arrival marked the beginning of an enchanting tale, where Tootz and her precious kittens would embark on a shared journey.
A covenant was made between Tootz’s humans and me. She and one of her kittens would find their forever home with them. Toots would temporarily stay with me in my catio, while her human family waited for their new house transfer to be finalized.
However, life always has its twists and turns, even in fairy tales.
Cleo & Kiara
Enter Cleo and Kiara, two scrawny and displaced young cats.
In the realm of rescuing cats, plans are often carefully crafted to ensure their well-being. We had a plan for Cleo and Kiara—a plan to nurse Cleo back to health and have Kiara undergo sterilization, putting an end to her impending motherhood.
It seemed like a straightforward path; one we had walked countless times before with feral and domestic cats. It should have been a breeze. But little did I know that fate had a different plan in store for us.
As I gazed upon those fragile, skeletal bodies of Kiara’s five unborn kittens, my heart melted into a swirling whirlpool of chocolate fondue. Suddenly, the plan didn’t seem so simple anymore.
Their vulnerability tugged at my heartstrings, invoking a wave of emotions that challenged the logical path we had set out on.
From the very beginning, Tootz made her opinions about the living arrangements abundantly clear. She saw it as her humble abode, her sanctuary, where she could nurture and care for her precious kittens.
That petite, grey dynamo would launch herself fearlessly at Cleo and Kiara, leaving me in a state of anxious turmoil that only those familiar with the trials of Zoloft could truly understand.
Cleo found solace in our home, seeking refuge among my existing feline companions, a merry band of nine. She wasted no time making herself at home. For now, she was one of us, until the day we find her forever home—a haven where her gentle spirit and loving heart can flourish.
But the circle of life had more surprises in store for us.
Kiara, in the quiet embrace of a peaceful Tuesday morning, brought forth her kittens into the world at the respectable hour of 10:07. With bated breath and a vow to allow their birth solely for educational purposes, I stood witness to the miracle of nature unfolding before my eyes. The sheer wonder of how a mother cat tends to her kittens, providing unwavering care and nurturing, left me in awe. It was a genuine miracle, an embodiment of love’s power.
As the days passed, I learned a heart-breaking truth—this was not Kiara’s first rodeo. The revelation saddened and angered me simultaneously.
Had I known, I would have made the selfless decision to spare her from this burden. Although she dutifully tended to her new-borns, it was clear that her heart wasn’t entirely in it. It was then that Tootz, the matriarch of our little feline community, stepped in. With an air of authority and grace, she adopted Kiara’s kittens as her own.
Tootz’ Mischievous Exploits
A friend bestowed upon me the comfiest couch in all the catio kingdom. My days were spent in that feline oasis, having Zoom meetings and taking catnaps with the adorable kittens and their majestic queen, Tootz.
To keep myself entertained, I would slyly hide one or two of Tootz’s kittens under the blanket with me. It was only a matter of time before she realised her little ones were missing and embarked on a search and rescue mission. With a stern “hey” in her unmistakable cat language, she’d scruff them by their necks and whisk them back to her cozy den.
Tootz, in her unwavering determination, decided that the “igloo suite” was no longer suitable for her offspring.
She spirited them away to a hiding place behind the couch, seeking a warmer and cosier spot for her little ones. Though the artificial grass provided some comfort, trying to keep the kittens warm during the chill of autumn nights proved to be less than ideal. Time and time again, I found myself gently relocating them back to the safety of the igloo, engaged in a power struggle that lasted for four long days.
It was a battle I couldn’t win. Mom always knows best, right? Tootz made sure her voice was heard loud and clear, constantly calling, and chirping to remind everyone of her presence.
Little did she know that her vocal prowess would cost her the soft, gentle voice she once possessed for over two weeks. A sacrifice, perhaps, but a testament to her unwavering dedication to her beloved kittens.
While Tootz awaited her forever human family’s visit, a parade of hands eagerly opened the catio door, clamouring to meet these cute, little “artifacts”
The kittens grew at a rapid pace, and before I knew it, they were four weeks old, keeping Tootz on her toes and her motherly instincts in full swing.
One mid-April evening, as the chilly air settled in, we decided to bring the kittens inside to snuggle around the warmth of the crackling fire in the lounge.
But while we were engrossed in kitten cuddles on our laps, we noticed that the furry bunch was dwindling. Alarmed, we scoured every nook and cranny, peering under couches and furniture, but the kittens were nowhere to be found. Even the one I had left behind on my warm lounger had vanished.
A full-fledged search and rescue operation ensued.
Suddenly, I caught a glimpse of Tootz stealthily leaving the cosy confines of the lounge with something clutched in her jaws.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I quietly trailed her out into the cold. There she was, resolutely carrying the eleventh kitten back to the catio. This fierce mama was determined to keep her babies within her sight.
According to her feline body language, it was dark, it was late, and it simply wasn’t appropriate for such young kittens to be anywhere other than snugly tucked into bed (albeit now under the warmth of an enclosed chair where I had draped a soft, cozy blanket for them to sleep on).
There is also the tale of a chicken potjie soirée:
Not just any chicken potjie, mind you, but a delectable creation from Woolworths. None of us noticed that a plump and juicy thigh had stealthily escaped its packaging—until it was too late.
As I peeked through the wooden door to the outside, my eyes widened in amazement.
Tootz was dashing away with that prized piece of meat, heading straight for the catio.
I thought that sly little minx was about to savour a feast all to herself! But once again, she astounded me with her selfless love. She gently placed the succulent chicken thigh before her kittens, encouraging them to share in this grand culinary adventure.
Of course, when she attempted to make a return trip for seconds, she was met with a resounding chorus of “NO!” from all of us.
Every time we offered her a treat, Tootz would carry it diligently to the catio, presenting it to her offspring with an unwavering devotion that touched the deepest recesses of my heart.
When Darkness Descended
With every update and picture sent to Tootz’s human, a flurry of eager anticipation followed.
We counted the seconds that turned into minutes, the minutes that turned into hours, and the hours that turned into days. But alas, those days seamlessly melted into weeks, and now, those weeks have transformed into months.
Delay after delay after delay.
The challenges that arise when caring for little ones who aren’t your own. What was meant to be a temporary arrangement soon became a semi-permanent reality in the blink of an eye. As I navigated the whirlwind of having my own nine feline companions and two spunky eleven-year-old Yorkies, chaos and drama took centre stage.
Picture the Housewives of Pretoria, with all their dramatic flair and larger-than-life personalities.
That’s precisely the level of intensity and chaos Tootz brought to our humble abode.
She clawed like a lioness hunting her prey, her fierce protective instincts rivalling the strength of the strongest animal. It was as if she believed herself to be the queen of the jungle, defending her precious kittens with unwavering determination.
Farewell, Little Kittens
As the days rolled by, Tootz’s precious kittens found their way into the hearts and homes of their forever families. One by one, they bid adieu to our cozy catio.
First to depart was Chunky Monkey, followed swiftly by the darling Zoë. Cinnamon, Princess Beatrix, Duke, and Duchess soon embarked on their new adventures, leaving us with an empty spot in our feline kingdom. Then beautiful Ryan captured the hearts of a loving family, joining his siblings in finding a place to call his own.
The days turned into weeks, and a calm settled upon the catio as no new paws graced our doorstep. I couldn’t help but worry, fearing that I might end up with a whopping 18 cats, each with their unique purrsonality. But then, a ray of hope broke through the clouds of uncertainty.
Lily, Jake, and Ricky found their perfect matches, their forever families embracing them with open arms. And so, the numbers dwindled until it was only Tootz and Roux, her last remaining kitten, sharing their own unique bond.
As Tootz watched her beloved kittens venture off into the world, I couldn’t help but feel a bittersweet ache in my heart.
The catio seemed quieter, the space a touch emptier. But amidst the pangs of farewell, I held on to the hope that she and Roux would also find a life filled with joy, happiness, and endless cuddles.
Amidst the daily dose of theatrics and furry family dynamics, I found myself caught in the whirlwind.
But Is a Dog Truly Your Best Friend?
Dogs have long been hailed as “man’s best friend” for a multitude of reasons. However, when I look at what Tootz embodies, I believe she could be someone’s ultimate best friend.
The love she exudes is unparalleled. Not only has she shown unwavering devotion to her kittens, but also to me, her caretaker.
Despite being scolded, sprayed with water, locked in the catio alone, and even receiving an old-fashioned swat on the bum, she harbours no grudges, nor does she judge based on such factors.
She keeps you physically active, as she constantly entices you to leave your chair and investigate her kitchen escapades.
Mentally, she stimulates you by challenging your ability to prevent her from swiping food off your plate without permission, and by making you ponder why she insists on carrying every little trinket to the catio (yes, even Pip, my three-day-old adoptive kitten who required hand-rearing)
She thrives on human companionship and faithfully trails behind me wherever I go.
Her innate loyalty fosters an unbreakable and enduring connection, her devotion knows no bounds, and it is this very quality that qualifies her to be a true best friend to us mere mortals.
With her white whiskers extending past her shoulders, her graceful yet filled-out grey physique, and her contrasting white facial features that attempt to convince you of her goodness, Tootz is a sight to behold.
She is a remarkable mother, complex and occasionally jealous, always hungry, and curious, sometimes fiercely protective, unyielding as steel, determined, loving, and undeniably beautiful.
But above all, Tootz yearns for her forever family.
She has countless seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years ahead of her, waiting to be shared with a loving family.
Like the character in Jules Verne’s novel “Around the World in Eighty Days,” she will spend her days revealing all the wonders that others might miss.
Adopting Tootz means opening the door to a lifetime of cherished memories and unconditional love.
Are you ready to make Passepartout your best friend?
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