We discovered this feral kitten at a rescue. He was dead scared of humans, and I had no experience with ferals whatsoever, but it didn't matter. I was in love with this ginger boy and he came home with me.He earned his name, Jiskefet (Frisian for Dustbin) by hoovering up his food while standing on his hind legs, before I even had a chance to put the bowl down. Food was the only thing that made him forget his fear of humans.
Within days, he developed a very severe case of cat flu. He was desperately ill, with high fever and his eyes running with yellow discharge. It was quite a challenge to give him his medication and wash out his eyes and put salve in them, but after a few days he seemed to understand we were trying to help him and he relaxed and seemed to be grateful we were treating him. It was a miracle. Within weeks, our feral chap turned into my most loyal admirer, my guardian angel, he worshipped the ground I walked on and followed me everywhere. At night, he would sleep on my bed and cuddle up to me as close as possible. He behaved like he was living in borrowed time, as if he was in a desperate hurry to give and receive love.
For well over 2 years, we were the happiest cat slaves in the world. Then, late one night, a lady found him on the curb, killed by a car. He had broken his neck, but he had not a mark on him. The only proof of the accident was his flopping head when I picked him up to carry him home. My angel had been right, he had indeed been living in borrowed time.
Dordrecht, Netherlands
