For the Birds . . .

"Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love."
- Mother Teresa

Years ago, when I lived in town, I had a big orange tomcat named Gremlin. He was a tremendous maker of fuzz, and we would brush him and throw the fuzz into the yard. Boy, were we surprised when we discovered orange fuzz in the bird nests around our house! The birds were taking the soft cat fuzz and using it to line their nests. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it for myself. It pleased me immensely to think of Gremlin's fuzz providing a soft environment for baby birds to grow up in. Yes, you could even say it tickled me pink!

Speed time forward . . . and so now we have this Tabbycat who is black and white and gray and golden. The greater North American golden Tabby, we call him. My husband is in charge of brushing the cat, and it is a ritual they both love. My husband uses two brushes. He places one of the brushes in front of the cat, for him to chop-slam on. And the other brush, my husband uses to lovingly brush the cat down, from the top of his head to the tip of his tail. The cat keens and looks blissful the entire time; it is clearly a bonding ritual for them both.

In this photo, the latest round of newly shed Tabby fuzz is being quality tested by Crittergator inspectors #1 through #4. The fuzz is tested for softness and cleanliness, and it also has to be certified as relatively scent-free. We are all happy to report that this particular batch of fuzz has passed its quality inspection with flying colors!

Next, it will be loaded onto the Jeweled Stag (whose muscles have grown strong carrying those Dancing Girls) and transported into the yard for the birds . . . As a happy coincidence, prime Tabby shedding time coincides with that time of year when the yard birds are building their nests and raising their young.

So envision, if you will, the mama birds lining their nests with golden-brown Tabby fuzz. And think of the tiny birds who will enjoy this soft fuzz. Will their dreams feature golden, white-pawed Tabbycats prancing over fences, instead of sheep? Peace to you, little feathered ones. May your beds be soft; may you dream sweet dreams.

The soundtrack: The Judds, with Love Can Build A Bridge. Some of the lyrics go like this . . .

Love can build a bridge
Between your heart and mine
Love can build a bridge
Don't you think it's time?