Meow

I would make a damn good mom.

Why, you ask?

The stray cat I have been feeding for 3+ years gave birth to 4 kittens in August. I was in a slump back then so I did not approach them on the first day but assured they were all healthy (Mama gave birth on her bed on my porch). The second day when Mama was already recovered, I went out to check the kittens. It was instant love at the first sight. She had 3 oreos and 1 black and they were beautiful. My motherly instinct (if you can call it that) kicked in immediately and I made a vow right there and then to take care of them the best that I could. Mama had 2 previous litters that did not survive and part of it was my fault so I wouldn't want to fail her for the third time.

I started to make plans to make them comfortable; I made a blueprint of their future playpen, ordered bunch of cat stuffs and diy cat toys. I sacrificed so much of my personal time (and date night) to stay home and cherish the moments with them. Mama moved the kittens to my attic several times (mama cats always move their kittens it's so annoying) so my dad and I had to crawl in to get them back to cage because it was definitely safer. When they were around 3 weeks old I moved them to the pen so they could have bigger space with comfy bed and toys.

Because it was during peak time of Covid, I was working from home and was staying home on weekends because they closed down everything. When I had to leave them to WFO again (even only 2 days a week), I got very anxious. Sometimes I arrived home at 6 pm and immediately did some errands or fixed their pen until 9 or 10 pm. It was exhausting (exhausting is even an understatement), but I felt so alive. I was happy and I loved doing everything I could to provide them.

Even if it's only cats (and stray, mind you), to watch them grow up to be fat and naughty, to see their characters develop, is sooo rewarding. It's amazing how a little love and patience could go a long way. I can't take all the credit of course since Mama was the one nurturing them (so proud of her), but when they ran around like crazy I felt that all my hard work paid off. I would do it over and over again and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Unfortunately, 2 of them were kidnapped in the end of September and never been found. I seriously pray whoever kidnapped them will have a bad life (Amen!). Two of them + Mama are staying with me now and proud to say they're quite healthy. The runt of the family, a female we call BT (the other aka the fat one is Ruby), was sick so I took her to the vet and she is gladly better now. Other than that, everything has been going well. (I strongly recommend this vet in Jakarta area : SJP Memorial Vet; amazing vet -very kind and attentive, check them out)

I mean, I am pretty sure I would make a great mom judging from how I take care of my cats. Well obviously I know it's different and being a mom to a human baby is a million times harder but well, I am a good person and would not neglect my own baby. I've decided to be childfree so this is the closest experience of having one. Props to all mama (humans and other creatures) out there who take care of their children because it is a lifelong commitment and not an easy task at all.