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Without You

May 4, 2022 19 Comments

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She appeared on my doorstep, bedraggled and hungry. White matted fur, prickly burrs, taut skin stretched across fine rib bones. I spent hours picking through her coat, gently removing the thorny barbs. She didn’t wince or scratch, just sat on my lap; pale blue eyes studying me, purring satisfaction at my efforts. I bathed her gently, rubbed her dry with a fluffy towel. She lapped at the saucer of warm milk, nibbled at the ham I’d finely diced and placed on a silver dish. I was already planning my solitary days around her.

“I guess I’ll name you Hope,” I whispered.

By SL Kretschmer

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Helen C says

    May 4, 2022 at 7:05 am

    Very beautiful story

    Reply
    • SL Kretschmer says

      May 4, 2022 at 5:28 pm

      Thank you Helen!

      Reply
  2. Vivian says

    May 4, 2022 at 7:13 am

    Lovely

    Reply
    • SL Kretschmer says

      May 4, 2022 at 5:28 pm

      Thank you, Vivian!

      Reply
  3. Cathy Cade says

    May 4, 2022 at 7:39 am

    Next day, her owner advertised her as lost 🙁
    But that’s a longer story…

    My rehomed pets have always been better behaved than the ones I brought up – as if they were grateful.

    Reply
    • SL Kretschmer says

      May 4, 2022 at 5:30 pm

      Definitely a longer story there! And stray cats definitely are more loving 🙂

      Reply
  4. Katie says

    May 4, 2022 at 9:11 am

    Lovely story!

    Reply
    • SL Kretschmer says

      May 4, 2022 at 5:30 pm

      Thank you so much, Katie!

      Reply
  5. Yolanda Joosten says

    May 4, 2022 at 11:11 am

    Lovely story. There’s so much tenderness in caring for her.

    Reply
    • SL Kretschmer says

      May 4, 2022 at 5:30 pm

      Thank you, Yolanda!

      Reply
  6. Cherllisha says

    May 4, 2022 at 6:28 pm

    Heart warming

    Reply
    • SL Kretschmer says

      May 5, 2022 at 2:42 am

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  7. Jannine B says

    May 4, 2022 at 6:49 pm

    This is simply beautiful Sharon. Well done ??

    Reply
    • SL Kretschmer says

      May 5, 2022 at 2:43 am

      Thank you, Jannine! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Tina says

    May 4, 2022 at 10:38 pm

    Very sweet

    Reply
    • SL Kretschmer says

      May 5, 2022 at 2:43 am

      Thank you, Tina!

      Reply
  9. Paula says

    May 6, 2022 at 12:08 pm

    So lovely! You really feel for that cat – knowing you’re safe in trusted hands. Beautiful ??

    Reply
    • SLK says

      May 7, 2022 at 7:52 am

      Thank you, Paula! ????

      Reply
  10. David Berger says

    May 7, 2022 at 2:54 pm

    When does the nuclear war come when he has to decide whether or not to eat her?

    Reply

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