I was named by
Magigys Cigany, the Gypsy of Abbottsford Road. The name has Hungarian roots as
a tribute to Magigys' ancestors. It literally means "hard". Hard is
an apt description of my early life. I was found on the streets as a kitten
with my brother. One day, you see, our mom never came back. Even as a kit, I
had gorgeous long, silver fur which didn't go unnoticed.
Unfortunately, it caught the eye of
some young, nasty humans. They plucked me out of my bed and swung me around
their heads by my tail. I heard my bones crack, but, was so startled I felt
nothing but terror. Two older boys passing by protested. Being bigger than the
biggest in the roving gang, they took me away from the others. I know I
would've died right there if those two hadn't spoke up. They found my brother
and we had a new home.
The boys' father and mother were
teachers who had come from a country they no longer could live in because of
humans like the cruel gang that found me. This kind family built a place for us
in their garage. It was wonderful to feel safe. Still, there were new dangers ahead.
The family had always let animals roam as they wished, which I loved.
One day I was sleeping in the
sunshine at the side of the road. A neighbor hit me with his car and didn't even
notice. The boy's father saw me whimpering, trying to crawl. After a trip to
the veterinarian (a place I suggest no one go to but the very ill), they found I
broke a leg. The leg healed well. My luck held out.
As time went on, I realized couldn't
compete with my older brother and the other bigger cat for food. You see, I was
tiny. I just couldn't get enough mice to make up for the kibble that the others
gobbled down before I could.
It was time. My leg and tail had
mended. I felt restless and hungry. The dark woods behind our home attracted me.
If I could make it there - I'd make it anywhere. If not, well, I had little
chance of thriving with the others cleaning out the food bowl! After one long
look back at the kind family that saved me, and a moment watching my brother playing
in the garden, I leapt into the trees to begin my next journey.
I didn't know what I was in for. The
first night, they were all around me. Their slobbering, drooling hunger
surrounded me. High pitched yowls filled my ears as they ran from bush to bush
searching for me. I climbed a small tree. Like a squirrel. I leapt across to
another. They couldn't smell me up there. I saw their dark eyes - mere slits of
silver reflected by the moonlight. Many nights I avoided them by staying in low
branches. When I was asleep, I almost fell out of the trees. Hanging by a paw
is embarrassing. Now it could be deadly. That tactic was no longer a choice.
I was exhausted. I'd been in the
woods for almost two weeks. I lost so much weight; I looked like a kitten
again. I caught bugs and an occasional vole; but, it wasn't enough to keep me
going.
One night, a coyote's rancid smell
was on my trail. I turned. He looked me right in the eyes and cried a piercing
scream. I ran as fast as my tired legs would carry me. The monster was so
close, his breath felt like fire on my tail. I took a quick turn. He barely
realized it before I disappeared. He stopped and looked around. I had run
headfirst into a fresh mound of coyote dung under a dense bush. This was not
what I planned. But, I was so tired, I couldn't move. The creature was salivating
on top of me, but, couldn't smell me. All he smelled were other coyotes. The
dung hid my feline perfume.
That's how I survived the next few
days. I'd roll in coyote dung whenever they came near. They would yip as one
and gallop right past as I hid in the bushes covered in muck. One problem
solved!
I still was not doing well and
losing strength. Then came the morning I'll never forget. I thought I'd lay
down for awhile. It was more than sleep that was nipping at my tail this time;
it was complete surrender - a sleep of death. I was spent.
A tortoiseshell cat appeared before
me. I thought I was dreaming. She looked at me and said, "You are a Wise
One. By taking the hardest path, I heard your cries of desperation. Come with
me." I rode with this beautiful cat in the Sphere and found myself with
all my needs met on Abbottsford Road.
Well,
that's my story. I'd better go now. There's a kitten who's not able to get at
the kibble when the bigger cats are around. I'm going to teach her a few
tricks!
PhotoArt by Kim Yvonne Cady "Kemeny;s Journey Begins" @2011
