Thursday, November 15, 2012

Lucy



Lucy.


Changes have a way of happening in multiples.  There have been a lot of changes around here lately.  One of them is Lucy.  This is Lucy (photo above).  Out of the blue this little black and white fuzz ball showed up on my back porch 3 months ago, desperately crying from hunger,,,,all skin and bones, she wrapped herself around my ankles and my heart in an instant.  Her timing couldn't have been worse, or, more perfect if you're a cat looking for a beachside home.  We were in the middle of packing up a house in Toronto and moving it all to the East Coast.  She was homeless and decided she wanted to come with us, she literally forced her way into our home and made it clear she wasn't leaving.  She could care less we already had a cat.  She wanted what he had and nothing was going to stop her.  Apparantly word on the street was that we were headed to a house on 5 acres complete with an old barn and she wanted to hitch a ride.  Her plan worked.  After taking her to the vet and nursing her thru her shots and being spayed,,,I was completely and hopelessly attached and couldn't possibly part with her or give her up to anyone, so of course she came with us to Nova Scotia.   Our 11.5 year old tabby wasn't so thrilled.  We weren't so thrilled about the prospect of a two day long road trip with them, which was pretty much a nightmare but we made it.


Elliot

The two cats are polar opposites as far as personality goes and its been fun to watch them slowly become friends.  It was stressful and chaotic keeping them separated from each other for the many weeks that we had to but as I told myself it was better than her living on the streets.  It took a long time to name her and for months she was simply called Kitty. So impersonal.  Her personality is so dominant I just couldn't think of a name that suited her character.  She's what I call a cartoon cat...the epitome of every stereo typical cat characiture.  She's a bully and a sucky baby at the same time.  She's a girl but she's about as graceful as a bulldog (no offense to bulldogs!).   She's kinda gawky looking and with her broad stance and her pipe cleaner stick legs she's quite hilarious to watch when she runs.  She's only 10 months but she's a survivor,  every time we let her outside she quickly returns with a "present" she's caught.  She knows how to fend for herself, she's fearless.   We now call her Lucy as named by a brother who was staying with us over thanksgiving.  She seems to suit it.  She bullies and torments our 11.5 year old Elliot just like Lucy did to Charlie Brown.  


This is where kitty was living until I took her in.   She was living in these bushes 24/7 all by herself, never leaving our yard.



I've come to see how beautiful she is and even though she was completely unexpected and totally a surprise in our lives, it seems like she fits into our new house here like she was made for it.  I have so many black and white accessories in the house, she really looks like just another one.   The diamond shaped black and white markings on her face and chest mimic the gothic window on the front of our black and white house.  She matches.  So yah, we think she's kinda special like she was meant to be here and now we can't imagine life without her.  Everything happens for a reason.



For a street cat Lucy's adapted to life indoors pretty quickly.  She's a cling on.  This is her regular position.  She wants to be on our laps every moment of the day.  Its become a bit of a problem especially when trying to work.  She'll stay on your lap for hours or until you pick her up and move her.




From sleeping in the bushes to sleeping in our bed - she's lapping up the luxury.  If ever she isn't on one of our  laps, she's on our bed.  She looks almost regal in this shot, which is funny because she really isn't at all.   Her nose was badly bruised and scraped up from her days on the 'street'  but its healed nicely now and she's put on some pounds.


Although I am insanely head over heels crazy about my older cat and this new little one (they are my *babies*)  I vowed when I started this design blog I would  keep my crazy cat pictures to a minimum.  But I do feel that pets are one of the most important elements that make a house a home.  This little one is the newest addition to our home and as you'll see in an upcoming post she's the reason behind many design decisions and changes we'll be implementing into the reno plans.  




All Photos by:   Carol Reed


14 comments:

  1. Sounds like the perfect timing - a sense of the circle of life. She is gorgeous, I can see she is full of personality even from the photos. Whereas Eliot looks quite the elegant dapper.

    Cats do have an uncanny knack of knowing when you need a bit of extra tlc, I think. xx

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  2. Virginia - So true! I had that overwhelming sense. In fact her sudden appearance and resistance to leaving struck me in such a way that I said to myself there is a reason she's here, which worried me. In all honesty I feared that something was about to change. She's turned out to be a blessing for the old guy,,,she's put the bounce back in his step! ~ C xo

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  3. I did not see that coming, you crazy cat lady you.
    You know I am a crazy dog lady. Funny how the love we give them, comes back to us.
    Glad that both cats are bouncin and behavin.
    pve

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  4. Hi, love your post about your new cat, Lucy and how she came into your life!

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  5. Such a beautiful story and the first photo of Lucy is amazing. You should frame it! I agree that cats make a home, have unique personalities and become family faster than you can say feline. We have two cats and I couldn't imagine a day without them. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  6. LOL, PVE I've really had to restrain myself over the years from posting all my cat pics, ha ha. I swear I never wanted to be one of those crazy cat ladies. Now with two I feel like its official. Was always a dog person until I got Elliot. Your dog is beyond adorable and I could tell he is the VIP of your household, and just *slightly* spoiled. : ). ~ C

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  7. Love your story, especially the lap parts! Our two are rescue cats and I can't imagine them not being a part of our family.

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  8. I'm reading this at 10:35pm on a Saturday night, in bed with my cat curled up beside me. I loved this post! Cats are cool and I totally understand everything you said! :)

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  9. totally thank you for sharing your new family member. Funny enough, Lucy reminds me of our late Tomasina and your Elliott reminds of our sweet Kocadon who is turning 6 in a few days.
    After we lost Tommy who was 21yrs 3mths 3days we told ourselves never again, then 3 years later, my friend could not keep the 4 yr old cat her daughter bought home...at that point Coco came to live with us. There has not been a moment I do not thank god for the life she put back into our lives...
    Bless you for opening your heart and home, looking pass the timing and taking her in.
    Pets just finish off a home and our hearts, again thanks for sharing your life as well as your design work...

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  10. CarolAnne - I can't tell you how difficult the timing was, but there was no way I could abandon her. I was on my own at the house in TO while BF was in Nova Scotia. It was hard to integrate her indoors keeping her separate from Elliot. On top of it I was travelling back and forth to NS so I had to enlist help from Neighbors and a brother when I was away,,,and I had to have her in for surgery. AAaaahh. The first time the cats came to nose to nose was on our drive out east. It was unavoidable at that point, I think they bonded during that stressful trip and have become friends now. it was crazy bad timing but I have no regrets. I can't imagine how hard it must have been to lose a pet after 21 years, but what a joy to have had her so long! (Strangely coincidental,,,,I considered naming her Tomasina b/c she's such a tom boy.) Happy to hear you have a new friend for Kocadon,,,they really do have a way of chosing us dont they! ~ C

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  11. question, are you moving to NS or just having a summer house? I have never been to NS but the pictures look amazing...
    ps to enlist neighbors and surgery etc... your a wonderful lady! (I get you, 5 weeks after taking Kocadon aka coco into our home she had 4 teeth removed @ a bill of 900.00) us great ladies just do the right thing, don't we.
    I wish I could truly meet you, but your so far away (I'm in Calgary) that said and why, from your pictures of your home and your work we seem to be simular(but you can spell right, I can't)lol... your condo design is so close to mine it's weird and amazing at the same time.
    anyway, thanks for talking back to me though your comments page, blogging is so cool somedays, you get to meet wonderful people...
    maybe we might meet some day you never know, enjoy the rest of your weekend, I have 4 client presentations to get ready so I will be in my design office today...so good I love my job!

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  12. CarolAnne - Sadly tis the reason these animals are abandoned. I just hand over my visa and say I don't want to know how much (!). : / Our being in NS right now is a relocate 'house' plan for us,,,we gave up our house in TO for one here instead with land and ocean access, and barn etc. Its an all year round house but we'll be back to TO regularly throughout the year, but will just keep a small place there. We have a temp place to stay in TO now and when reno is done in NS will focus on finding a permanent small place in TO (condo or loft). Will always have a place in TO, my family, friends and clients all still there. Truly love how blogs can connect similar minded people. Enjoy your week!

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  13. Awwww, Lucy is so lucky to have found you! Thank you so much for taking in a poor lost kitty and giving her a wonderful new life in Nova Scotia :-)

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  14. aww...so cute! Kismet or Serendipity...something like that. What luck Lucy has run into...it's the perfect home! Although, thinking about that car ride scares me :) I couldn't believe the noises that came out of mine from the crate in the car when we were moving. Not too happy. Hugs, M

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