Big Red
Last summer I had a visitor, you know the one that arrives but never leaves. However he was not alone but came dragging his better half and his three toddlers. They were of a mixed race it seemed as one toddler was white and one was dusty in color. The third one looked darker with specks of pepper thrown about. The mom was a dainty looking specimen with pointed toes like a ballerina.
The male was a sight to behold. I think he was a hippie in his past life. He was adorned in bright red feathers and had deep set intelligent eyes that looked at you sideways.
These strange visitors left at night to go where I do not know. However, each morning there they all sat on my front porch waiting for a handout. I found some bread and tossed it to them and they all graveled for it like starved orphans. I do have a kind heart but this just was not my problem. I had to figure out a way to get these homeless creatures to move on. What would the neighbors think, seeing them hovered on my front porch every morning?
Once I even took the broom and waved it in the air to scar them off. It worked, all of five minutes. They were a determined lot and remained steadfast like soldiers.
I am not a morning person but my new visitors certainly are. They are so punctual that they put me to shame. One morning I had to get up early and I sat quietly drinking my coffee and thinking wow it’s so quite that perhaps the homeless have left to find new places to explore. I cautiously raise the shade and to my horror I stare right into the eye of a beast, no wait, it is those darn squatters again!
They don’t seem to be a very intelligent family and if they are not fed they just wonder out into the highway dogging traffic as if to try and commit suicide. I run frantically for food to share with them as I cannot stand a dead body on my conscious.
Fall arrives in all its splendor and the chill in the air is predicting the cold that is to come soon. I foolishly begin to worry about this homeless crew and how will they survive in the cold winter. I have no choice but to purchase extra food set aside just for them. What do I get in return I ask myself? So far absolutely nothing! I keep hoping they would go back home to their Master, to a warm soft bed and lots of food but I knew deep down that was not going to happen.
One day a certain naughty off spring flew inside my door. I was having none of that! Around and around we ran from one corner to the other and finally she flew out the door.
Now I have become attached to these poor homeless critters and actually look forward to seeing them. When I pull in with my car they come running as fast as their little skinny legs will carry them and they gather all around me with a pleasant chorus of greetings. Everyone has at one time or the other had that certain visitor come by and never leave. I can’t help myself for adopting them because I love animals!
