Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon

There hasn’t been much to laugh about the last few months. I was so bummed during April and May. I love my furry crew but not even touching another person was really difficult. I’m a hugger.

Added to that, not being able to see my grandson Mr. Perfect was really dragging me down. Our daily Facetimes are great but I missed holding him. I know we’ve all been going through this together but it has really sucked at times.

The last couple of months, my dog Reuben was sick and then Ruth Bader Ginsburg, my 8-month-old kitten. Ruthie was so sick that we thought we were going to lose her. (seriously, this will lighten up in minute). Miraculously, she has made a stunning and incredible recovery. Having her and Reuben both healthy has made everything so much better.

Until last Thursday night.

I was watching another episode of House Hunters (I’m addicted. where do all these young couples get hundreds of thousands of dollars for their first home?!? Ours was $25K. I know, be quiet Boomer). Suddenly I heard this screeching coming from my bedroom. I thought one of the cats was hurt.

Then Ruth Bader Ginsburg walked out of the room. Actually more like crawled commando style on the floor with her butt up in the air. Her eyes were dilated and she was making the worst wailing noise. Then I realized what was wrong.

Ruthie was in heat. Ugh.

I’ve never really gone through this. When I rescued Alice Michelle, she was a much older outdoor cat. She briefly went into it for a day but it was nothing like this. I had Alice spayed and my three boys are all neutered. This was brand new territory.

I couldn’t believe such a little cat could make so much noise. And for five days in a row. My little cottage is only 720 sq.ft and the only rooms with doors are the bedroom and bathroom. Not much place to hide her or from her. I didn’t get much sleep.

I finally sat Ruthie down in the chair with me. She didn’t really want to but I wrapped her in a blanket so we could have “the talk.” I explained to her that everything that was happening to her was natural and not to be ashamed of crawling around backing up into all the cats – who just found her irritating – and Reuben – who ignored her. She was a little girl and becoming a woman now. Women have wants and needs and it’s all a beautiful thing.

I explained all about boys and that she needed to not trust tom cats. They may say they’re neutered since they have an ear tip, but that could be from fighting not surgery. And those boys will travel for miles and love her and leave her. No dinner, no romance, just wham bam and they’re off to find another. Then she’ll be left all alone to have kittens. No child support from those bad boys.

I don’t think she cared nor wanted to hear my sage advice.

We had two different boys come courting on the back porch. Now Ruthie doesn’t go outside, she is a strictly indoor cat. I have no idea how they knew she was raring to meet some boys. She heard them first and was right over at the french doors saying, “hey big boys.” I immediately put her in the bedroom and used the squirt bottle to send them running. Next time they come around they’ll find a nice cage for them to travel in as we go to Humane Ohio for some permanent birth control.

Ruthie finally returned to her normal, non-wailing, appropriate affectionate self. She is back sitting in the bathroom sink (she has a fierce obsession with water and loves faucets and even gets in the shower with me). And Ruthie will go see her favorite vet Dr. Jenny in two weeks.

My little girl is a woman now. And I never want to go through that transition with a girl again. I’m too old for this shit.