Twenty-two years ago, the most remarkable creature arrived at Carpe Diem Farms. A four-week-old kitten under the hood of Rafael’s car. I had been walking in the paddock checking the horses when I heard Raphael’s car meowing! He opened the hood and there, sitting in the headlight box, an itty-bitty kitten! She had stowed away and come up the mountain from Franklin.
Gracia arrived within a few days of the loss of Charlie Brown and Gracie, our two equine wise elders. The distraction of a kitten, full of life, was exactly what I needed to bring joy back to the farm.
She was an immediate welcomed addition to the CDF family. The dogs, Joy, Inde and Little Bit thought having a baby sister was terrific!
It didn’t take long for her to “rule the roost!” She took over the house and won the hearts of everyone who met her.
I hadn’t had a kitten in my life since I was a little girl. Beset with cat allergies that made my eyes itch, and my skin break out in a rash I had long ago determined dogs would be my option as indoor pets.
I had unknowingly outgrown those allergies and Gracia slept in my bed every night! She also cuddled with the dogs sharing their beds.
As the years passed, other cats and dogs joined our family and lived out their lives with us. She welcomed them and yes, snuggled with them. She was a cat without boundaries! She loved being groomed and whenever I took the clippers out to give a dog a haircut she stood in line for her turn. When Jethro joined our family nearly five years ago as a puppy, she immediately claimed him as her companion. She could be found snuggled with him in his bed, by his side always. He misses her.
Her presence is felt though her body now rests in the St. Francis Cemetery with all the horses, dogs and cats who have preceded her. She was a special gift who will always be remembered. Rest well my sweet girl.
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