Saturday, April 25, 2009

Camera Critters


"Sterling Darling"

Sterling Darling is my daughter Jean's Chocolate Siamese male cat. He first came into the family at the age of only a few days, having just opened his eyes. He was found on a Friday afternoon by a construction worker under a house in western Little Rock, occupying a 'nest' with an already deceased kitten of the same age, with no mama cat in evidence. He could tell the kitten was in critical condition, and took him to the closest veterinary clinic, where my son's wife worked as a groomer. There was no way this baby could survive without constant attention, so leaving him at the clinic over the weekend with only occasional feeding visits by the vet techs was not an option, so daughter-in-law brought him home with her, "home" being at that particular moment a family gathering in celebration of my 70th birthday. The tiny kitten, which fit into the palm of her hand, would require 'round the clock care which, as an employed person, she was not able to give.

Present at the gathering was my daughter Jean's husband, himself of a very tender nature. He decided that his family, with a stay- at- home mom, would take the kitten, and he put it under his shirt next to his heart, where he carried it almost constantly, taking his turn at feeding the baby, and reluctantly leaving the kitten to the care of my daughter when he was not available.

I'm as sure as I can be that it was the loving and dedicated attention to a tiny creature that allowed Sterling Darling to survive and grow into a beautiful cat. He is devoted to my son-in-law and still rides around on his shoulders for extended periods. Sterling Darling rewards his family by catching small (and, so far, non-poisonous) snakes and lizards he finds crawling about in the wood pile and brushy areas of the property. He brings them to the back door and waits patiently for someone to praise him for his hunting prowess.

How Sterling Darling got his name, I'm not exactly sure, but he is always referred to using both names.


Camera Critters is the creation of Misty Dawn. Check out this week's other critters here.

26 comments:

i beati said...

great story akin to my Evigny mimue

Flo said...

What a fabulous story and a beautiful cat.

Mine is up over at Feather, Fur and Fins.

kayleen said...

Sterling Darling is a beautiful Siamese. He's so fortunate to have found a loving and devoted family.

rhymeswithplague said...

Sterling Darling is a fine example of feline pulchritude! Kudos to your daughter and son-in-law.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

What a wonderful story of the love shared between man and beast! A beautiful "beast," btw!!! Love this story and the photo!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh Man---what gorgeous eyes... I love Siamese cats. They are just beautiful.

I'd struggle calling him Sterling Darling. I'd be shortening that name to something: Ster, Dar, SD, etc... ha ha

Hugs,
Betsy

Snap said...

Wonderful story and a very handsome kitty! How we love our kitties!

Anonymous said...

Pat, wht a truly lovely cat. A gorgeous face!

Arkansas Patti said...

What a special son-in-law you have and what a neat story.Well told.
Beautiful cat with smashing eyes. They were lucky to have found each other.

Janie said...

What a beautiful cat, and a great story about saving him.

Jenn Jilks said...

What a beauty! Must have been a pharaoh in another age!

Our 3 cats have similar stories, also rescue cats. Good for you!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Pat: What a cute face on the cat.

Patty said...

Well just look at that magnificent cat, Sterling Darling is a perfect name for him.

Hilary said...

Such beautiful devotion to that Darling kitty. I love this story.

Anonymous said...

That is such a sweeeeeet story - I'm so glad they all helped take care of him & his love & devotion is their reward! Great story & beautiful kitty!!!

Manz said...

Beautiful story of love and compassion... beautiful cat!

Love those blue eyes :)

Manz said...

On another note, I've set up a "directory" page on the main gritfx website for my cc posts. I'd like to add some links to other cc participants - yourself included. If you're interested in being added, send me a website/blog badge (120pixels wide x 80pixels) to manz76@live.com.
Manz's Camera Critters Page

Jinksy said...

He sure is handsome...

NitWit1 said...

What a beautiful cat and touching story!

As persons who belatedly in life (70s) gave a home to an abandoned/shelter animal, I can empathize. Having had three Ger. Sheps. We vowed late in life-no more pets.

But the empty house called me. A friend saw a Humane Society ad for a GS mix and now we have Luckie.
http://cowardscorner-nitwit1.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

What a handsome boy !!

Beautiful blue eyes and a heart warming story !!

storyteller said...

Fascinating story about this lovely cat's life and family. Such gorgeous blue eyes!
Hugs and blessings,

Snowbrush said...

I would that I were so photogenic!

Pat - Arkansas said...

OPEN NOTE TO SNOWBRUSH: I appreciate and thank you for your visits here, and have returned the compliment by visiting your very interesting blog posts. However, on your blog, the comments I "post," which are held pending moderation, are returned to my email address as undeliverable... rejected, in fact. I'm not offended by these occurrences, but wanted you to know that I have visited your blog.

I'm sorry you're experiencing problems with your shoulders at present, and wish you surcease of such extreme discomfort. Those were great graphics you used to exemplify pain, BTW.

Suldog said...

Can I assume he is as talkative as most Siamese are? Lovely cats, but you have to like cats who meow a lot to live with most of them :-)

Misty DawnS said...

He's gorgeous. I've always loved Siamese cats!

What a great story of his rescue!

Jane Hards Photography said...

Absolutely gorgeous