On Saturday The Husband and I got up early and raced downstairs like kids on Christmas morning. This was the long awaited day to let our once feral kitty, Reba out of her garage home. We trapped little Reba and her two kittens in the garage about 9 or 10 weeks ago. The vet told us this was necessary. ( I’ve blogged about Reba before. You can find her little life story here.) Anyhoo, Reba’s not had an easy time being confined to our garage. She loves being outside and cried for the first ten days she was locked up. She and her kittens lived there for about 8 weeks. Then, a few weeks ago, we took her kittens to be adopted. (I can’t talk much about this) Again, she (and I) cried for days as her milk caused her to get terrible mastitis. A week later we caught her and took her to the vet to be spayed and get shots. She’s just recovered from the surgery and finished her antibiotics (for the “worst case of mastitis” the vet had ever seen). I told you it’s been a hard “season” for Reba.
But now, with her new collar and name tag, just like a real house cat, she’s well enough now to leave her “hospital room” in our garage. I had butterflies in my tummy I was so excited for her.
It was one of the most glorious moments I’ve ever witnessed. I have mentioned before that God has used Reba to teach me some powerful lessons, I beginning to think she’s not a feral cat but an angel sent straight from the heart of The Father. We opened the door to the outside and she started towards it and then froze. She looked back at us for a moment and then slowly made her way just outside the garage. We stood back and watched as she looked around. Moving slowly she sniffed a plant here, a blade of grass there. She kept looking over at us as we talked to her. She rubbed up against the stone steps like she was scratching an itch. Finally looking up at the sky, (or maybe it was a bird?!) she seemed to understand the situation. She was free. Can a cat look giddy with excitement? Well, Reba did.
After a few minutes she put her tiny black nose to the ground made her way to the little opening that leads under our lower deck where she used to live. In her “old” life she was able to hide and feel safe there under the deck. It’s just red clay and gets muddy when it rains, but to her, for awhile it was home. Not a great home. But home. 
She disappeared under there and I almost couldn’t stand it. “Kitty, Kitty, Kitty. Come out here Reebs, you don’t have to live under there anymore. We’ve got something better for you now…”
She did eventually come out. And when she did, this is where she went…the gutter. Hummmmm.
We have a plan for Reba that I hope she’ll eventually come to love. Instead of the garage, we want her to be able to come in and out of a (daylight) room in our basement through a pet door. It’s air conditioned and heated. We use it for our ping-pong table and to store all my entertaining paraphernalia and paper back books. 
Here’s the set up…(In case your new to my little blog-home, The Husband has asthma and is allergic to cats or Reba would be in house with us!)
This chair was in the trash pile in the garage but Reba loves it as a scratching post…so I moved it into her new home.
All day and night on Saturday she was outside. She spent lots of time under the deck. But right now, Sunday afternoon, she’s coming in and out of her new home in the basement.
She’s not sure about the pet door…
I wonder if I’m like Reba. It’s been a few months of minor emotional upheaval around here. God’s been doing some things that have been confusing and less than pleasant. But I sense the time in this “season” might be coming to an end. What will I do when I once again feel the sun on my face and see blue skys? Will I go back to the familiar? The safe place? The things I did before? Or will I trust God and settle into the new things He has for me?
I pray I’ll do what He wants. I’m beginning to trust His plan. Beginning again, to trust His heart. I continue to pray for each of you who have asked. Please leave me a prayer need if you have one.
Love to you today Sweet Ones as we live the legacy we want to leave.
Ohhh, Robin this is deep and profoundly simple, kind of like how Jesus taught with parables. I cried over the Reba pictures. This is what moved me–that you’d be sensitive enough to listen and look for God in such an obscure way (isn’t that the way He usually shows up??). And I believe we have two new lives emerging–and you will draw others to peace and freedom.
Great big hug this morning!
what a lovely story! You are an angel to do all that you have done for Reba.
Robin, this is so sweet and I have followed your post about Reba . I too have my Miss Kitty that just showed up, she lived outside but never ever leaves. I have found so much comfort in my animals over the last few years. I know some my laugh at the thought of God using a cat or dog, but I when I have cried after Brad’s death, my sweet Annie was there cuddling w/me and I had think she was crying with me. She spent many days/nights laying beside Brad and was a great companion to him. I think if we stop and just pause long enough, we can see liitle gifts that the father is sending our way. Thanks for such a sweet post. Love to you, Lenora
Robin, that is awesome! God can show us things through anything. It’s quite a revelation to see it! I pray for you daily and thank you for all your prayers for me! Where two or more are gathered!! 🙂 Hugs!
.-= Chele´s last blog ..Encouragement of Good Relationships =-.
Just printed up a copy for MaBWA. 🙂
You know how Reba has taught you? You are teaching so many of us. I am so sorry that you and she have been through rough times. Just always remember that you are holding up a flashlight and lighting the way for some of us that are coming along behind you.
.-= mindy´s last blog ..IT’S LIKE HAVING A TODDLER IN THE HOUSE =-.
Man! Luv me some Reba stories and photos!!
Have you noticed how her coat has gone from
a creamy white to muted, misty gray cashmere.?
Beautiful little blued eyed Reba starts her second
life…….and counting…….seven to go ~
Glad to see Reba is feeling better, nothing like a sick cat! Our Miss Kitty has had a massive Urinary Tract infection. She just got off her medicine and is back to herself again! I hope Reba enjoys her new home!
.-= rene’ smith´s last blog ..Summer fun =-.
Thank you SO much for sharing your stories of Reba and the insights God is giving you! She is beautiful!
I love that picture of Reba in the gutter, makes me giggle every time I look at it! She looks really healthy and happy.
.-= Joanie @ The Bright Side´s last blog ..orchard academy update =-.
I hope Reba continues to use the wonderful area you have set up for her. I cried when you had to take her kittens away, but I understand it had to be that way. Bless you for taking care of God’s little animals. She is such a beautiful cat and has a beautiful spirit as well.
.-= Jeane Gallo´s last blog ..Steve’s Garden – Update =-.
Awwwwwww…… I’m so glad Reba found you and your sweet husband. It sounds like you needed her as much as she needed you. Thank your husband for loving something that causes him agony.
xoxox, Ginny
It’s been a few months of minor emotional upheaval around here. God’s been doing some things that have been confusing and less than pleasant. But I sense the time in this “season” might be coming to an end. What will I do when I once again feel the sun on my face and see blue skys? Will I go back to the familiar? The safe place? The things I did before? Or will I trust God and settle into the new things He has for me?
I pray I’ll do what He wants. I’m beginning to trust His plan. Beginning again, to trust His heart
Oh dear, this part brought tears to my eyes. I am finding a new, wonderful, amazing FAITH and trust in God, as I understand him/her. I, too, am beginning to trust His plan. I am praying and I am so grateful that you are praying for me too. I LOOOOOVE your blog, it helps me evry time I read your post. So, please keep sharing your heart with us,,, it helps more than you know. Hugs, Pinky
Isn’t God amazing to teach us so much through our daily lives? Praying for you and that you will trust God and the new plans he has for you. Matthan just recently memorized Prov 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” He is so proud of himself and repeats it frequently, most of the time during moments when I myself need that reminder.
.-= Vanessa´s last blog ..Keeping it Real =-.
What a great post! I’m the “mommy” of two cats, and more than a few times, the Lord has used them to bless me. Bless you for attending to Reba and her kittens.
.-= Jean´s last blog ..Social Networking, Is It Worth My Time? =-.
She is BEAUTIFUL… love those eyes!
.-= Fifi Flowers´s last blog ..Breakfast Lunch Dinner Tables… =-.
What a beautiful story about Reba and her babies. She is a beautiful cat. You surely have a big and kind heart and have been given a wonderful gift, Reba. I am sitting with tears in my eyes, with my big guy, Oscar on my lap while I try to type this. I was wondering about continuing my Blog or to stopping to do another after our George’s death, and the addition of Oscar. I now know my answer. Thank you for sharing your story.
.-= Darlene´s last blog ..A NEW ADDITION TO OUR FAMILY – MEET OSCAR =-.
I LOVE your Reba stories! I just LOVE them! I have a Bella who resembles Reba alot! My son found her in the middle of the street in an awful neighborhood on his way to baseball practice. He stopped and got her, she was 4 weeks old and sick sick sick! He carried her to the vet, she got shots, medication and he brought her home where we nursed her back to health for the next few days…with the plan of finding her a home…yeah right! She opened her eyes and looked at me the first time and I saw those big ice blue eyes and it was ON! My husband was against another cat, we have three others. REALLY against it…..fast forward….she is his favorite and she sleeps with us… 🙂
Send Reba much love from Bella…
Lou Cinda 🙂
.-= Lou Cinda´s last blog ..WhatAWeekend!! =-.