The recent arctic freeze had us worried about the neighborhood cats that frequent our yard and drink from our ancient birdbath, which quickly turned into a miniature skating rink as the temperatures tanked and the snowflakes swirled. After a couple of anxious days without sighting these ferociously independent felines, I’m happy to report they are back on the prowl, stoic and standoffish as ever about where and how they weathered this latest storm.
Feral cats live a hardscrabble life, and my wishful thinking about their wellbeing inspired this whimsical watercolor painting. But the reality of these creatures’ lives is brutal, so please, spay and neuter your pets, keep them warm in winter and cool in summer, and support local organizations that seek to ameliorate the suffering of animals.
Clark County Animal Shelter, L.I.F.E. for Pets, and Friends of the Clark County Animal Shelter Inc. work tirelessly on behalf of all creatures great and small. Each has a website and/or Facebook page and needs donations and volunteers year-round. Let’s do our part to make Clark County a safe and inclusive community for everyone, including the animals who live here too.
