Farewell Tippy

Ten days ago, a tiny chirping creature with black ears, tawny fur, big paws and a spotted tummy joined our family. It sounded more like a winged creature than one with 4 legs. We heard it chirring in the bush near our home after the fire swept through our valley and over the mountains around us. An orphan kitten.

We thought it might stay in our home for a few days but we soon realized it could not fend for itself at such a young age and without a mother to teach it. She wound herself around 5 little hearts and maybe a few big ones too.

She was named Tippy within minutes of her arrival as she kept tipping over when she tried to walk. The children fed her milk by syringe and she began to grow stronger and started to run. Although she is likely a Caracal kitten and so a shy, nocturnal animal, she was instead getting used to being handled hourly and left to sleep at night.

Tippy learned that the sound of the back porch opening meant a small hand would pick her up, feed her and cuddle. Our love grew for this little wild yet tame creature but we knew she could not stay. This kitten would not stay small and would eventually outgrow our screened in back porch. This was a wild cat who would grow much larger than the average house cat. Goats and sheep and chickens that roam freely would be in danger.

Oh we could have tamed her but it would not change the fact that she has wild blood. And so our children came up with a plan. We had once visited a place near Addis called Born Free. A sanctuary for wild animals to be cared for. The children started praying and I wrote an email. We needed an answer by Wednesday night. To their delight, we received an affirmative reply at exactly that time!

There have been tears in the letting go but our children know that God heard their prayers. They are pleased. So tomorrow, Tippy will travel the long road to Addis Ababa with our neighbour family. Tomorrow the director of Born Free will pick her up. Tomorrow, she will no longer have little hands holding her, warm laps to cuddle into and little voices cheering for her. But just maybe when we visit her next month, she will remember these little people that loved her so well.

Farewell Tippy. You have been a sweet friend and taught us to love and appreciate one of God's wild creatures. Thank you Lord that you hear the prayers of our little ones.