The Wolf’s Christmas

The Wolf watches the setting sun, ribbons of gold and rose, bronze and violet blue drifting across the sky. He smiles, watching the places beneath the Tree fill up with tired animals as evening comes on and the small creatures bed down for the night.

Shy Kerrie and Mr. Kitten cuddle down together in a hollow behind the Tree, whispering softly about the day. Jasmine joins them, three pairs of blue eyes flashing with delight about memories of snow falls, icicles, and the lovely frost flowers in the Meadow. Bob and Tex lie near them, the son’s head resting on his father’s chest. Max leans against Jasmine, his orange points like flames against her fur. Kali and Inkspot snooze together. Emma Blue, surrounded by her babies, walks toward the four members of The Siamese Patrol and the other cats, and they all smile to listen to the piping kitten voices:

“I got snow in my nose!”

“It fell on my tongue and I licked it and it tickles!”

“Where did it come from?”

Mama Cat’s head lifts and she smiles, too. The Kitten Pack, exhausted by the cool snow and sparkling field, melt into furry piles around her. Mischief and Spooky yawn and twine about each other, purring, and the Autumn Kitten and Tiny Ebony are giggling about the day’s adventures and good memories of a sweet lady. “Our mama will laugh when we tell her!” “Ann, our Ann!” Cammie looks over at Mama Cat and leans over to nuzzle the two little rascals. Their Ann is her Ann, too.

Wilbur lies with his back against the Tree, LittleCat nestled into the curve of the larger cat. He licks one tiny tabby ear of his little friend, remembering their darling mama’s love for both of them.

Bob, Gilligan, Timmy and Little Buddy curl up together in gentle friendship, with no memories of the hardships they faced in life. Gilligan turns and looks up, smiling into Shaddo’s face. “Yes, we’re OK,” and small Shaddo and Jiggs the gentle giant both turn to look each other in agreement. All is well, and they look over at the snoring heap composed of PJ and Smokey, Smokie and Chinook. “They look comfortable!” whispers Jiggs, and Shaddo agrees. The two pace onward.

Kinker smacks his mouth in sleep, dreaming about his fun with Max this afternoon at the frozen Brook, and Kilroy rests his lovely orange head between the big gray tabby and the pretty tortie called Ms. B, whose foot twitches as tummy scratches pass through her slumbering mind.

Feather and Festus snuggle down in their hollow, and their dreams of the ones who loved them are sweet and full of warmth. The only memories they have are the good ones, and they shine in their hearts.

Pretty Velvet Rose, dark against the green needles under the Tree, dreams of her sweet Cheri, and little harlequin Dottie sits quietly talking with Oliver Twist, Kizzy and Tansey . Another pretty Velvet, a Cornish Rex, bats at some needles and twigs, listening to her friends. Suki, Polly and Hepburn watch as Oliver licks one paw. Oliver and his friend Dottie like to discuss mousie toys. “I loved playing with them and giving them back to my mama!” he brags. Squasha, a soft white cloud of a cat, smiles at the two and mews softly in agreement.

Katie, Snowman, Cheeper and Mini watch as Megan and Rusty tread the needles into a softer bed. Shy and sweet, Whiskers paces behind them. “I think you missed a spot!” laughs Mini, and Whiskers smiles at her. Another Whiskers, tiny and gray, leans against her friend who shares her name. They are all such good friends here in the Meadow.

All of them, cats and dogs and ferrets and a sweet little hamster named Watson are settling down for sleep after this wild day.

Snowflakes, fat and cool, showered down, and there was so much to do today!

* * * * *

The beautiful silver Hermes led an expedition to the hedge-rows for Snoopy and Patches, and big red Sid, Tansy the tortie and yellow-eyed Basil all followed him, all dancing through the lovely iced grasses.

Sophie and Tessie stared at a dandelion covered in silver, and Spookey tapped the flower. “Do it again!” ordered tiny Patches, and Spookey’s paw gently descended on the golden bloom.

“It really is so pretty!” said Lucky, and Lady nodded. “Look, Shadow,” called Lady, and little Shadow walked over with the handsome Sox and Blue Basil.

“Like a tiny trapped sun,” whispered Shadow, and Sox and Basil peered more closely at the flower. Little Tabitha crept over to the other cats, and Sox touched her nose with his. “Hi!”

“May I see?” came a soft voice, and they turned to greet Mitzi, a lovely Russian Blue.

The two Jaspers ran past them, one a long wild cat yelling back to the other Jasper, a sweet natured ferret: “Come on!” The two spotted Tigger and Jasper the cat called, “…all of you!”

Tigger turned to Zappo and grinned. “You can just tell that you and I were made to be friends with both those lads!”

Little Baby Harley and Even paced through the snow with Booger the Bold, watching their tracks appear and melt quickly behind them. “I thought the tracks would stay there!” giggled Harley, and Big Buc, Winston and Milo all smiled at him.

They turned to hear a soft, deep laugh. “Don’t you know,” said the Wolf, suddenly appearing, “that the tracks that stay forever are the ones you leave in human hearts?”

Black Lucky, his white chest spot reflecting the snow, admired the scene. His friend Earthquake Sam said, “My boots match the snow,” and Lucky agreed.

Icicles were growing from the Tree, and Casey, Shiva and Missy all leaped for them, the points of ice tapped by sweet paws. Missy’s emerald eyes sparkled as she tasted the melted ice. “It’s good!”

Binky, Cowboy, Squeekers, and Dweeb met at the lavender beds. “Look!” gasped Hopper, who was already there. “What did I tell you?” Julie sniffed the lavender, watching Bunny and Booty as they did the same.

“Nice!” they all agreed.

“And who would think that old pirate would love lavender so much!” asked sweet Bastian. Big Sebastian shrugged and laughed, and Squint grinned, his eyes sparkling with fun in his brown tabby face. Their favorite brindle king, Maverick, nosed the fragrant bed himself. “It does smell good,” admitted the large cat.

“Come over here!” called Nike, her tail waving in excitement. Reebok, Suede and MC ran to her, the group of beautiful Abbies looking down at the catmint beds. “They still have the flowers! And ice on top, too!”

“Can we see?” and Suki, Polly and Hepburn nosed into the group, the black of their different coats contrasting with the snow. “Yes, please,” and Nike stood back happily, giving room for her friends.

Mandy chased Willie across the snow field to the Brook, Bomber and Skimble behind them, chatting about Chester. “I wonder if all those fish are under the ice?” asked Bomber, and Skimbles chuckled. The idea of the sinuous gold fish, gliding silent under their cool ceiling… delightful!

Gizmo flew past Mandy with Rose, Smoky and Stormy hot on his tail. Reggie, Tigger and Bandit joined Bomber and Skimbles at their more sedate pace. “Is the Bridge covered with ice?” asked Tigger. “Let’s find out!” answered Bomber, her mind still curious about the fish.

* * * * *

The Wolf looks out from his knoll at the Tree across the Meadow. All in the Meadow had such a joyful day in the snow, and the giggles and small noises slowly give way to the quiet breathing of tired and happy creatures.

All is calm, all is bright.

He watches, the night sky darkening before his eyes. Stars are coming out and he hears the sound of chimes in the air, high and beautiful, ringing in joy.

The Brook, a silver ribbon beneath the Bridge, lifts up, a luminous ribbon winding like a garland through the branches of the Tree. The Wolf watches as a single star comes from the dark sky, settling on the top.

The garland shimmers for a moment and tiny drops of silver fall on the sleeping creatures beneath its branches.

Memories…warm dreams…fragrances…tastes..all the sweetness of the old life distilled into this new Life…memories of those who were in the Meadow and have gone to the Blessed Realm…Redford…Ginger and her darling Victor…sweet Renee…dear Amy…all these good things descending in silver drops like a blessing…all of them held in a web of love…

The Wolf sighs, and he smiles at the Young Man on the Bridge, heart pounding and bowing his shaggy head.

“Happy Birthday, dear Lord!”

“Merry Christmas, friend Wolf!”

Merry Christmas!