Under the Tuscan Sun; the honeymoon, day 5

During the night we had heard this awful noise; some animal in distress, maybe a cat; but we could not be sure. When we got up, the noise was louder and seemed to be coming from outside our front door. I went out to investigate, to find one of the guard dogs looking with interest at the bush beside our steps and that is where the noise seemed to be coming from.



When I looked there was a screaming hissing ball of fur that was in fact one very frightened kitten. And it was terrified of everything, especially the dog. I tried to grab it, but got a swish of its claws for my trouble.



We knew we could not leave it there, and yet we had no food for it. Julie had the thought of maybe some cheese; seemed a long shot, but worth trying. It lapped it up, and with the second lot we put it further from its hiding hole, and as it reached out to eat, I grabbed it and took it inside.

After a few minutes it settled down, had some more cheese, investigated the villa and made itself at home in Julie’s hands. It was so small, maybe six weeks old and pretty helpless. But it has a healthy set of lungs that it could tell us when it wanted anything.

We have called it Lucianno, after Pavarotti; as they both seem to share an almighty set of lungs.
Emy, the owner is trying to find a home to adopt it, until then we are the owners of a wonderful little kitty; and all plans for the day are on hold.

And so we had a quiet day nursing an increasingly confident kitten, feeding it every four hours and running after it as it raised its tail. We all had a siesta in the afternoon, and then went to bed again at ten after a full day of excitement.