The circle of life

If my kids learn one thing by living in Mali, it is that there is truly a circle of life. They understand that mommy and daddy work at a hospital trying to save the lives of children and that sometimes we don't. They know several of our chronic patients by name. They also see babies everywhere. Women with babies, donkeys with babies, sheep and their babies. Baby chickens, puppies, kittens, etc. Babies everywhere.

The other week was such an example of the circle of life displayed in our home. Monday morning our night guard met me at the door to say that the cat had gotten one of our bunnies. Since we had only thought there were 4 but we had then found 5 I thought I could get away with this mishap and chose to let it go and not mention it to the boys. This would not last, though, because as the boys were studying french with their tutor on Tuesday, Dawson comes running into the house with a look of panic and fear on his face. "Mommy, I think Purr just ate Mittens." (Purr being our older cat, Mittens the new kitten). I went outside with him, assured Purr wouldn't do such a thing only to find Purr holding onto a headless white animal. I realized it was one of our new bunnies. Somehow that is better. At least he didn't eat his own kind. We found Mittens in the corner eating the ear of the bunny. At least Purr had shared. We tried to get Purr to drop the headless body but he refused. French was halted as we all ran around the yard with sticks trying to lure Purr away from the rabbit to which he made this growling/hissing noise to let us know he meant business. Finally, somehow, he let go of the bunny. We scooped it up and put it in a bag and threw it on the trash pile outside. And then French continued.

Thursday during french Cady, the cat we were keeping for friends while they were in the US and who happens to be the sister of Purr, started to go into labor (Purr is also the father. I don't expect great things from these kittens). Cady attached to me from the moment I got home that day and had a look of panic on her face, if a cat can express that. As I rubbed her belly I saw evidence that labor was imminent. Since I was on my bed at the time I quickly rushed her to a box I had prepared. She ran out. The boys somehow communicated the events to their teacher who then joined us in the house to help get Cady contained into the bathroom. We got her settled and then the boys returned outside to finish their french. One day there is interruption due to animal murder, the next because of new life.

I happened to be with Cady when she delivered the first two. What a neat experience. I missed three and four come out. She took care of the third and left the fourth. I saw him take his last breath. Then awhile later she had a fifth whom she didn't even clean or remove the amniotic sac from his head. I don't know if she was just puckered out or knew those two wouldn't make it, after all, their parents are brother and sister. :)

Overall, she did very well. Amazing how they instinctively know how to clean and take care of their babies. Really is a miracle. The three little ones are doing well. Their eyes are now open and they are starting to move around.

After a week like that I think I should burst forth in song with Simba from the Lion King, "It's the circle, the circle of life!!"