(Post #37) The Unexpected Turn of Miss Kitty (and My Life)

My North Saanich chapter is coming to a close soon, but I still have two more luxurious house and pet-sitting gigs lined up to wrap up the year in style (Nov/Dec). One's in a dreamy condo in Greater Victoria with sweeping views of James Bay—I might need to remind myself it's not a vacation. The other is in stunning Cadboro Bay, perched near the southern tip of Vancouver Island, where I'll be staying in a jaw-dropping, three-level modern beachfront home. I think I’ll have to pinch myself to remember I’m there to watch their pet, not just the sunsets!

Martha and Darren will soon return from Italy, regaling me with their travel stories (and probably rubbing in all that gelato they had without me!). While they've been soaking in la dolce vita, I've been here, quietly discovering a new rhythm in their tranquil home. The funny thing? I wasn’t just looking after their shy and skeptical cat, Miss Kitty—I was also learning some things about myself.

You may recall that when I first arrived, Miss Kitty eyed me with suspicion, as if I was some sort of cat burglar rather than her temporary caretaker. She’d skulk around, eyeing me like I might steal her spot on the couch—or worse, ask her to cuddle. The challenge was accepted! Day after day, I slowly inched closer, my soothing voice and gentle gestures finally breaking down her defenses. And wouldn't you know it, Miss Kitty finally let me in, purring like I was her long-lost human. It was a personal victory. If I could win over this cat, surely, I could conquer anything, right?

Meanwhile, I kept the house running like a well-oiled machine and did more than I was asked. Feeding the birds, watering their jungle of indoor plants, and tackling an impressive list of outdoor chores—all without an ounce of stress. In fact, I found it relaxing. There’s something about pulling weeds and cleaning gutters that gave me a surprising sense of peace, like Mother Nature herself was patting me on the back. It was during this peaceful time that I started reflecting on my life, my nomadic lifestyle, and—believe it or not—that blind date that had recently caught me completely off guard. But sometimes life throws you a curveball when you're least expecting it. 

Graeme and I went on our second date, this time in a more fitting setting: dinner and a movie in Sidney, my neighbourhood. We had hoped to walk the seawall and explore the beautiful areas like the pier, but thanks to a torrential downpour, we took our time with the meal instead, sharing stories, laughs, and maybe a little more wine than necessary. We decided not to go to Salt Spring the following day, as planed, because the wind and rain continued. 

As for Martha and Darren, I'm looking forward to their return. While I’ll hand over the reins to their lovely home and continue my house/pet sitting until I leave BC for Costa Rica for Christmas, I'll have to say goodbye to Graeme when he boards his flight to Malaysia this week. But how wonderful it is to know we will keep in touch. Maybe Malaysia holds the key to an even bigger adventure.

All I know is that, just like Miss Kitty, I’ve found myself unexpectedly letting something new and wonderful into my life.

Next: Post 38 From Purrs to Paws: A Farewell to Miss Kitty and a Hello to Niki

Miss Kitty's Look Before We Bonded

Miss Kitty's Look After We Bonded

Weeding; My Pride and Joy

Tomatoes picked from the Garden