Mrs. Miller’s voice trembled with her trademark dramatic flair. “Your cat has been taking puppies,” she announced, eyes wide with a mix of shock and disbelief.
“Puppies?” I echoed, barely able to believe what I was hearing.
The officer nodded, his expression softening as he took in my confusion. “Yes, ma’am. A kennel just two blocks away reported several missing puppies over the past few days. It seems your cat, Marsa, has been… adopting them.”
My mind raced. Marsa, my gentle tabby, had somehow become a surrogate mother to a litter of puppies. The idea was both magical and bewildering. I’d heard of animals nurturing across species, but I never imagined experiencing it firsthand.
“I… I don’t know what to say,” I murmured. “Marsa’s always been nurturing, but this…”
Mrs. Miller softened slightly, curiosity replacing her initial alarm. “It’s unusual, yes, but the puppies are healthy, aren’t they?”
I nodded. “Yes, she’s caring for them as if they were her own.”
The officer exchanged a glance with Mrs. Miller, a small smile appearing. “It’s certainly extraordinary. As long as they’re safe, there’s no immediate harm. But we do need to return them to their rightful owner.”
A pang of sadness hit me at the thought of separating Marsa from her newfound charges. Still, I understood. “Of course,” I said, trying to mask my reluctance. “I’ll get them ready.”
As I led them into the living room, Marsa lifted her head, narrowing her eyes at the strangers. I crouched beside the basket, gently stroking her. “It’s okay, Marsa,” I whispered.
The moment felt charged with tension, leaving me wondering how she would react when the puppies were finally taken…
