Franklin, Tennessee, rescuer Megan took in a feral mama cat, Charlotte and her kittens dubbed – what else- the Charlotte’s Web litter. Followers on Megan’s page, Closet Full of Kittens, picked the names, which were purrfect! She and her child had just read the book aloud, she said.
Mama Charlotte, a black-and-white beauty, was not used to being around people.
Mama Charlotte. Images and media via Instagram/closetfullofkittens
But, now, the all-boy kittens and their mama were safe in Megan’s home. Everything seemed ideal, but soon there would be some plot twists!
The Charlotte’s Web Litter:
- Mama Charlotte
- Wilbur, tabby and white
- Homer (Zukerman) – grey and white
Homer and Wilbur
- Lurvy – tabby
- Templeton -tabby
Templeton and Lurvy
“Introducing… the Charlotte’s Web litter! 🕷🐷❤️ I put it to a vote, and y’all picked the Charlotte’s Web names. My 8-year-old and I just finished this book as our bedtime read aloud, so we are very pleased with this choice. 📖🥰”
Charlotte’s Web Story Time
Everything seemed ideal for this cute family. Then, one day, the story went a little awry. Megan caught Homer napping on her legs, and he appeared to be seeing ghosts just in time for Halloween. Did you know cats have REM (rapid eye movement) sleep associated with dreams, just like we do? Well, now you do!
Mama Charlotte Thinks She’s a Spider
Meanwhile, Mama Charlotte, the Spider Cat, decided she wanted to climb down into the ductwork in the floor. Maybe she wanted to hang out with the creepy crawlies? Fortunately, the kitty came back up on her own, but it was a big plot twist for the foster mom. She had to rearrange the kitty room/bathroom to prevent another misadventure.
“I stood there with my mouth wide open and my mind racing for a hot minute. What is the proper procedure when a feral mama cat rips up a vent and crawls into the bowels of one’s home?! As I was contemplating my options, the heat kicked on. In what I can only assume was an attempt not to get roasted, Charlotte backed herself right on out of there like some kind of weird Jack-in-the-box and slinked back into the carrier with her babies.”
Mama Charlotte went down this grate after prying off the metal cover.
Fortunately, Charlotte was back and tending to her spiderlings again. Who knew cats could peel open metal floor grates anyway? It’s a good thing to be aware of if you have a similar fostering room.
Time to Release Charlotte
Not long afterward, it was time to release Mama Charlotte after being spayed. It was a tough decision, and Megan put it so eloquently, comparing it to the wonderful children’s book.
“When we named this group, I knew that the mama would be TNRed. Much like Charlotte from Charlotte’s Web, she gave life to her babies, and then she needed to go. It’s poetic and sad and kind and selfless and circular and so many other things,” she said.
Continuing, Megan shared, “Towards the end of the book, Wilbur asks Charlotte how she is doing, and this is her response:
A little tired, perhaps. But I feel peaceful. Your success in the ring this morning was, to a small degree, my success. Your future is assured. You will live, secure and safe, Wilbur. Nothing can harm you now. These autumn days will shorten and grow cold. The leaves will shake loose from the trees and fall. Christmas will come, and the snows of winter. You will live to enjoy the beauty of the frozen world, for you mean a great deal to Zuckerman and he will not harm you, ever. Winter will pass, the days will lengthen, the ice will melt in the pasture pond. The song sparrow will return and sing, the frogs will awake, the warm wind will blow again. All these sights and sounds and smells will be yours to enjoy, Wilbur—this lovely world, these precious days…”
I think there is so much beauty in that. Godspeed, Charlotte. May you run wild and free and be truly happy. ❤️”
One of the tiny Charlotte’s Web litter, Lurvy.
The Charlotte’s Web Litter Storybook Ending
Soon, Charlotte’s babies were older and ready to skitter away to new homes. First to head off was Wilbur. As it turns out, his new mom is a huge fan of Charlotte’s Web – and this kitten’s little face.
“This is my sweet friend Ginger — aka Wilbur’s new mom! She fell in love with his little face and his name (she has a signed first edition of Charlotte’s Web, and it’s one of her favorite books), and she met him a few times while he was in foster with me and couldn’t resist adopting him. His name is obviously staying Wilbur, and he has two cat siblings (a 7yo and a 22yo!) and two dog siblings as well.”
Wilbur gets adopted by Ginger.
Next, it was a picture-book ending for Homer.
“Homer went home! And he matched his new dad and I’ve never loved anything more. 💛”
Then, Templeton the rat and farmhand Lurvy went to the local adoption center.
Templeton and Lurvy at the Williamson County Animal Center.
All these kitties thrived thanks to Megan’s efforts. It wasn’t an easy year, but she celebrated her strengths and saving each tiny life.
Megan with the Charlotte’s Web Litter.
You can follow Close Full of Kittens on Instagram and the Williamson County Animal Center she volunteers for. (We think this might be the family who adopted Templeton and Lurvy below. Congratulations!)
