We never really intended to have pets at the Peace House. I think it's safe to say that it was an accident- or that we were chosen. Once upon a time a wily neighborhood cat deposited a litter of kittens in our yard. And of course, being kind and loving souls, past residents attempted to feed and find the kittens good homes. Despite all good intentions, we were left with three un-give-away-able female cats. Later, during discussions of how to proceed (sterilization? hormone injections? carting them off the Caracol with a mice infestation?) two of the cats managed to get themselves pregnant.

Now what?!? Luckily, we met a kind, local veterinarian who was willing give away the future kittens from his office, and give us a good deal on the remaining cats eventual surgeries. So, nothing to do but sit back and watch our cats balloon in size. And as their bellies grew, so did their appetites. I would like to share a few creative Peace House recipes for feeding picky, pregnant kitties on a budget.

The secret ingredient to the low cost kitty diet program has to be soya, textured vegetable protein, better known as styrofoam-y chunks of beige. At 10 pesos per kilo (less than a dollar for 2 pounds) it is far cheaper than Whiskas, and who knows, probably healthier. We eat it as a yummy treat that is high in protein, but the kitties have to be tricked. Soaking soya in milk, mixing it with tuna, cooked egg or cutting it with regular cat food are popular strategies. They are finicky cats, however, and still manage eat all the good parts and leave the plain soya behind. In a bowl full of an equal mix of cat food and soya they will miraculously and painstakingly manage to pick around the individual chunks of soya and only consume the cat food. Or, as in a special display of disdain for soya a few weeks ago, they will appear to pick up handfuls of soya in their kitty paws and throw it around the room.

We're not so cruel as to continue forcing specially prepared soya dishes upon them, which they obviously abhor, but it does give one pause when the semi-feral, outdoor cats of Mexico turn down what we would happily eat for dinner. I'm pleased to announce that one of the cats just had her litter of four healthy, squirming, rat-like creatures behind the lilies in the garden. The other is still bumping around with the grace of a tank but we expect more young ones any day now.