If you don’t have pets, then you won’t truly understand where I’m coming from. Feeling like a furry animal is a part of your family or, further, is one of your children sounds just plain silly if you have never bonded with a pet of your own.
About 4 years ago, I lost my beloved kitty, “Sweetie.” She was a beautiful long-haired Calico. I adopted her when she was around a year old and I was single, living by myself in an apartment. She was more than my companion, she was my first child.
She was a trooper adjusting to several moves from one apartment to another. Then to a home, a husband and a big black lab mix named, Misty. She wasn’t sure about Misty at all, but she put up with her. A few years later, she got an even bigger adjustment: we had our first child. Then three years later, our daughter arrived. A house with babies and toddlers wasn’t her cup of tea, yet she was patient, forgiving and gentle. When they were too noisy or aggressive, she simply went her own way and let them be.
She was an indoor/outdoor cat and one night, she never came home. We roamed the neighborhood and called animal shelters and animal control. Animal control told us several animals had been killed by coyotes in our area and they were afraid that may have been her fate. Although that was hard to accept, she was 16 years old, lived a good life and I knew in my heart that she would have never been happy had she lived indoors alone. I could not regret letting her have freedom to roam outdoors.
We went a few years without a cat, but I always missed having a feline companion. We adopted a nice little tabby cat (who is still a part of our family), but the bond wasn’t the same.
Then, we found this little cutie at the Humane Society (BTW, all of our animals are shelter animals…you can read their stories here.).
I know it sounds crazy, but I feel like my beloved Sweetie brought her to us. She reminds me so much of Sweetie in so many ways, but yet she is distinctly herself.
I have bonded with this little cat and love her like one of my own children.
Yesterday, the weather was beautiful here. I went out on the front porch to plant a couple of flowers in a pot and when she saw me, she instantly came to me and kept me company. She rubbed up against me and purred and butted my hand with her head to get my attention.
A little later, I saw her lying in the grass under the shade of a tree. I went to take her picture and she immediately came over to get some more love.
It was such a nice time with her – just the two of us enjoying the weather and spending a little quality time together.
So, today, I am grateful to have a sweet little feline companion. One that reminds me why pets are such a nice part of our lives and how much joy and peace they can bring.
What are you thankful for today?
I hope you take a little time to just enjoy your day and be present in the moment.
#31daysofgratitude
I am thankful my youngest grandson received 1 of 10 plaques for the fourth grade. He received a metal for excellence in the four subjects tested; math, science, language, and reading. Outstanding young man. There were about 120 fourth graders tested!!! He’s my boy!!!
I’m not a big cat person, but I do love my dog(s)! What you describe is exactly how I felt about my previous dog, Sadie. I’d had her from the moment she first drew breath. She was literally the love of my pet life. She was 15 yrs old when she passed (in my arms on the way to an emergency vet office.) It gave me great comfort that mine was the last voice she heard. I’ve since had two more four-legged children, and while I love them both dearly (my ex-husband took one when we split and then he gave her to his sister. I know she is well loved and cared for there, therefore I have not fought to get her back) the bond I had with my Sadie was something “more.”
There is a special place in heaven for people that rescue animals. We have two rescued dogs and two rescued cats. Our cats are NEVER allowed outside because we have a very busy street behind us. Our animals are wonderful and I am so happy you have a new pal.
Oh what a cutie!…and yes, I think your Sweetie sent her to you!
Julie,
I am so enjoying your gratitude entries. I too used to keep a gratitude journal. I am happy you brought that back to me. Our beloved bunny passed away right after Easter. She was an indoor bunny and was our little one for four years. She was our child as we were not able to have children. We will get another after we recover from losing Pippin. Who knew bunnies had personalities! Thank you again for your thoughtful posts.
Blessings
She is beautiful, very striking…and seems to enjoy flowers!
Hi Julie! I think there are many of us that feel the same way. I rescued our Lucy about a year ago (she was fully grown) and I have to say, she has left off where my Misty did. Your kit-kat is beautiful!
Julie, that’s just what happened to our last cat, Fluffy. One morning Paul let him out around 5 in the morning and he never came back. We were devastated. Our current cat, Sophie, lives indoors only. There’s definitely a downside to that but at least she’s safe. I’m so glad you have a sweet cat to love now. I often think that people who think they don’t like cats have just never known a great one.
I LOVE cats and dogs, I have two of each who all get along. BUT prior to all of these guys, We had a cat named Bosco for almost nineteen years. He was beautiful, he was my boy, he loved us and we adored him. There will probably never be another like him. I miss him every day. I get it!!