This Monday morning my 17 year old daughter came running inside to tell me she thought Smoky was in the road. Smoky, a 2 year old male cat that her boyfriend had given to her. We have been very fortunate over the past 10 years to have not lost any animals on the road. Until this morning. Traffic was really bad because of school starting. Here I am standing along side the road, with a big white snow shovel and right across from me a large gray furry thing, not moving. Thank goodness he was off to the side a bit and not being run over. I was waiting for a break in traffic in order to cross and get him. It couln't have been hard to figure out what I was doing there. I was crying and I finally found a break in traffic to get across. I was angered by the rudeness of some people as they passed by, blowing there horns or yelling, etc. I thought then "can they not see what I am doing, does no one have any compassion?" I knew that it was dangerous to be along side of the road but I had to get Smoky. Finally I saw a car slowing and he motioned for me. I thanked him through red swollen tear filled eyes. He stopped the traffic so I could get him and go back across the road. I thanked him and forgot about all the other inconsiderate motorists and even the ones that were still honking and yelling. It takes only one to make a difference.
My daughter was sitting on the hood of her car weeping. We went back to set on the porch in the sun. All of our other animals gathered round as they knew something was wrong. My male dog, Chief, was nudging smoky as if he was saying "wake up buddy, let's play" We cried for almost an hour. I then went to get the shovel and started digging a hole where Amanda wanted to bury him. She wanted to bury him in the catnip where he would lay during the day in the sun. It is where my herb garden is. Good choice, I told her. She and I took turns with the shovel and finally got it ready to lay him in. She went and got his little sweater and wanted to bury it with him. We are going to make a garden stone with his name on it.
It is amazing how some people who have not lost the compassion of life who truly say "I'm sorry for your loss" and then there are the others who say...it was just a cat, or just a pet...
God made animals before he made us. He made us to take care of them and his earth. I love my animals with all my heart and treat them with love and kindness. If I could afford a habitat of all animals I am sure I would do it. I would rather be around animals than most people.
My animals are an extension of my family! and today I grieve the loss of a great cat and friend.
