Giving Thanks for Cats We Have Loved
Thursday November 27, 2008
Once in awhile I receive an e-mail from someone who doesn't like cats, or has allergies or some other condition that prevents having them. I alway feel sorry for them because of the unique soul-expanding experience they are missing. I'm so grateful to have cats in my life that I can't imagine life without them. I truly believe that if there is a Heaven, it has to include cats.November holds the time set aside in the United States for reflecting on the things in our lives for which we are thankful, and my cats are always pushing at the top of the list. Here, then is my tribute to some special cats I'm thankful to have known, on the occasion of Thanksgiving in the U.S.
Share your own thanks for cats you have loved, by using the form at the end of the linked article.
Photo of Whiskers, Credit: © Franny Syufy
Comments
Growing up our family always had a dog. My Mother was scared of cats, (and birds),and didn’t like them at all. I had a love for all animals and always enjoyed visiting relatives who had cats or birds. There was a pet shop in Chicago called Animal Kingdom,and they had a Tiger that you could buy…it was still legal back then…but mostly they rented out for promotions, but when I seen it I fell in loved with it.
When I moved out on my own, I got a little studio apartment that didn’t allow pets, but a close friend of mine,who I was smitten by, talked me into taking a little kitten that she knew needed a home.
I took him home and named him Shilo. I loved coming home at night and spending the evening with Shilo. He would share my Mac & Cheese for dinner and he loved Taco Bell…(I know, I know, but back then I didn’t know) He was a great pal and he had this one habit of when I would hold him like a baby, with his head on my shoulder, he would nurse on my earlob…it was strange but he loved doing it.
A couple of years later I had to move back in with my Mother, who was alone now. She wouldn’t let me bring Shilo, but I was able to give him to another friend who took great care of him. I would get to visit Shilo every so often.
When I moved to Kentucky and met my wife Melissa, she too didn’t care for cats, but she wasn’t scared of them like my Mom.
I was able to convince her to allow Rhiannon, a stray I found, to stay with us.
That was in 1994. Since then Spunky, a kitten I brought home from work to give Rhiannon a playmate, became Melissa’s pal.
Spunky went to the Rainbow Bridge in March of 2003.I sent Rhiannon to the Rainbow Bridge on 11/10/08.
We still have Simba, Rhiannon’s son,and Nettie, Tiger & Tigger.
My Mother only visited us once since we had our cats. She was amazed at how well behaved they were, and how friendly they were.
I’m glad that Melissa & I have been blessed with the friendship and love of our cats. Eventhough it hurts at time remembering,I hope my memories never fade away.
Peace & Rainbows to all!
we had to sent our beloved tabby tiffy to the rainbowbridge february 6th this year.
She was almost 18 and a great companion in all those years. She is still always with us in our hearts.