Howard's Story
A cat adopted from the streets, Howard was in poor shape. One ear had
been destroyed by mites, he had a raging infection on his neck which threatened his life. His former owners cast him out for spraying, not realizing that neutering would help. Dying, but still willing to admit the help of humans, he showed up at our door. I set out food, and he became a fixture. When we first let him into our home via the bedroom, he purred and beamed gratitude. A very competent vet mended his most serious wounds, and Howard took up residence on our porch. He healed. One night, a cat wandered by outside, and in confusion Howard mauled our kitten Tiger, and me. I still bear two little fang-marks as scars. Tiger healed, and Howard learned he was safe inside. He entered our house. He lived with three other cats, in various stages of their lives, and kept the peace.. sleeping with us and taking care of us. Howard would cuddle on my chest in bed and fall asleep. He brushed my face to let me know he was grateful. As an alley-cat, he was driven one night to eat the twine-net encasing a pork roast we'd prepared. He had surgery to remove it, but was slow to recover. He was going blind, and weakening by the day. He had developed a strange cat illness, similar to Feline-Immuno-Deficienct-Virus, though he tested negative for it. The last night he was with us, he climbed on my chest and purred, drooling on me as he fell asleep. The next day we let him sleep forever. Howard was the ideal cat. His death only demonstrates that though these animals are powerful in their influence, they are nonetheless quite delicate creatures, whose lives are brief and intense. If you have a problematical cat, I hope you appreciate them. If your cat is soon to join the feline host abroad, I feel for you, but encourage you to find another stray to join your life. BLink |
Brian Link wrote:
If you have a problematical cat, I hope you appreciate them. Jasper wasn't stray...we kinda inherited him. But the fact that he is blind and deaf definitely makes him special. I wouldn't call it problematic though. And after his most recent illness, I realize just how much I love and appreciate him. He rules. Big time. Pam |
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