Accident Turns to Happy Ending

"Quit choking me, Rocky!" says Jolly
 

When a accident led to my having my cat Jolly put to sleep, I felt like a murderer. At the time, it seemed like our only option. But after Jolly no longer filled our halls and hearts with his ornery ways, I kicked myself for not deliberating more, for not fighting to save him.

 

All you pet lovers know the jagged ache that I still experience every time I think of Jolly, and the longing I feel to embrace his silly little black and white self once again.

 

Enter my artist—translate: kind and sensitive—son, who listened with patient compassion as I choked out my grief the day Jolly died. Then he said, simple and nourishing as a bowl of milk, “You need another baby kitty, Mom.”

I sighed, wiping huge tears from my face. “Do you really think so, son?”

“Of course—baby kitties solve everything.”

Although his philosophy on life may seem a bit simplistic, I did think and pray about his advice. And decided to go with it. Lord knows beating myself up over Jolly’s demise wasn’t helping my broken soul mend.

Pokey is all white except for a calico head and tail
 and a couple of "dots" on her back

On the way to adopt my new fur baby, I had my mind set on a male kitten, whom I’ve found more affectionate than females. But this little lady, with her unique coloring and spunky ways, stole my heart and kept it. With the help of our granddaughter, we named the baby Poka-dot, and call her Pokey for short.

Pokey spent her first night in our bed snuggled between us, purring herself to sleep. I’m not sure my husband was too wild with that arrangement, but I didn’t ask him.

I will always miss Jolly. I believe he’s waiting for me in heaven. And I’m certain he forgives me for my stupid decision. But until I can see and hold him again, Pokey turns a tragic accident into a happy ending.

Have you ever had to put a pet to sleep? How long did it take you to get over it?

How to Talk to Your Pet



The baby, Jolly, and his elder brohter, 20-lb. Rocky

If you have pets, you know how fun and enlightening a conversation with them can be.

My twenty-pound, orange and white cat, Rocky clambers onto the loveseat while I’m reading. His nose nudges my hand. “Meowrrr?” he says.

“What’s that, Rocky?”

“Meowrrr?” he says again. He probably thinks I should have listened the first time, and then he wouldn’t need to repeat himself.

I force my gaze from the book to scratch his head. His amber eyes glisten with joy. I once read in a mini-paperback while waiting at the checkout counter that cats hear high tones better than low ones.

I want to make sure Rocky knows I care, so I raise my voice three notches.  “What’s goin’ on today?” I squeak.

“Meow,” he says, closing his eyes. Is he disgusted at my Minnie Mouse talk, or in kitty heaven?

 Just to make sure, I switch to baby talk. “Tell me all about it, Rocks. I know you understand these things.”  

He purrs, and arches his back. Good—it’s kitty heaven. “Meow,” he answers.

“That’s wonderful,” I chirp, “I’m so glad to hear it.” I return to my book, still petting him in an absent-minded fashion. “You are so wise. You amaze me every time we talk.”

 

Dog owners tell me that words are unnecessary—their canine pets can read moods and communicate with their eyes and body language. The owner of a pot-bellied pig used in therapy claims the little porker can help patients overcome depression. The day of my brother’s funeral, my uncle’s talking macaw gave me a huge release from my grief by making me laugh.

I might one day consider owning these other types of pets. But I’d hate to lose that unique ability to communicate with my cats in their own language.

What About YOU? What Makes it Fun?

Every Monday I ask a question, to get to know YOU better. Ready for today’s? What do you do for fun?






Besides writing, I love to watch old black and white movies with my DH, play games with my grandkids, and learn new words. I also enjoy eating ice cream from a goblet and cuddling rascally cats, four of whom call me “Mama.”

It may sound like “meow” to you, but I know it’s “Mama.”







Your turn…