As I stand in the kitchen waiting for my tea water to boil, I let my mind wander back to my childhood. I was the kid who fed stray animals. I was also that kid who brought home stay kids.
I can recall a cat showing up at our house once. My bedroom was in the basement that had a patio door. My mother specifically told me not to feed the cat.
But I did anyway.
Each night I would put out a bowl of water and a pile of dog food. (We had no cat food so I figured dog food would suffice. I broke it up into small pieces. I would have put out tuna fish but I knew my mom would notice that.)
Eventually my mom found out I was feeding the cat and became quite upset with me. She packed up the cat, put it in a cardboard box, and with me in the passenger seat, set out to the country to let it go in a field. I was horrified and resisted her decision. She was equally as resistant telling me the cat would find a home at a farm somewhere.
How do you know? I asked. We can’t just let it go and assume that. We have to find a farm and talk to the people and ask.
She insisted she just knew ~ that’s what cats are drawn to do. She again asked why I fed the cat.
I remember being stumped at the question. Because it’s the right thing to do, I thought. Instead I chose to ignore her. My parents, heck my entire family never did understand much less appreciate my idealism. TAS (teenage angst syndrome). [wp-svg-icons icon=”cool” wrap=”i”]
Today I would say: That’s what love does.
I received the same sort of grilling when I brought home a friend of mine from high school who had run away from home. I felt it was the right thing to do and was completely willing to share my bedroom. Thankfully for my friend though her parents wanted her back and things got worked out. My dad asked why I brought her home.
It was the right thing to do was all I could think of.
I gave the same response when I brought home yet another friend a few years later who had been kicked out of her house. My parents were very generous this time, letting my friend (who had a job) stay at our house in the basement until she found another place to live. I appreciated that.
I continued to draw the unwanted animals into my life. After I left college, I began drawing children into my life. The neglected children found their way to me. I had more than one child over the years tell me they wish I were their mama. Each time if I had another adult ask me why I spent so much time with these kids my answer was simple ~ it was the right thing to do.
I couldn’t imagine NOT making such a choice.
When I met my current mate some 20 years ago, we began drawing unwanted or lost animals into our life. It became a running joke when it would happen. Again?? we would ask while laughing. Every year one of these dogs or cats would just show up at our house. Reggie the dog. Charlie the cat (actually there were 2 Charlie’s). Our favorite was a kitty named Luna. Abandoned by a college student. Oh, she was the sweetest cat. A total snuggle bunny. Gentle. Perfect size. We had a dog at the time and Luna made it clear to our dog, in a very gentle way, that she was here to stay for now and our dog would simply have to accept that fact. We even have a picture of Luna making her way into our backyard for the first time, scaled atop a fence, one little paw reached out to gently tap our dog on the nose.
Our dog, the chaser of cats, submitted easily, much to our surprise and relief. The two became good friends.
Well, at least they tolerated one another and grew accustomed to sharing meal time together.
It turns out both of us were allergic to Luna ~ my mate in particular ~ so having her inside at night roaming the house was not possible. We had a place for her outside to sleep but she was an indoor baby and she would meow at night wanting to be let in. This was doable during the late summer/early fall days. However, the rains were coming. I had been trying desperately to find her a home to no avail. Surrendering her to the local animal shelter was not an option ~ it was a shelter that euthanized at times and we had already had a horrible experience doing that a few years prior with the place (being told they would contact us if no one wanted the stray cat we brought in ~ and they didn’t do that. We found out after the fact they had euthanized the cat. We were devastated and furious at the same time.)
Back to Luna.
I remember the first night it rained. She made it clear how upset she was. The guilt I felt ripped me up ~ my mate too. I remember checking on her, seeing her atop of our fence (her favorite spot) meowing repeatedly, giving us this look that made us feel horrible. “We have to do something,” my mate said.
“I know,” I said sadly.
I prayed with all I had to the Universe that night, pleading that her forever home would show up for if not we would have to bring her in and keep her kenneled in the living room. It was simply getting too cold.
The next morning I received a call about one of my numerous ads I had placed. An older couple wanted to come see her. I eagerly agreed to let them visit.
Well, it was love at first sight, especially for the man and Luna. She jumped into his lap, looked at me and told me this was the family she had been waiting for. We were just the catalyst to bring them together. It was a magical experience.
It was a very tearful good-bye. Lots of “make sure you do this. She LOVES that.” Pictures were sent over the next few years. Luna had what she wanted ~ two adults who loved her to pieces (and weren’t allergic), lots of toys, kitty climber’s and daily lap cuddles.
I remember at the time a neighbor asked why we were taking care of (yet another) cat. There are so many in our community that are feral ~ often due to neglect.
It’s the right thing to do, I said. Aloud.
Without hesitation.
Because that’s what love does.
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Victoria
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