owned a cat years ago; she lived to be 19.
Carol was my childhood cat and I adored her. She was a
Maine Coon cat and she was beautiful. Carol was going to be a hard act to
follow, but maybe if I gave another cat a chance, I’d find my perfect
pet.
I roamed through the rooms at the “Scratching Post”, a
place cats can call home at Caring For Creatures. There were many cats to
choose from, but one in particular climbed into my arms from the place
where he perched. I later learned that this cat had climbed into several
people’s arms, but I didn’t know that at the time, and I assumed that
he was adopting me because I was special (I like thinking that animals
find me to be special, it is very satisfying). By the time I connected
with “Sparkler”, it really didn’t matter that he was FIV positive;
he was coming home. The decision on Sparkler’s part was pretty
straightforward, “You’re looking to adopt a cat, and I’m a cat.”
That’s pretty much how Sparkler thinks.
Yes, I said that Sparkler is FIV positive. He is healthy
now; no one can know what the future will bring. But I live with a cat,
not a disease. I live with love and a big cat personality. His disease
today is not a disability. If it becomes so, I will relish the opportunity
to give care and veterinary attention to my beloved friend.
I wondered how Sparkler would do with my (then) 4 dogs (I
now have 8). Not a problem. Sparkler moved in and took over the house. The
dogs respect Sparkler, and Sparkler is not about to be intimated. Everyone
gets along well. Sparkler sleeps with the dogs, plays with the dogs, and
chooses to eat when the dogs eat. If one of the dogs has taken ill,
Sparkler becomes “nurse Sparkler” and does regular checks on the dog
throughout the day and night. You see, they’re family.
Sparkler takes care of the house: checks to make sure that
no field mice move in, nibbles on his kitty herbs, and rests between bouts
of jumping and play. Sparkler will seek me out. I mean something to him,
as does my attention. Sparkler is very purposeful; when he meows, you know
he has something to say.
Now a dog might be woman’s best friend, but a cat makes
himself available 24/7. That is, in the middle of the night when I can’t
sleep, or I’m fretting over something, Sparkler is awake and available
for consultation. He doesn’t mind and is very good at soothing my soul.
That’s his specialty.
In bed at night or during nap times, Sparkler cuddles up
next to me. If I’m awake, he gets petted. If I’m asleep, he is content
just to have his body next to mine.
To my mind the cost of caring for Sparkler: food, kitty
litter, etc., is minimal, but the love that Sparkler gives is priceless.
HOSPICE