'Ne’er shall thy now expiring puss forget
To thy kind care her long-enduring debt,
...
Nay, e’en at founts of cream shall sullen swear,
Since thou, her more loved master, art not there.’
An Old Cat's Dying Soliloquy Anna Seward
Last night, an era of 17 years ended as we said "goodbye" to our tortoise shelled cat Miracle. When she was younger, she was Queen of the Farm and a mighty hunter of rats, weasels, rabbits, and snakes. She was also a huge pain in the butt who seemingly teleported through walls to get into the house where her "too smart for her own good" mind would get her into trouble. Fast as lightning, she stole many meals of chicken in those early days.
She was fascinated and tender with our babies. She never reacted to a pulled tail or yanked ear or a toddler falling on her. As they grew, she would follow our children around the yard or into the woods. She rode on bikes, swung in swings, went down slides, and tolerated a bouncing trampoline to stay close to them. She was dressed up in doll clothes, put on rolling toys, and played with remote control cars. The laser pointer had her climbing furniture and walls trying to capture the ever evasive red dot. She also found a way indoors to spend the night or take naps with "her" children. She loved all of our children so much. If they weren't around, she'd hang out with me as I gardened forcing me to take breaks to give her a good scratch and petting. When Clint worked on the cars, she was either on or under them. When she couldn't be indoors, she'd sit by an open window so she could hear us. She loved staying close to any or all of us.
For the last few years, she had to live indoors. She lost her reign to a younger cat and needed us to protect her from felines, wildlife, and the cold. At first, she was too regal to use the litter box, so she would go to the door and meow impatiently to go out. Even in her last days, she appreciated someone sitting with her on the deck so she could enjoy the sights, sounds, and sunlight. Mostly, she loved to find one of us sitting down and would climb into our warm laps for some tender attention and a a nap.
A few of the things she taught us are:
- Miracles really do happen, hence her name.
- Seven year olds believe prayers will be answered simply because, "I asked Him to do it."
- Guard cats and welcome committees do exist: an unruly new dog 12xs her size got a sudden, sharp, and lingering lesson in who she was and the respect that would be shown to her human family.
- Loyalty comes on four legs too.
- Cats can be trained to leave quail, chicks, and ducklings alone. Even when they escaped a brooder, she just knew they were off limits.
- Cats do not pick just one person, as it is often claimed. They can and do choose a whole family to love.
- A cat can be smart enough to stay hidden in a vehicle for 8 hours until you reach your camping destination and then pop out like "You almost forgot me!"
- Tough young men can tenderly care for an aged old feline.
- When our strength fails, a defiant attitude can carry us further
- A twitching feline tail can be the equivalent of a human eye roll.
- When a furry friend is really, really mad at you, they sit with their back to you.
- Real love does not hold onto anger for long, but it does insist on neck scratches.
- Sunbeams, aka prime napping spots, are always found in a high traffic area.
- Insistent meows make very effective alarm clocks.
- A pool full of water is something at which one can hiss.
- That which is insanely irritating can become loved and cherished with time.
- No matter how much we wish for different, all good things do come to an end.
- A tired 50 year old man will sleep in a weird position all night so the old cat with aching joints can get a good rest while laying on him.
- The right thing to do can be the hardest thing to do.
She was such an aggravating pest in those early years! She got into trash cans, stole food, hid inside to wake us up in the middle of the night when she wanted to go out, climbed the screens, etc. You know, I'd go through it all again just to get those last few years with her. I miss her already. We all will for a long time.
Miracle gave our family 17 years of enjoyment. She watched our children grow up. She was the pet that knew them all and loved them all. I believe God has a plan for our pets because of what I read of His tenderness and attention towards us and His creatures in Scripture. I believe we may see them again. Maybe the rest of the Asbell children are enjoying her now?
Thank you, Lord, for the love, joy, laughter, and memories Miracle brought to our family. She was an incredible gift even if I did not see it right away. That fire inside of her got her into so much trouble, but it carried her very well in the end. What a strong will and determined spirit she had! I so am thankful, that 17 years ago, you answered my weary prayer to spare that broken kitten and worked that miracle right in front of my and my children's eyes. Thank you too for allowing me to see my children, in the middle of their very busy days, stop and tend to their old friend's needs so patiently and tenderly.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17
