This past June three cats were dumped off on my street. The first one that I met was a beautiful calico cat. She endeared me and my neighbor who had just lost her husband in May. My neighbor started feeding her and to my delight took her into her home. That was a total surprise as she was definetly not a cat person. Right down to, "I am allergic to cats and I must wash my hands if I touch one." We took the cat to my vet and found out that she had been spayed. She is now living the good life in my neighbor's home. To me that cat was divine intervention for my neighbor. She needed that cat to come home to and take care of after the loss of her husband.
Well, that leaves the other two cats that were dropped off. They were two black and white tuxedo cats. They started hanging around between my house and my neighbors {obviously missing one of their siblings}.
Well,what and I supposed to do? I have two older dogs and an even older cat. I have vowed that my" tubes are tied " for any more animals in my life or in my home. I also realized that those cats were starving. I, being a softy, started to feed them. Of course, they showed up morning and night for food. One was really dear to me as she was so sweet and reminded me of the sweet cat that I had lost recently at thirteen years due to diabetes. The only problem was that as a result of feeding them and our living near the woods raccoons appeared, and I feared for the cats' safety. I was scared for them but try as I might I could not accept them into my home.
I finally had to accept the fact that I could do the best I could by feeding and loving them as best I could from a distance. I realized that they could survive with my providing for them -- just by feeding them out my back door. I would try to find homes for them, but who wants a cat? Nobody.
I just think that this brings to mind how we treat the people that we meet that are in need. I will feed them from a distance but will not get too close to them because we already have our "tubes tied" and have no more room in our heart for those that need help . They may have their raccoons that show up and make them run and are also scared for their lives.. We think we are doing enough if we feed them physically but those two cats are still scared to death living outside in the elements. They trust me a little but run at the slightest noise. Trust ,when you are hungry, is not gained by being feed physically. It is only gained by being shown love right where you are. A person in need can do their best, but if the raccoons show up then you have to run. I just have to hope the raccoons do not overcome my trying to take care of them from a distance. Who will win? I do not know. It will be cold this winter. The sad part is , will I worry more about those two cats or the unwanted humans that will be out there in the cold too? Most likely both, but sad to say, it will be from a distance. Guess I have learned a good lesson from those cats. Anybody want a cat?
Jean Ramsey
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