Seventeen years ago I asked God for joy. He sent me kittens!
I discovered them the day my beloved shaggy dog ran back and forth, hair flying, and face grinning, between the spare bedroom and the living room where I sat reading. She completed several frantic laps before I understood she wanted me to follow. By the time I reached the bedroom door, she was down on her front legs, head and shoulders under the bed, with only her wagging black tail sticking out behind.
What the heck!
I knelt down to look.
Newborn kittens.
I did a double take. I didn’t even know the mama cat was pregnant! I had recently rescued her from a university campus after she had been abandoned by college students returning home for the summer. Winnie was barely out of the kitten stage, with every rib and backbone visible. I thought her distended stomach had been caused by severe malnutrition! My dog and I looked back and forth from each other to the baby cats. Our tails wagged and our noses were wet!
The “boys” have been with me ever since. Heaven on Earth is walking with my feline friends in the yard between showers on a spring day. They run, play, smell and spray, and follow me everywhere. Delightful! My cats have always been a beloved part of my family, just ask my husband. He knew when he proposed several years ago that I came with baggage in the form of cat carriers. He moved us to his mountaintop and none of us have ever looked back.
Spending so much time with my cats since retirement has allowed me to witness the subtle differences in their personalities; favorite stretching positions, give and take of alpha status, preferred cuddle times, and the deepness of looking into their enormous, green eyes. I’ve grown to love their individual traits. But I still wonder if they possess a comforting capacity that helps in healing.
Every time my stomach hurts the black alpha curls next to my abdomen and the pain stops. This is not Billy’s usual position. Usually he sits on my lap, extending his body up to my chin where he gets smooches and nose rubs and purrs himself to sleep in my arms. I’m curious if it’s his warmth that eases my pain. Does he know that he stops my aching?
Once I returned home from a chemo treatment with my arm on fire. No amount of massaging made it better. Billy jumped on my lap to smell my arm. He ran his nose from wrist to elbow. Satisfied, he then laid his body over the excruciating area and within seconds the pain disappeared. Billy stayed there for half an hour. This is something he had never done before. Could he smell the chemo drugs in my veins?
Johnny, the white cat, comes when I’m emotionally upset. He is the definition of “scaredy cat,” being typically nervous. Even when he wants petting, he stays for only a few minutes. Yet, when I am crying, inwardly or outwardly, he jumps on my lap to purr until my dark mood disappears. I ask myself why he chooses painful times to stay.
Tabers, the golden-belly tabby, usually a momma’s boy, has retained his cat-attitude, “Whatever.” He doesn’t seem to be engaged in my healing, but continues to bring me joy by sprawling into his favorite upside-down sleep positions.
Healers or not, all three of my furry friends improve the quality of my life. During this time I am grateful to have them by my side, in my lap, and on my arm! I wish they could join me during chemotherapy appointments. Chemo treatments make me too sick and nauseous to eat until a day before my next infusion. Thank goodness for scrambled eggs and popcorn!
The above is an except from my current manuscript, describing a time in which I was undergoing treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer. Johnny, the white cat, died in January of last year. I was blessed to have been with him through his transition. Billy, the black cat and Tabers the tabby still reside here and terrorize my lizards.
I would love to hear your stories about the healing power of animals. Have you had any personal experience or have heard about someone who has? I invite you to share in the comment section below (by clicking on the word “comment”) I think animals are capable of more than we give them credit for!
But why stop there? I’d love to hear some stories about humans healing animals, too. Maybe we could put all of these stories into a book It’s time we have a book that goes two ways. If you know anyone else who has a story to tell, please share this offer with them. Together we can come up with a book worth publishing!
Thank you for reading. If you’d like to receive notification of future posts, I invite you to subscribe. Your email is not shared or made public.
Beautiful story. My 2 puppies have become more attentive in the past few months since my diagnosis and surgery. They definitely sense when something is not right.
Gayle, animals are definitely more capable then we give them credit for!!!!
I suppose if anyone could give lots of love, it would be a puppy! Thank goodness they have you in their life right now. You could use some comforting!
I totally agree with your cat-thoughts. I think our pet dogs and cats provide a lot of healing, and intuitive powers. My new German Shepherd, Bruno, has taken to coming over and putting his big ol’ head on my lap, often at times, when he senses I thinking too much! Wonderful distraction he is, and I so appreciate his checking in with me and sending my thoughts off in a positive direction! Now Rufus, the cat, well…he is just a bit more selfish with his needs over mine, but all the same, very purrrrrfect in his relentless search for a warm lap.
I have yet to meet your Bruno, but now that I know he takes good care of you, I can’t wait!
Hi Gayle. I enjoyed your post. Such sweet cats.
When our Mom was in the hospital with cancer we snuck her little dog Gracie into her room and under the covers with Mom. She stayed there quietly all day long. None of the nurses knew. We met the Dr. on the way out that evening. He saw Gracie. He was delighted. He thinks animals can be a great comfort to their people when they are suffering. It sure made Mom happy to have her little girl with her.
Our little dogs have always been our little nurses. No matter how long we are sick, they will stay by our sides. Just being there. It’s nice.
Take Care Gayle. I look forward to your next post. Love Carol
Hi Carol. I hadn’t heard about you sneaking Gracie in to see your mom. What an appropriate name for a healer dog. I would love to seen my cats while in the hospital, but they wouldn’t have loved to see the hospital, or car for that matter! (I loved your mother, too.)
I was having myself a good cry over finding out some bad news about a family member and was standing near the bed as my husband gave me a hug. Our Buddy dog jumped up on the bed, put one paw on my husband’s shoulder and the other paw on my shoulder and licked the tears off my cheek. This compassionate act by our dear dog was so comforting. What a blessing he was to us…miss him so…
Beautiful sharing. I suspect your little friend is still looking over you!
I love this post, Gayle. We adopted two kittens last year, and they’re a total joy. As I was reading your post, Fuggles, our black kitty, jumped up on my lap to join me. His litter mate is Chinook, a Siamese. Both my husband and I grew up with cats, but haven’t had one in years. They’re such a precious part of our family, and we feel so blessed to have them in our home.
Hi Canda. I grew up with cats, too. I went for a long period without one in my adult years I finally bought a stuffed cat! It wasn’t enough, however. I wanted one that shred the furniture and pooped on the bathroom rug. 🙂
billy…. sweet…. yes! and not only do animals heal the pain, they sense our love of life itself and go about practically extinguishing that which interferes- when i was out of surgery and had to act momentarily delicate about my missing pieces/ realigning new self- my dog pounced on me and wanted me to play with him and run about as always- he was relentless, the more i hid in a fetal position beneath the covers, the more he acted alpha about it all- at one point standing on my head/ shoulders while licking my face. AHHHHH!!!! i had no choice but to pet him. which led to kissing his little head. which led to smiling… which led to a round of sock biting and chase-; for me, the tailor made Rx- a reminder i’m never too fragile to play, never too tired for love. kisses to them feline honeys… i miss you gayle!!! oxox (and all this is in lower case cuz i am holding my pup and cant hit the shift button)
Hope that includes smooches on his forehead! Nothing like Puppy Love! I miss you, too….Think about every day.
Have you been sneaking around OUR house? LOL. We have had the same situation with our black cat, Shadow. There have been days when Gordon has been hurting in different places, and Shadow crawls right up on where it hurts. In about half-an-hour, the pain lets up. Maybe it’s their warmth, but I can’t explain how they find the spot so exactly. Oh! I know! They just perform a CAT-scan! After all, nobody calls it a C-T-scan, now do they?
They are soooo amazing! And just try being gone for a couple of months (like I was while in hospital). They really can’t wait to settle in! They also know just how to make the soul feel better. I’m with you–I love a good CAT scan!
Our 8 yrs. old miniature Tonkineze cat, Yum Yum, senses when we need some cuddling and she lets us know when she needs a lap. I’m so happy I met you at the workshop…
enjoyed our chat. =^..^=
Hats off to Yum Yum! But what on Earth is a Tonkineze cat? Don’t know if you can put a photo in this comment section, but would love it if you could! It was nice meeting you, too. Thanks for joining in on The Sweet Life.
Hi, Gayle! We have a mutual friend, one Rita Reynolds in VA, soul-mate of mine in the truest sense. She steered me on to you and I just signed up. I’m all of 78 years and have a pet sitting business in Cary, NC for cats and birds (I love dogs but gave them up to free up my time for animal hospice work). I will spend some time now cruising your site and learning more about you. I am already impressed and send you my very best wishes for improved health and will find space for you in my daily meditations.
Hi Ron,
Welcome aboard! I can see why Rita would have you for such a good friend! Thank you for your kind wishes. My sister has some beautiful birds. 2 huge parrots, love birds, cockateels, small parrots and who knows what else! One of her large parrots occasionally lays an egg, but has never hatched a (what do you call a baby parrot?–chicklet!) baby yet.