My sister Joan phoned yesterday.
“Thought I’d call to see what you’re up to today,” she began.
“Oh, nothing really, just filing the cat’s nails.” Snort, snort, laugh, laugh.
“Pet-i-cure”
“What?” She didn’t think she had heard me correctly.
“Filing Taber’s nails,” I reiterated. Snort. Snort.
She laughed. “That’s what I thought you said.”
At 17-years-old the cat doesn’t sharpen his claws anymore and they stick like Velcro when he walks across the carpet.
Joan and I both will do anything for our animals. One night in the dead of winter she brought me a heavy coat and flashlight when my beloved shaggy dog went missing while I was walking her along the flooded Sacramento River. I had already searched for nearly an hour by the time my sister arrived, and I couldn’t go much longer in the cold and dark. She stayed. We searched. We called. We pleaded. We begged my dog to be all right. At last I was ready to give up and go home. Joan wouldn’t leave. Therefore, neither would I.
Joan found Missy twenty minutes later. She was tangled in blackberry vines submerged in an overflow pond of frigid river water. The dog’s eyes reflected like golden mirrors in the beam of Joan’s flashlight, but she wasn’t whimpering a sound. Joan called to me and waded into the ice water to free my precious companion. She would have died of hypothermia had Joan not come to her rescue. A part of me would have died too.
My pal Missy
On my drive home, with Missy secure in the back seat, I began to berate myself for having lost her in the first place. Suddenly, it was as if an unseen messenger spoke to me, “Condemning yourself is useless; it is a crippling emotion.” Somehow I heard and stopped. Instead, I gave a silent prayer of thanks for Joan, her incredible strength and the fact that she had saved Missy.
So you can see why Joan wasn’t really surprised to hear that I was filing my cat’s claws; she was simply amused. She would do no less for her animals.
In fact, if I’m ever in need, she would do no less for me.
That’s what love is all about.
Gayle,
Our pets are a most wondrous cure, aren’t they?! Our sweet Daisy has been with us since before my recurrence, and I’ve often wondered how much of my pain and ailment she absorbed for me. If nothing else, the love and the laughter she provides has showered me with healing — as I’m sure your dear pets do as well! 🙂 xoxo
Couldn’t have said it better myself! Wondrous is indeed the word. And Healing! That you Daisy for comforting my friend Diedra.
Perhaps your unseen messenger is God pouring his grace upon you. God is good. I need a pet-i-cure❤
I think you’re right! And I think God is giving you a pedigree pet-i-cure!
Yes, that is what love is all about, certainly. So sad that not everyone gets to experience it with an animal…or bird! A few months ago, Zipper, one of our cockatiels, developed a benign growth on one wing that was throwing off the bird’s balance as it grew larger. The only solution was to have the bird’s wing amputated and that we did. Amazingly, within two days, Zipper was his normal self, adjusting his balance beautifully and was quite normal in no time. When I mentioned to a friend that the procedure had cost $1,140.00, he was shocked and said, “I would never spend that much money on an animal, let alone a bird!” Well, that’s the difference between us and he will never experience the love which is really all it takes. Yes, we are poorer by some 1,100.00….but so much richer with the reward of happiness and love.
Your story reminds me that 15 years ago I paid vet bills over $1200 on the same cat whose nails I’m filing. He has brought me joy every single day of his life for almost 18 years. How much is that worth? Priceless!
Well, now I know for sure you and I are kindred spirits, Gayle! What I wouldn’t do (and have done) for an animal… I could write a book. Wait a minute, I did! Now it’s your turn, okay? That’s a book I want to read! Oh, I have a sister just like yours, too.
Rita, You’ve been doing the lion’s share of the work for animals for years now. Maybe you would be kind enough to give my readers information on the magazine you put out quarterly and how to order your book. Thanks!
You are so kind, Gayle! I would love to have people write to me at my email address lajoieco1@aol.com and they can get information at http://www.blessingthebridge.com, athough if they want laJoie, the magazine I send out free sample copies)or Ask the Cow they need to contact me – until i get my new website!! Coming soon! Most of all, I love meeting new people who love animals as much as you and I do!
Rita, There are so many of my readers who love animals. (I don’t know about as much as we do, but MAYBE!) I hope they contact you.
Great story Gail. One of my cats Sarah has the same problem. She is about 14, takes hyper thyroid meds every day and I need to clip her claws. There is no way she can sneak across the carpet. HA And her fur… needs brushing all the time… but I love her just as much 🙂
Hi Lynda, I think I met your cat the day my art group came to look at your paintings! Still want you to paint a picture of my guys, I’ve just been derailed for a while. 🙂
A real heart-warming story, very nice.
Thanks, Judy. Bet you could use a little warming in Maine about now!
Ohh I remember Missy and I remember your pet chicken Hazel and I remember most of your cats, and the big dog …ohhh blanked on his name, hummm..on the tip of my tongue. Not Bruno, but something very strong and masculine name..what was it? Ohhhh, and I remember your pet rabbit too!
I do remember when you lost Missy and came over to my house, I thought I went with you to help, maybe I didn’t want to leave the boys at home alone? Glad you found her though. Thanks Joannie!
Caesar. That sounds like Bruno. Ha Ha I will have to write a post sometime about Hazel. She was quite the pet.
Thanks for another good ending story, it was precious. And sister love is
so special.
Thanks, Peggie. Love in all its forms is so special! I’ll take it all. Oink, Oink.
Pretty-Pedi and mommy! I love your blogs, Gayle!!!! Francie
Thank you, Francie! I love that you are so easy to please. Ha Ha
Tabers…..beautiful boy. There is no doubt that he has lived this long because of your loving care and bonding. I know what he gives back is a precious gift of love…..priceless. Love to you both, Auntie Karen (and a kiss for Billy).
Tabers has also lived this long due to his health food diet! Also, in part, to your excellent care giving when I’m out of town! Thank you eternally for that!