Thread: In Praise of Unsung Heroes

Right off the bat, this is not about unsung human heroes. This is about an animal hero, specifically a small cat. And I want it understood from the beginning that I have never, and never will, humanize an animal. They are a different species that has the ability to key into our world in ways we have yet to understand.

This morning I gave my avatar, my Lil Mama, back to the Universe. It was a quiet transfer aided by the best vet I have ever known. I have grieved before the fact of this morning. I am done with post grieving. I am celebrating this small wonder of a cat. She was with me for near on to 13 years. She came on her own to my front door, a street cat, no collar, no chip, not afraid of humans. Opened the door, she marched in and took over. To the vet's for a check up and congratulated on become a step-grandfather. After being a midwife to a litter of six, and looking at the six kittens, I realized the little scamp had had a heck of a night with three different Toms - two from each father by the markings. Homes found for all but two, one a half Siamese and the other, a 25 lb love machine who went before his mother earlier this year.

The reason she is my unsung hero is the following. Six years ago I spent several months on and off in the hospital for four day stays with 24 hr chemo for abdominal cancer. Needless to say, the times at home between the stays we not always in good mood or feeling. I have a good support team from my family, that goes without saying. But this little cat, quiet beyond belief, living her life by the heat looking forward to food, water and litter box and rarely demanding attention, with out biding, would find where I was sitting, climb in my lap, curl up on my stomach and start an almost audible purr. She would not leave until she sensed that I was feeling better about things and would jump off and go back to her favorite spot in the house. Any time she came when I was feeling good it was because she was not well, like this last time. Large tumor on her bladder, past solving. I will carry the image of her giving unasked for comfort to a human for the rest of my life.

Lil Mama, unsung hero (I'm sure there are many more like her out there), I celebrate you.

Sorry to hear this. Hard to beat love without qualifications from anything or anybody.

Man that's tough. Sorry to hear that but glad to hear about good memories that you'll have forever. Sometimes they just know.

Very sorry to hear you lost a four legged friend. Been through that one too many times for my liking and it does not get any easier each time.

Bob

Sorry to hear of your loss Richard.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

Sorry to hear of your loss Richard.

Me too...Thank you for sharing your story with us.

Hello Richard,

I am sorry for your loss, but happy you have the memories to carry with you. The loss of a pet is as hard as losing familay because if you love and treat them right they are familay to you - not human but talked to and loved the same. I hope for nothing but the best for you during your time of healing.

KCA

aaw Richard, im glad lil mama went quietly and you had family with you.

but this is a celebration of a terrific animal and i am raising a glass to her spirit at this moment

i dream of the day i will own my own a cat for the comfort, contentment and warmth you have achieved,

much love,
Pete

Sorry for ur loss

There is nothing I can say or do that will quell your loss. Nor can anything be said or done to take away the memories.
It is a wonderful thing to have one in your life that sees and understands your needs, sometimes better than you yourself can.
My thoughts are with you.