Yesterday, a car pulled up and this distinguished gentleman got out, took a wheelchair from the trunk and helped this lady into the chair, wheeling it up to the house. I was thankful we have a wheelchair ramp. He then went to the trunk of the car and started unloading goodies for the cats!
There was cat food, cat litter, cat beds and blankets and some cat toys.
It turned out that the woman adopted a cat from me over 19 years ago and Shasta recently passed away due to cancer. She wanted to thank me for giving her such a wonderful companion who kept her company when she was dealing with her own cancer issues.
She oohed and awed over the recent arrivals but said that her time here now is limited and she doesn’t think getting another cat or kitten is for her right now.
She took out of her purse a brag book and it was full of photos of her and Shasta and this little bottle baby that I raised for a few months, well, I got to see him grow up in front of my eyes.
I had to laugh at one photo, her son had smuggled Shasta into the hospital in his backpack while she was recovering from surgery. there she was, covered in tubes and Shasta lay snuggled in her arms.
We hugged and cried when we said goodbye and she wished me well. She asked me if she could do anything to help out! I looked at the mountain of blankets, the food, the toys the beds and told her she had done enough.
She said she had Shasta cremated and said after she is gone (she is on hospice care now) she wants their ashes put together and scattered in the same place. It was a lovely if bittersweet visit and even writing about it now brings tears to my eyes.
I am always so glad to be able to place these wonderful beings into homes where they are loved and cared for till the end of their days. The problem is they never live as long as we would like them to- but what they give us before they go could fill a treasure room.
What a wonderful tribute to Shasta, the sweet lady who adopted Shasta, and to you. Thanks for bringing a smile and a few tears into my life today as well as reminding all of us what wonderful gifts cats are.
Amazing story! We often don’t get to know the good that one deed ends up doing.
That brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for sharing that with us.
As we go through life, little do we know what impact we make on other people’s lives. You are fortunate to have spread so much love, through your work with cats, to so many wonderful people. Although we know that you do not perform your work for trophies or accolades, it’s always nice when someone remembers how you brought the blessing of a beloved pet to their life. Bask in the glorious light — and when the going is especially tough, comfort yourself with the knowledge that your work is appreciated by so many.
Very touching moment!!
“… and even writing about it now brings tears to my eyes.” As it does to us all now MA. **hugs**