Last night with this unbearable heat I finally settled in to watch a dvd about Marley and Me. I know I am a little late in viewing this popular dvd of several years ago. It is never too late.
This movie hit home in several ways. Living in Florida...spending three days in a bathtub due to a hurricane and loving a special pet. My guy was Shawn a black cat that a nurse in a hospital where we worked together in Ft. Walton Beach , Fl. wanted to give me. I thought about it. I was pretty lonely living in a three story house that the hospital had provided for me. A lovely place over looking the Gulf of Mexico. I could see dolphins swimming from my balcony. I certainly had room for one little kitten.
So one week end when Shawn was able to leave his mother I drove to Pensacola, Fl. to pick him up and start our life together. The nurse's son who was about 7 years old said Shawn was his favorite kitten. He became my favorite cat too.
Shawn and I were together for 18 years. He was there through the many moves I made to different cities in Florida due to my work as a mental health counselor and program designer. He always watched my back better than any human I have known. He was always there for me and I for him. Just the two of us.
I loved to cook and he loved to eat. He would stand by the kitchen door especially on holidays watching me prepare our favorite meals. He always had his special plate of food.
One day on my way to work he began to have a severe cough. I dropped my brief case. He went to the Vet. They found he had a heart condition and perhaps only had 6 months to live. He was placed on heart medication. Two years later my baby was still going strong. He had slowed down in his walk and found it difficult to jump onto the bed. He loved to snuggle next to me to sleep and fall into a deep snoring state.
I told Shawn as did Marley's dad that he would let me know when he was too tired to go on with this life. One evening he came to me to sit on my lap too weak to jump so I picked him up and stroked him while telling him how much I loved him. The next morning he was on the dining room floor a strange place for him. He was very weak. I tearfully called the Vet with whom I had made arrangements to help Shawn leave the world comfortably in his own home. A few hours later the Vet and and his assistant arrived. We talked about Shawn and how faithful he had been. I wanted Shawn to have a peacefully death. My last words to Shawn were thanking him for being with me for the last 18 years. I told him I knew we would meet again in the valley where the animals are with love and blessings . We would meet again. He left this world peacefully. Thank you Jesus.
A week or so later I picked up Shawn's cremated remains. A black shopping bag, a wonderfully warm card from staff and a small metal container. The tears were flowing once again. I went to my office because I had several clients to see that evening. Once the sessions were closed I went to my car parked behind my office. To my surprise there were three cats setting on the car where Shawn's remains were placed earlier. More tears. The next day a cardinal bird landed on my window sill. A love message from Shawn.
Our pets do not make us happy. It is what we tell ourselves about their behaviors. Shawn showed me unconditional love...the best relationship a pet can give...also man can give to the pet.
God loves his animals and so do I.
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