Meow

We found him, Meow, around the back of our garage crying in terror. We were both horrified to see how wasted he was and that he found it difficult to walk. All I could offer him was a bowl of milk. Next morning he was faithfully sitting on the step waiting for us. It was then that we realised this cat was here to stay.

Phil has never been a great cat lover but to my amazement the cat went straight to him and when he picked him up, he cuddled tightly into his body, burying his head and purring loudly. While they cuddled, I rushed to the local shop to find cat food to feed him.

Where did he come from? How did he find us? Or why did he pick us?

The thought came to me that maybe someone had died and the cat had been forgotten or did someone move away and leave him behind, or did he stow away in a van and then find himself in strange territory? Next I scheduled a trip to the vet and he confirmed that he was a desexed, unchipped male tabby about 12 years of age. I needed to provide a name for the clinic’s records so without hesitation I named him “Meow” mainly because he answered to this. There didn’t appear to be anything obviously wrong with him other than he needed a good feed and had at sometime suffered major leg injuries that had left him with arthritis. So home to our cosy house with me determined that he would not be spending much time inside – WRONG?

This wonderful litle creature soon captured our hearts and trained us to his needs. After his morning feed he strongly demanded to be cuddled before finding a safe spot inside in the sun. He made it known when he needed to leave the house for toileting by standing at the door and meowing. He tried out each bed and lounge in the house and got us into his routine of when he needed company. During winter he found his way onto our bed and would snuggle up close to our face before finally settling in between us for the night.

So it went on for a couple of months and he thrived. I studied his different meows and learnt what each one meant. At first Meow didn’t eat much but as time progressed he experimented with food and I catered to his special tastes.

One Tuesday he went on his usual outside trip but didn’t return and by night we were a little concerned but horrified the next morning when he still didn’t turn up. By Thursday we were both distraught! The house was not the same without our little Meow. I wandered aimlessly through the garden looking for him and calling his name, my husband was at a loss and it was obvious that this cat hater had been won over. I placed a photo and add in the local shop window and on Friday went door to door handing out leaflets. Late that afternoon I was wandering lost through the garden when I heard a loud ‘MEOW’!!!! I ran wildly towards the sound calling out ‘meow’ in reply, he replied with another meow and so it went on. To anyone watching or listening they would have thought me mad. He was standing at the door, looking quite distressed and thin. I swooped him up and cuddled him closely and he instantly started to purr loudly before I prepared him a hearty meal. Where had he been all this time? No one owned up to finding him however I feel he may have unknowingly been locked in someone’s laundry or garage – we will never know. The wonderful thing is that he headed straight for home which really indicated that he was now our cat.

The months went by and Christmas arrived. Meow handled the grandchildren invasion quite well, finding a safe haven in our walk in wardrobe. When they left he soon assumed his run of the house although it was obvious he was a little confused. Then we started having little accidents around the house and I started to put him outside more. He didn’t seem to mind. The weather was hot and he soon found a special spot under a bush in the backyard. He would arrive at the door to be fed and then rush back to his special spot. Daily he demanded a cuddle and we took it in turns going into the yard to find him and spend time with him.

One day Meow didn’t come for his meal and on calling him he could only muster a weak meow as if saying “come and pick me up, I haven’t the energy to climb the garden stairs”. I scheduled another vet check during his booked boarding stay to coincide with our six day holiday. On the day we were due to book him in he was listless and just snuggled into my husband on the trip to the vet. On arrival it was obvious that he was not well and the vet promised to run some tests while we were away. Unfortunately the tests results showed he had severe blood abnormalities that could not be reversed and the vet advised that it would be best if we could put him down. This was a hard decision. We had only known this little fellow for 8 months but already he was part of our lives. It was a most difficult decision but we convinced ourselves to offer him the ultimate gift of eternal peace.

The house is so quiet without Meow and its now that we realise how much he added to our lives. He taught us to love and nurture a creature in need – I hope he understood what he gave us in return.

© copyright Beverley Woodman 2008
This written work remains the property of the above author and cannot be copied, used or reproduced in any form without the author’s written consent.

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cats and meow