|
 |
|
| Name: |
Scrunchie
|
Age: |
Four months old
|
| Gender: |
Male
|
Kind: |
Siamese / Lynx Tabby
|
| Home: |
Dublin, Ohio, USA
|
I want to share a very personal story about the newest edition to our family. I am not usually one to get all sentimental in a public forum but this story is just too wonderful to keep to myself. As many of you know Tracey and I are avid cat lovers. I have had cats as long as I can remember and I cannot imagine life without them; they are truly an inspiration.
Near the end of last year we were plagued with medical problems with two of our kids. Pipp was the first who became ill and we did everything we could to keep her happy and healthy but lost the battle on September 18th, 2014. Shortly after the loss of Pipp, Nano became ill as well. Maybe it was a broken heart? After over a month of fighting to get her healthy again, and after numerous procedures, a feeding tube and thousands of dollars in medical expenses, we lost that fight as well. On November 10th 2014 Nano too crossed the rainbow bridge to be with her sisters.
Experiencing the overwhelming sadness of the loss of two of our kids; we were sure things could not get any worse. We adopted two wonderful kittens to keep Stormy (our only kitty) company and to start the rebuilding of our family. Luna and Snowflake were perfect and quickly settled into their new home.
Less than a couple of months passed and tragedy struck our family again. My father passed in early January very unexpectedly. I cannot even begin to express the grief I felt after this series of losses. There were days that it was very difficult to keep my head up and not to give into the pressures of life.
On Father's day of this year Tracey and I went to my mom's house to spend Father's Day with her and my brothers. We knew it would be a difficult time for us and we chose to spend the day together remembering my Dad as a family. When I walked in the door my brother Todd and my sister-in law Nancy approached me with a little Rubbermaid tub. In the tub was a little white and gray kitten napping on a towel. He was just a little guy, only a few ounces. They explained to me this little fur ball's compelling story and my heart melted.
Living in the country, it was not unusual for them to have stray cats running around outside. This little guy was part of a small litter that was living outside their home with their mother. Shortly after birth, the mother and other kittens were found dead outside and this little kitten was missing. Feared dead, it was a very sad, but all too common end to an outdoor family of cats. A couple of days later the little kitten was found wondering around in the yard. To everyone's surprise he had survived for days with no family and his eyes barely open. It was truly a miracle that he survived around all the dangerous wildlife and the elements while only weighing a few ounces and lacking all defenses.
They quickly scooped him up and tried to take care of him they best they knew how. Knowing that Tracey and I are cat lovers, they brought him to my Mom's with the hope that we would take him and get him the help he needed to survive.
From the second I laid eyes on him, I knew I wanted to take him home. Tracey came inside and quickly was drawn to him as well. We both agreed that we would take him and care for him. Tracey and Nancy immediately ran to the pet store and got him formula and other essentials. We began bottle feeding him and he began his long journey to recovery.
When we got home that evening we set him up a pen in the bedroom to keep him separate from the girls. We knew we had to keep his temperature regulated and that he had no immunizations to keep him safe or to prevent him potentially getting the girls sick. We had to bottle feed him and even stimulate him to go potty. We spent countless hours researching on the internet and remained in constant contact with our vet.
It did not take long to see that this little guy was full of energy and was going to be a wild addition to the family. After several weeks of separation and a clean bill of health from the vet, he was introduced to his sisters Stormy, Luna, and Snowflake. Although a bit skittish, they immediately got along and took him under their wings.
We named him Scrunchie a.k.a. Little Man; names fitting for him when we first met him.
Scrunchie now weighs just over six pounds and is a very healthy and energetic kitten. He has brought us so much joy and happiness and in return we have provided him with a home and a loving family. This has been a long prelude to get to the point of my story ... this little man is special!
I believe that he came to us for a reason. Not merely his own survival, but ours as well. He came at a time when life was very dark; a time when it was hard to be happy and hard to be optimistic. I believe he was sent to us from my Dad to help us through his loss and the loss of our girls. How else could this little guy survive?
Although Father's Day was still a rough day for my family, this little guy brought smiles to all of our faces and gave us a way sew life even in the midst of death. I know this sounds strange, but every time I look at this little miracle, I see a little of my dad in his eyes. I am constantly reminded that death is not the end, but simply a new beginning; a new life for the one lost.
We are so blessed to have Little Man in our life and I am looking forward to many years of joy and happiness with him.
Thank you Dad for giving us this gift, this miracle, to help us through our difficult times.
Please share his story if you believe life is fragile and love is forever!
|
|
|
|
|
