After the Pesty incident (see "Pesty"), we gave up on trying to find my little
Princess a mate. She did though. Just a few weeks after we returned the little
guy, she snuck out of the house and found her OWN husband! This ended up, 2
months later, in the birth of two beautiful kittens. It wasn't hard at all to
find homes for these adorable creatures, and we felt assured that her line would
live on. Somehow that didn't seem as important than as it does now . . .
Princess was barely twelve years old when she started to develop a mysterious
and unpleasant illness: she became unable to empty her bowels. At first we
thought she was constipated, but it was soon discovered that her situation was
far worse than simple e-lax. The veterinarian wasn't too positive, but he
manually emptied her bowels and prescribed her some medication. It was only a
few days before she was once more meowing in pain, and we were off to the vet
another time.
The news we received at this visit was pretty grim: "Princess has Mega Colon.
This means that she no longer has enough muscle mass in her colon to empty her
bowels."
"What can we do?" We asked.
"There is no cure," was the grim response. "The only option is for you to come
weekly to have her bowel manually emptied."
At this suggestion, we could almost see poor Princess' eyes roll. She found even
the most general vet visits VERY stressful, and these past two, she had
thoroughly hated. "What do you suggest, then?" We asked.
"I would suggest putting her to sleep," was the grim, but expected, response.
Even when you anticipate a negative answer, it doesn't make it any easier: "Put
her to sleep! Isn't that a bit rash? Are you sure that there are no other ways?"
"You're welcome to get a second opinion," was the kind reply. "She should be
fine for another week, until her bowel fills up again."
"Can't we empty her ourselves???" We were drawing at straws and we knew it, but
who wouldn't?
"You need special equipment in order to keep her discomfort to a minimum," was
the honest response. "It would be easier on her if a vet did it."
That made sense, but it wasn't what we wanted to hear, and we left the clinic
devastated. How could I do that to the one who had always been my pride and joy,
the one who brightened my life? She was my faithful friend! She had traveled
with me through the States and Canada! We had lived together in Washington
State, Arizona and now in Ontario! How could I have my best friend put to sleep?
Princess, who didn't understand any of this, was just glad to be going home!
Whenever I felt depressed, I could always rely on her to notice my mood and come
and sit on my lap, and she did so this time, purring on my knees as I drove!
Her sitting with me didn't lift my mood much this time, however. It only made me
realize how selfish my thoughts were. She hated having her bowel manually
cleaned. How could I make her suffer this painful indignity just to continue to
have my faithful friend? I held her close, and when she looked up at me with her
ocean blue eyes, I started to cry. She reached over and rubbed her head against
my cheek. She always hated to see me feel sad! This gesture had never failed to
lighten my mood in the past, but today, it only made me feel worse!
After days of discussion, my wife and I finally decided that there was really
only one option. My wife's grandmother would soon be visiting us. We would leave
the boys, ages two and four, with her while we took Princess for her final vet
visit. That way they could stay home and have fun with their great-grandmother
and wouldn't have to experience leaving Princess and never bringing her home
again.
That sad Thursday after work, my wife and I took my beloved cat on her last car
ride. We entered the clinic depressed. We asked the receptionist if we could
stay with Princess during the whole procedure and permission was granted. When
the vet took Princess in his hands, she started to meow. Did she understand that
he was to become an agent of doom? I took her instead, and laid her on the table
for him. Then I caressed her front paws until she began to relax. She was
looking straight into my eyes when she received her injection. She didn't panic.
She trusted me and she knew I would do what was best for her. As I petted her,
her eyes grew dim and she went into a peaceful sleep, one that would last
forever.
I would be lying to tell you that I didn't cry. In fact, we were both crying
when we left the clinic, but before leaving I was able to whisper one more time
into Princess' ear: "Goodbye my friend. I sure will miss you!"
Though this happened eight years ago, I still remember it as vividly as if it
were yesterday. I never replaced my precious cat. There was no way another one
would be able to be for me what Princess had been. I learned from Princess that
true friendship goes much farther that just being there for someone. True
friendship notices when a friend is going through tough times and makes oneself
available as an agent of cheer. True friendship is based on trust. True
friendship knows that the friend will never forsake you and will always do what
is best for you.
It is hard to find a true human friend. Just like the prodigal son, many have
experienced that friendship is short-lived and is often based on selfish
ambitions. As a result, many people don't know the kind of friendship I received
from Princess, and there are many lonely people out there!
We all have one true friend in common, however, a friend we can always rely on,
One who has promised: "I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
(Matthew 28:20 NIV) This friend is always there for us and is willing and able
to help us out whenever we are in trouble. In fact, He has a solution to ALL of
our problems, and he encourages us to: "Come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) He cheers with us when we
are jubilant and cries when we are sad. He is there for us and He longs for our
company.
I have never experienced any friendship that is deeper or more sweet than my
friendship with Jesus. In fact, it is deeper and sweeter even than Princess'
friendship. Jesus gives me inner peace and a purpose in life. I can trust in Him
to always know what is best for me. I will never have to say to Him: "Goodbye my
friend, I sure will miss you!" No matter where I am, He will be there as well,
for: "Christ lives in me." (Galatians 2:20 NIV).
Do YOU know my best Friend?
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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