Our Light Along the Way

When I met Meow he was a fierce and hungry cat. He would often hit and scratch my hand as I placed his plate of food in front of him. Little did he know then is that I wasn´t going to be disgusted with his sickly, homely appearance, nor flinch at the feeling of his nails digging into my skin. Rightfully so, Meow trusted no human. After all, the human world had only brought him abandonment, neglect and improper care.

I wasn´t going to give up on Meow. His breathing was loud, full of the sound of such forced effort to do what should come so naturally and comfortably. His white fur was dirty from his living area as well as from the dirty and infected mouth he had to clean himself with. His ears were burning red on the outside from the sun and black on the inside from insects, dirt and infection. Meow was a classic case of street cat abandonment who was expected to get by on leftovers and cheap dry cat food, while the roosters and chickens of the park often were stronger and were able to eat most of it before he could even finish and take away his hunger pains.

Meow came home with me where I decided that street cat or not, he had to recover in a protected and safe environment. An abscess erupted and he had scratched himself a hole the size of a my fist on the side of his neck that needed daily cleaning, bandages and pain medication. To improve his breathing he would have daily vapor treatments and antibiotics to fight the infection. We discovered he had 3-5 cm polyps in his nose and ear that were removed. Meow started not only his long journey toward recovery, but also his journey to know and trust that love exists, that human touch doesn’t have to be bad and that feeling warm and comfortable with fluffy blankets is something easy to get used to!

After months of surgeries not only for the open wound, but also for the polyps, Meow was healed. He played, he ran around, he enjoyed the company of others, he saw as foster cats came and went. With every foster brother or sister, he accepted them and let them lay with him on his favorite fluffy blanket, comforting them and convincing them that it would be ok. He understood them and the process it takes to turn from street cat to house cat. He understood that with love, all is possible. Meow became pure love, a light that was shining daily. His white fur was beautiful, he was clean, his eyes were clear and full of hope and life. He was to be admired not only for his apparent natural beauty, but also his inner strength and courage that pushed him through the toughest, most painful of times to what he was: a pure radiant light that was shining through all of us. We were in love with all he was, and grateful for all he taught us.

Meow´s time with us was short because after 5 glorious months after healing he again developed a severe ear infection. We decided to do a TAC to see if he had more polyps and something else that was causing him pain. In November he was diagnosed with a very aggressive bone cancer that was attacking his right ear, head and nose. This was something that probably started a year ago and was now very advanced and destroying what was in its path very quickly. We were given little time and Meow´s final moments with us were memorable, comfortable, pain free and not a minute without feeling our love, our concern and constant protection.

On the day Meow passed it was raining and one of those days when we never seem to get a break from the rain and the clouds. The weather was a true symbol of our feelings on that sad, dark day. Just minutes after our Meow left us, the sun suddenly broke through the clouds and the rays lit up the hospital entrance. We knew he was ok. From this moment on, we believe he will forever be a light to guide us as we continue our journey in helping others like him. He taught us that even through the toughest battles and the most difficult moments life gives us, goodness can prevail. There is nothing more admirable than being good and having a pure heart even after so much suffering. This is after all, what the world needs, more Meows, who fight harder when it gets tougher, find happiness despite the struggles, and love and trust despite the memories of past neglect. Meow is and will always be our hero.

In loving memory of the cat who changed our lives, opened our hearts and showed us that light does break through even on the darkest of days. We love you.

When I met Meow

Meow at home with us