The ability of cats to somehow understand that we aren't feeling well has
always amazed us; here's just one example. Hope you like it! AS ALWAYS: It's up to YOU
to help determine the direction the FEATURE STORY will take, so send in your
submissions here.
Don't forget to check the ARCHIVES for FEATURES STORIES from
past issues.
My Cat ... Jaffee
Hi, My Name Is Bonnie and I would like to tell you about my cat. My
daughter and I picked Jaffee for some very special reasons (he was quick, cute, fast, and
black as coal). He was the runt. He is a Siamese tom cat 10 1/2 years old now and has
always brought us joy, tears, laughter, a world of hugs, sweat and plenty of splashes from
his baths. He always sleeps beside me or my daughter (especially when we are sick). He
snuggles against us and keeps us warm with all of his hair and he likes to hold on to you
by stretching his paws and placing them across your arm or face and stays that way until
we get up or turn over,.. Jaffee has taught me what best friends, pets and unconditional
love means (thought I already new enough about that). He doesn't ask for much besides
being spoiled (not a problem) and he returns it 10 fold... What I want to tell you about
my cat is going to bring tears to my eyes while I tell you why he means so very much to
me, so I hope you don't mind me telling it.
3 years ago, I was on vacation and the last day I found a lump on the right side of my
breast (felt something before too, while Jaffee was laying across my right shoulder and
breast, he always sleeps that way) I was a little scared, but I knew what I had to do.
Came home and had tests after tests done, then surgeries. Diagnosis - Stage 3 Breast
Cancer. Without telling Jaffee what was bothering me and that he could not lay across me
like that anymore, he sensed something was wrong and just started sleeping across my legs
and above my head. Sometimes across my stomach, but not too much. Through all the changes,
Jaffee never left my side. Through the 5 days I stayed in the hospital he would not touch
a bite of food, not even fish (odd). So when I got home he had the deepest I missed you,
are you OK look in his eyes that I have ever seen. I sat down on the bed, lay across the
pillow where he was and told him that I was going to be alright and that he had to eat for
me. We went in the cupboard and I picked out his favorite (Sheba, with halibut). I opened
it and placed it in his bowl (his look still not changed, but not taking his eyes off me)
sliced it up and told him he has to eat so as not to get sick. He looked around the room
then and looked back at me with those eyes that tell you to stay, don't leave. I sat down
and he ate every bit, much to the shock of my daughter. The next day I called my vet, and
explained the situation to and they had me bring Jaffee in to talk to me and to make sure
he was ok. HE WAS FINE. They said that when they are sad and worried about their loved
ones, they regress. That is what he was doing. He waited to make sure I was home, safe and
sound.. Jaffee didn't even lose weight. Through everything my daughter and I have been
through, Jaffee never has let us down.. We can never repay all his unconditional love. I
want to honor my cat by sharing my love (and my daughter's) for him. And to thank God for
bringing him to us. I know he is getting old. He doesn't like his back rubbed as long as
he once did, hesitates getting on the bed (I have to pick him up) and he has gray hair
through his black coat. I will do the best that I can to be by his side as he has for me
and my daughter, without complaint too. I love him dearly...... He is a blessing.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story about Jaffee. I hope you enjoyed it as much
as I enjoyed writing it .... TEARS AND ALL..
