The Effect of Love on an Abandoned Cat

First of all, let me apologize for the absence of yesterday's post. I'm afraid that my wanting to work on my chemistry project led the thought of writing an entry out of sight and out of mind. Anyway, I couldn't get much work done due to the clowder of cats crying outside my apartment. Once happy and playful, they were left out hungry and diminished as their regular feeder took refuge at his home in the wake of quarantine. They, along with the stray dogs and crows, were fighting among each other for the smallest crumbs of food they found. COVID-19 has consequences not only for humans, but for the entire ecosystem. This certain situation reminds me of another nearly 3 years ago.

It was another day in the Mumbai summer. The day, as I remember it, was the host to a very eventful game of cricket. We were 4 people playing (tbh our society is not the biggest society in Mumbai) and in the midst of a rather unforgiving innings, my friend Alan's aunt arrived at the gate. We all knew her well and she had come several times to meet her sister and her family. Whenever we were down at play, she would give us a smile and go upstairs. This time, however, was different. She held a basket in her hand, which was moving oddly. She must have seen us looking at its movements so she came to us and told us that she held a day-old kitten in the basket. She also told us that it was going to be Alan's. 

I had known Alan for a year then, and knew and shared his love for animals. The prospect of having his first pet put a huge smile on his face that I hadn't ever seen. We quickly made up some excuse and went to his flat. The door was opened rather quickly, as though someone was just waiting for the bell to ring. It turned out that everyone was gathered in the doorway around the small woven basket. Alan's younger sister, Irene was very excited and enthusiastic. They took us in and showed us the cat. Her eyes were still closed, as cats don't tend to open their eyes for seven to ten days, as their vision is feeble. She could fit in the palm of a hand, but was too weak to even be touched by humans. Alan's aunt explained that she had found her on the sidewalk. She had been abandoned by her owner and was left to die and be tortured by  devilish teenagers. His aunt pointed out the kitten's bruises, which earlier I mistook for a pattern on her fur. 

I continued visiting their house regularly for a few weeks. I saw her double in size and open her eyes. The time came for a name. A number of names were suggested, but had some fault or another. Finally, we decided on a name. We were 9 at the time and, like most nine year-olds, were fans of Pokemon. We gave her the name Eevee as she looked a lot like the Pokemon with the same name.

 

Eevee grew and grew. But she still didn't like anyone petting her. Every time I saw Alan, he was covered in some new claw mark or another. The vet said that she had some form of cat PTSD and had some trauma regarding humans because of her first experience with man. Later on, I was not there that regularly, so she did not get used to me. But I had seen how she responded to the others. Irene was her constant companion. They became quite good friends. They would always treat her well and her mom would always bring back her her favourite treat, fish bones. She was beloved and was given a place in a loving home. Looking back on it now, I definitely feel it was love, love that changed her for the better. 

For a year, Eevee was given a happy life and later, even a new feline friend, a rescued tabby cat called Zeco. Even though Eevee died early, Zeco is still quite well and humongous last time I saw her. She now has another rescue cat with her called Magick. And I can assure you that both of them are treated wit the same kind of love that Eevee had.

Now, as I finish today's article, I beg all you readers to please take care of your animal friends. They have the same of amount of soul and life that you have. If you don't have place for another pet, please donate them to a good rescue home or another loving family and don't just leave them out to die in the harsh reality of life. Give them a home, give them love.

Photo by Ramiz Dedaković on Unsplash