(Tucker asleep at Christmas 2008)
Last summer I often sat in my garden alone in the evening listening to relaxing music and sipping southern sweet tea. This was my special treat as the sun slowly moved beyond the sunburned mountain and allowed the valley air to cool.
One evening as I sat in private solitude I noticed Tucker, our 24 lb. Siamese/Lynx Point cat, had come to sit at my feet. He seemed different...more serene. I spoke a gentle "hello" to him, stroked his soft, long fur and turned my attention back to a copy of Oprah Magazine.
Fifteen minutes later I noticed Tucker had moved a short distance away from my chair. He was now sitting under the small table on which the CD player had been placed. His eyes were closed, although, he was not sleeping. I knew, for a certainty, he was listening and enjoying the timeless beauty of Pachelbel's Canon. What an enchanting moment...witnessing our sensitive, furry giant sharing this extraordinary time with me. He and I shared many more amazing evenings as I began to appreciate the Spirit within him.
Tucker seems to understand and honor the indoor "Serenity Room" as well. Knowing he can't sleep on the bed, he positions himself in a quiet corner to listen and enjoy whatever classical arrangement is playing that particular day.
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." -Anatole France
***Have you experienced the Spirit of a beloved pet?
20 comments:
Don't special pets, so smart and seemingly loving what we love, add so much richness to life? :)
What a beautiful telling, Barbara; your opening paragraph is especially poignant.
I have felt that with a pet before, though I admit with young children in the house (who take my energies and fill them with demands), it's hard to nourish that once strong bond. It all goes to my darling girls.
We have a beautiful blue creme cat we rescued from the Human Society. She had been there, living in a cage, for four and a half months, until we happened to walk by and something connected us. Our cat just loves the couple of kitty beds we have for her, and I notice Tucker wasn't allowed on the bed in the Serenity Room. Does he have a soft, comfy kitty bed to curl up in there, a space just for him? He's adorable, btw!
This post almost made me cry. :-) I lost my beloved dog, Charlie, last year and I swear I still felt his spirit in my bedroom after he'd passed. I miss him terribly.
Angie- We are indebted to our beloved pets for bringing so much joy to our lives and loving us unconditionally.
Janna- There will come a time in your life when your beloved pets can have more of your loving attention. Children always come first.
Joanne- Tucker has a cozy window bed that he really likes, but also
loves to lounge beside the fireplace. He's such a peaceful, gentle soul. He thinks I'm his mom and often comes to lie beside me when I'm working on my laptop. He slept on my chest when he was a baby and would still do that if I would let him.
Melissa- I would say that he is still around and will leave when he feels you are ready. When you feel his spirit, thank him for loving you and enjoy his presence.
JOANNE- I forgot to mention your suggestion for the kitty bed in the Serenity Room is a good one. That way he would be able to enjoy his music in a comfy spot.
WE once had a cat named George. He was very special...so special, that my husband actually decided he like cats! WE miss him and talk about him even 10 years later :)
beloved Mama- We had a cat named Tiger who lived to be 16 years old. He was so athletic and intelligent...a real warrior, so "street smart"...we, too, talk about him often ....there are so many unbelievable and funny stories to talk about. Special pets are like that. Their memory lingers with us always. And aren't we so fortunate to have had them for a time?
Yes, my Sam has that Spirit. I call him many names and one of them is keeper of his mommy. He keeps a good eye on me as if to protect me from dust bunnies, water drips and invisible things flying through the sky. He can wake up out of a deep sleep just to sit by me when I get up for the morning.
He loves to watch tv and listen to jazz music. He also like to sit under the piano when I'm playing.
I'm glad Tucker enjoys the peace and serenity as much as you do.
Daydreams- Is that Sam in the photo? Isn't it amazing how they love music? Music is the universal language.
How special! A cat that enjoys ! I love it!!
Pat- Thanks a million for stopping by!
Had several very special ones. The last was my Sophie that I lost recently, Now I have Skeeter, my lovable clown. He loves me unconditionally. When Bob and I lead a bible study a few years ago when we begin to pray, Sophie would come and get in the center of our prayer circle. Every week. We loved it.
Lea- They can be very spiritual, if we are just aware of it.
I'm experiencing my big ole Maine Coon cat's spirit right now ... she is headbutting my hand and looking squinty-eyed at me ... she wants her morning yogurt and she wants it NOW! She lies on my desk while I'm on the computer ... just waiting and waiting til I make a move. A long time ago I had a Siamese Lynx Point cat that use to play hide-and-seek with my two boys and he was quite the talker, as most Siamese are. His lynx point markings were just like a Siamese cat's marking, only his points were stripes! He was a beautiful cat, too!
Mrs. Marcia- Tucker talks, too, but he has a tiny voice, for his giant size. I can hardly hear him at times. He's very gentle, just like his voice.
Thanks so much for stopping by and keep enjoying those gentle spirits.
And such a handsome, gentle giant! What a wonderful companion.
I've had an endless stream of cats and dogs, throughout my life and each was special. Presently, four cats and one small dog share my home and heart, so I needn't look very far from that special companionship that each one brings... Deb
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