Saying Goodbye

A dying cat, crying children and a husband who is out with the fellas.  That was my Friday night.

Our faithful, thought he was a dog, kittie cat finally succumbed to some sort of feline disease and by Sunday morning had left us.

This cat was a wonderful pet.  He wasn’t snitty like so many cats.  He loved to hang out with us.  Once, my husband and son walked to a neighbour’s house about a kilometer down the road.  The cat followed them.  The cat also walked the kilometer back up the hill.  He then slept for two days.

If we were having family pizza and movie night, there was Freckles in the midst of us.  At bedtime, he crawled right up on my pillow.  When we were sick, he would stand guard and even follow us to the bathroom until we were able to make it back to bed.

He tolerated hugging and petting and mauling from all kinds of little hands and then came back for more.  He loved to wrestle and play and just be with us.

As I write this, I wonder if I am that faithful?

Psalm 33:4
For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.

Freckles made such a huge impact on our lives because we were important to him.  In fact, I don’t believe that there was anything more important to him than his family.

When the end finally came, not only did the children cry, but so did my husband and I.  We didn’t cry because we lost a pet but because it seemed as though we lost a friend.  This crazy cat had become a part of our lives.

Saying goodbye to Freckles was difficult because he loved us.  No matter what and no matter when Freckles was there.

What a beautiful gift God gave our family in the life of a cat.  He gave us a picture of His devotion to us.  And although we had to say goodbye to Freckles, God will never leave us.

Deuteronomy 31:8
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”