Can an animal predict death?
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| Image: steerehouse.org |
The attached fictional story is based upon this principle and is written for those who believe in the love of animals and what they bring into our lives.
Ellie opened her door and smiled down at the coal gray cat curled up on the mat. “Come on in old fella,” she whispered.
It had been ten years since Tippy had come to reside at Sunnyside Retirement Home. Left behind when his owner passed away, he had arrived in all his grandeur, a ten years old stud that quickly lost his sexual prowess to the surgeon’s knife.
The operation was purely clinical and did nothing to change his aristocrat attitude or striking looks. His snow white feet and matching stomach not only highlighted his beauty but harmonized with the white tip on his slim tail. Thus, the name Tippy had evolved.
Not long after making his home at Sunnyside, Tippy had bonded with Ellie. Yet, in spite of his newfound love for her, he often wandered the halls for days at a time without even a whisper of his presence. His meandering would soon take shape as he formed an attachment for a resident and sat outside their room when it was bedtime. Just days of this event, someone would find him lying at foot of the resident’s bed, with the resident having gone on to a better place. Tippy was no schlep about his endeavors and always stayed closed to the deceased until someone came to discover the body.
Many of the residents took the events to heart and were freaked out if the cat even paid them any attention. Ellie would always smile at those moments and then look at Tippy and wink. “You can come to my room anytime old fella. I ain’t scared of you.”
Often before Ellie would retire she would seek out the old cat and the two of them became inseparable. Whether TV watching or Sunday service, Tippy could be found n Ellie’s lap. He never missed a meal and would keep Ellie’s feet warm while she ate.
Then one day, Ellie’s heart was broken when Tippy would not allow himself to stay in her room at night. She finally considered he must be forming a new attachment and someone else was leaving this world.
This went on for days and not a resident passed away. Soon Ellie noticed Tippy appeared to be limping and feared the worst. She even tried to entice him with a part of her dinner, but Tippy was having none of it.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with the old cat,” Ellie called her daughter. “Could you maybe come over and take a look at him?”
Ellie’s daughter arrived the next day and upon examining the cat noticed a small sliver of wood stuck in his paw. Together she and Ellie soaked the foot and removed the culprit. Tippy licked their hands and appeared genuinely grateful as he sauntered away.
“He’s really getting old, Mom,” her daughter commented.
Ellie scowled in contemplation. Her own coal black hair had been replaced with a silver bonnet sprinkled with a few telltale sprigs of her former color. The osteoporosis had taken its toll on her short frame and standing up straight was not much of an option anymore. Yet none of the physical changes could dissuade Ellie’s charm or the twinkle that appeared in her cool green eyes.
“Well I reckon that’s true,” she replied. “Probably just like all the rest of us here. He’s at least twenty by now. That’s 180 of our years and double my years.” Ellie grinned at her own words.
Ellie’s daughter returned the smile. “Come on, Mom. You won’t be 90 until next Tuesday, and don’t forget we’re having a party.”
Ellie shrugged her shoulders. “Won’t be much of a party if Tippy can’t enjoy it.”
“Tell you what, Mom. If he isn’t better by next week, I’ll take into my veterinarian and get him checked out.”
Later that evening, Ellie took Tippy up to her room and together they enjoyed some milk and cookies; Tippy drank the milk but wasn’t too impressed by the cookies. Ellie was glad she’d at least gotten him to eat something.
Tippy crawled up on Ellie’s bed and snuggled down in her arms. Ellie really enjoyed their closeness and was pleased that Tippy had always chosen to lie in her arms instead of at the end of the bed. That fact alone kept her from getting spooked by his presence.
The next morning, Ellie awoke to find Tippy curled up at the door. “Is it time to move on again, old fella?” she said, opening the door.
The old gray cat looked up at her and flicked his tail, then promptly ran down the hallway toward the laundry room where his litter box was kept. Ellie nodded after him and laughed. “Oh, I shoulda known. You go take care of your business, but don’t forget to come back.”
For the next two days, Tippy was nowhere to be found. Ellie was not only feeling lonely she was getting worried. She even checked on all the residents to see if everyone was accounted for, but still couldn’t find the old cat.
You can imagine her excitement when Tippy appeared outside her bedroom door that night. Elated, she scooped him into her arms and unlocked the door.
“Sure glad to see you,” she said. “I was going to bed early tonight as I’m awfully tired. She put the old cat down by the bed.
The cat purred and rubbed his chin along the side of Ellie’s leg. Then he turned and hopped up onto the bed appearing anxious to have her join him. Ellie got undressed and sat down on the bed. Tippy put his chin on her breast and again began to purr.
Ellie yawned. “So glad you’re willing to call it a night too. I think I must be catching a chill. Just haven’t been able to get warm all day.”
Ellie crawled under the covers and Tippy snuggled up under her arm. Soon they drifted off to sleep.
When Ellie’s daughter arrived the next morning, she found her mother and Tippy wrapped in each other’s arms. Her weeping permeated the stillness of the sunlight room as she caressed her mother’s limp hand and knelt to kiss her cool forehead. The old cat loved Ellie so much he couldn’t bear to see her leave without him. After pondering his sadness for several weeks, he had decided she would be the perfect companion to be with forever. Together they traveled over the Rainbow Bridge to spend a peaceful eternity together.
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