Little creatures, big hearts
As I type this, I’m losing a furry friend.
No, Mia is alive and well. In fact, she’s cuddled up next to me on the couch. Maybe she wants to snuggle. Or it could be she’s sharing warmth because I haven’t turned on the heat yet — it’ll happen, but we’re good for right now.
No, this cat belongs to a friend. He and I have been talking, and his companion is in pain. She’s just slowly fading away. I told him she needed his love and company now more than ever. She’s been his companion and confidante for months now. And if this truly is the end, he needs to make sure she’s not alone.
I’m reminded of a story a few weeks ago about singer Fiona Apple. Her pit bull, Janet, was ill. A tumor had been wracking her body for two years. Apple had rescued Janet when the dog was just 4 months old. Now 14 years old, the pit bull was ready to give up her fight. Apple cancelled (or rather postponed) the South American leg of her tour in order to be by her friend’s side. In a heartfelt letter to her fans, she defended her reasoning. The note was handwritten before being typed into Apple’s Facebook page.
“I just can’t leave her now, please understand,” Apple wrote. “If I go away again, I’m afraid she’ll die and I won’t have the honor of singing her to sleep, of escorting her out.”
She went on to say that she would not be the woman who put a career ahead of love and friendship. She noted that Janet was the “most consistent” relationship she’d experienced as an adult.
I could say the same about my Mia. We’ve been together for seven years now, which is longer than I’ve known most people. Even though we don’t always get along, I can always count on her to be there when I need her. That’s more than I can say for some who have claimed to be my friend through the years.
Mia has been through a lot with me. Tears, fears and more. We’ve had good times, and she’s been the best and only company I could have tolerated at some points.
These days, things are kind of hectic. Between the holidays and impending doom of the end of the world — those darn Mayans — to say we’re a little stressed could be an understatement.
I haven’t even started my Christmas shopping yet, and I’m not sure how I’m going to get it all done. Yes, it’s my own fault for waiting this long. Again. Like I vow not to do each year.
Then there’s the whole “five more days to live” thing. Yeah ...
It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind. Work. Money (woes). Lack of heat. We can dwell on them and miss out on the important things life has to offer.
Like a movie outing with a friend. Singing karaoke till your voice is gone. Spending time with your family and friends, fur-covered ones included.
Interpersonal relationships. Relationships between two individuals that might last from only a brief time to something far more enduring. In my heart, I believe they’re the reason that there’s so many beings down here. We all need a soul (human or furry) to connect with. In my soul, I know that’s the case.
Love and compassion know no bounds, and they shouldn’t, either. It’s our responsibility to nurture these transcendent emotions and share them with others, regardless of race, creed, color or even species.
Amanda Greever is assistant managing editor at The Daily Times. She writes a weekly column in the Sunday Life section. She can be reached at 981-1161 or (amanda.greever@thedailytimes.com) Follow her on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com _editor.
