LOVE, LONELY & LUCK
In a tough situation last winter, I found myself homeless. My family threw me out, an arbitrary decision. No reason for freezing, for my lonely life.
After searching about in my new surroundings, I discovered a place where I could cuddle with a guy I called Pepper; he was hot tempered but warm to wrap up with. We were both homeless, and lurked around a particular yard on a street named Temple. We had a hard time; finding food, safe places to sleep, and we were often exhausted from simple survival.
There was a particular yard we hid in because there was a garage behind the house. A large dog lived there, who scared us because of her loud barking, and the way she ran fast and was always on the lookout for strangers. The moment we saw her each day, we hit the road. The people in the house called her Maya, and she would place her paws on her parents when they came home, all excited, licking the man's face and racing around the woman like it was the Fourth of July. Her joy when they were all together was contagious, and I wanted to feel like that some day.
However, I knew Maya's devotion could be my demise. I kept my distance, and so did Pepper and lots of others. This golden Rhodesian Ridgeback was as protective as the police. Once she almost killed a neighbor who was drunk and didn't understand her strength. She would willingly die for these two people. Actually she did, in an act of amazing sacrifice that mystifies me to this day.
In a matter of weeks after I came on the scene, she began to show signs of severe sickness. Her eyes were no longer filled with wonder; more and more she faltered, her vital signs failing. It was awful to see the people running to doctors with her, dressing her in warm coats and holding her in their arms trying to believe she would recover. No one knew what was wrong.
I heard the people argue. She was unable to intervene, or decide her fate. One day they left, the woman sobbing, while Maya marched, held her head high, wearing her beautiful green and gold coat. That was the last I ever saw her. When the people returned alone, I knew she had been killed. The woman's sorrow was a black cloud. Her heart would not ever be the same. Later, I found out she held Maya's head because she was too big to fit on the cold steel table where she died. The woman closed her own eyes, then Maya's. It was a scene that was horrible, but I didn't know until she told someone about it, much later. She went into shock. I didn't know tears could last so long.
My heart was clear, and I had plans. Hiding in filthy places, constantly searching for food wore me out, and running with this band of survivors was brutal. The owners who abandoned me also made sure I couldn't protect myself since they took off my fingers. Fighting and remaining in one place for long periods of time made me angry. However, I am cunning and exile was not for me.
At least the ground was beginning to thaw. The woman who was so upset had a deck in her backyard. She thought about Maya and all the reasons she loved her. I watched. I waited. When it warmed up, I would play in the yard because the dog was gone and could no longer chase me away. Oh, what a relief from the grind of hiding in that concrete garage. I danced before the woman, but she only glanced in my direction. Maya's spirit was working together with me to achieve my goal. I felt her energy.
There she sat, staring on a blue and white lounge chair in the back yard. Sometimes she was reading, and then her eyes went blank. They looked empty, floating into space. Feral cats emerged from under the deck, pleased the dog was gone. She hardly noticed.
I hid in the huge oak tree beside the fence, watching her. My coat was wasting away; the ferals ate anything but I was at a disadvantage. With no hands, I could not fight them for anything. Not for food, water, or escape a fight simply because they were bored.
Waiting for the woman to come outside was an ordeal. I needed to place myself right in front of those dismal eyes and show her mine. My green eyes are alluring. Part of the plan was to race into her arms and take her off guard. I did. Exactly as I hoped, she held me and I was on my back in her lap to show her how I much we needed one another. Yes, I was an opportunist, but she had to have a different kind of love. I needed her to love me back.
It is true that love at first sight doesn't last most of the time. Except I had my eye on her for months. I conspired. I didn't want her dog to die but I didn't want to live in a garage, or up a tree, hiding and protecting myself forever either.
One day, when I was exceptionally well behaved, she invited me inside her house. After checking it out thoroughly, I knew she would be a wonderful mother, and a friend forever. She did not know this though, and I had to convince her. This was not easy. She was all caught up in the Maya drama, and everyone told her to get another dog. Yet she invited me inside sometimes, but never gave me food. This was a problem. Oh, I was hungry!
On a Sunday afternoon, she came home with big bags. She gave me our signature whistle and I came running in. Out came a litter box, another bag with organic cat food; my favorite. There were bowls, and small hard chunks of chicken with flaxseed. At first, I didn't eat so much. Now I yell when my bowl is not full and she laughs and fills it up. I drink from a glass on a lovely dining room table, no plastic for me in the kitchen. I am spoiled. Being loved this way has made me a king, which proves once again my plans were perfect.
It wasn't all rosy. I knew she would never let me outside again. Her friends said that since I had no front claws I could not protect myself from the many ferals who were creating a cult under the deck. Still, I can see outside from all the windows, and we play with weird objects that get me all excited, then drowsy. She buys me more and more things. Her sister sent me the softest bed I have ever had and it matches me! Deep grey, with midnight purple. It even has pillows. Curling up there is plain heaven and I know Maya agrees and approves.
Quite attractive, I am solid grey with green eyes. My loyalty is solid also, especially to the woman and the man who live in the house together. That is why I am called Theo van Gogh; I admire them unconditionally. She saved my life; I saved hers. Now they both brush me, head to toe, each day. I purr just because. Everything is perfect for me. Now I have four beds!
I bought her, her house and her husband. Just as I had wanted so badly. Two years later, I am happy and healthy. They had a female pet that was a dog. Now they have a male who is a cat. Often, they call me Maya. I don't mind, nor does Maya. In fact it is a compliment. Perhaps I cannot bark and be protective. But when she is sick, I am beside her constantly. If she is sad, I lick her hands.
I am an excellent companion, and meet them at the door whenever they return, and I can speak more than I ever could before in my ex-family without being clobbered. It is liberating. Even though I can't go outside any longer, I can sit in the windows and have a safe place with a family that belongs to me.