Does God Care About Cats?

This past Friday we had quite a scare with Boudreaux, Boo's “four legged son” and fearless tiger cat. Boudreaux developed a virus and quickly became a very sick cat. Boo was inconsolable. This was his cat, his favorite companion.

On the advice of some friends who raise horses, I called the vet school...which, as it turns out, is only a few miles away. (It also has very reasonable rates. Thank goodness!) After describing Boudreaux's symptoms, we made a trip to have the poor cat checked. Originally, they wanted to keep Boudreaux for a few days. Boo's tears and great distress at being separated from his “son” for even a few days, got Boudreaux a reprieve. Instead, he got fluids and a blood transfusion---the cat, not Boo. A few tests were run. Some medication was dispensed for me to administer. And we were sent home.

Besides the medications, I had to give Boudreaux a mixture of chicken baby food, boiled water and Knox gelatin every two hours with a child's medicine dropper because the cat did NOT want anything. By Sunday, the little cat began to look more like himself and continues to improve. He has begun to rise from Boo's side to slowly explore his surroundings again for short periods of time. Now, if Boo stays away from Boudreaux longer than the cat would like, he meows pitifully and Boo will all but break his neck to get back to his cat. And I thought the two were inseparable before!

As a result of his virus, Boudreaux has a terrible case of dermatitis. His handsome red fur coat is rather bedraggled. There are several spots that are bald. If he doesn't stop licking, he may develop a few more. Tomorrow when Boudreaux has his follow up appointment, they'll address that issue. From tests that have already been run, we know that his skin problems aren't caused by ringworm. The guess the other night was dehydration. I'll be so glad when Boo's little tiger cat is healthy again!

(For those who might wish to know, Boudreaux does not have anything that is contagious to humans. He is up to date on all his shots and has never been sick in the past.)

Boudreaux's illness created a crisis of faith for Boo. This cat has been Boo's companion since his third stroke. And in many cases, a saving grace. When Boo wouldn't talk or answer questions about himself, he would talk about his cat. When he wouldn't work on strengthening his left hand, he could be enticed to brush Boudreaux with his left hand. Today, Boo sat outside on the deck and took a short walk only because Boudreaux needed fresh air. Boudreaux has been a safety net for Boo. I catch Boo telling Boudreaux his thoughts, especially when he's confused. Boo would be lost without his cat's company.

Boo wanted a prayer for his cat. Not just any prayer, but a special prayer for cats. There are no prayers specifically for cats in the prayer books we have. I did find several prayers for animals in a rural life prayer book in EWTN's archives. I thought spontaneous prayers would be great and Boo did too. Later, he was able to explain that he didn't want to forget anything. He didn't want to take any chances with his precious cat. That's why he wanted a written prayer. He forgets too often what he means to say. That makes sense.

Next Boo wanted me to immediately call our parish church and have Boudreaux put on the list of sick. I resisted. Finally, I called to let Boo talk to one of the priests. Boo was assured that God does indeed care for all His creatures and that the health and well being of all companion animals would be prayed for on Sunday. He also prayed with Boo on the phone.

Yesterday one of the priests at our parish called to check on Boo and Boudreaux and to let Boo know that prayers were offered. He even offered to come to the house, but Boo declined his offer. Boo thought visitors might upset Boudreaux. Nevertheless, that unexpected follow up call meant more to Boo than that priest will ever know.

Boo's faith has been restored. Someone cares about him and his cat. Someone took his concern seriously...and they even remembered Boudreaux's name! I appreciate a priest in our very busy parish taking the time ensure that Boo knew that his concerns were important. What a blessing!

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Good and Perfect Gifts

 

Every day brings so many blessings, so many things for which to be thankful.  One of our bedtime rituals is to recount our blessings.  Boo is particularly fond of "doing our blessings."  Focusing on blessings at the close of our day is a wonderful way to fix our focus.  Some evenings, we forget...and on those evenings we usually find that Boo's night confusion is far worse.  Could it be that fixing his focus on gratitude to God for all the blessings He has given us, gives Boo's mind a more stable foundation?  We think so.



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No Looking Back

“ Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.”

Blessed John Paul II

In no way are the decisions I've made the right decisions for everyone. God will guide each of us to make the decisions that are best for us and for our loved ones...at that moment. Please turn to Him for ultimate guidance. What I share is based on my experience. God loves you and your loved one. He alone knows what is best in your unique situation.

I remember the day Boo had his second stroke. That was the day our lives changed irrevocably. We'd been married less than two months and our commitment to each other and our marriage was tested.

I knew that my responsibility was taking the best care of Boo that I could. At the time, I really didn't know just what that would look like. I was sure that after Boo had a brief rehabilitation at home, I'd be able to return to work and our lives would return to normal.

That was my plan.

That was not what happened.

It became apparent to Boo's doctor, his therapists and to me that he simply wouldn't be able to handle eight to nine hours alone so that I could return to work full time. In fact, he couldn't handle three or four hours alone.

This time my resolve to stay home with Boo and care for him was stronger. I wasn't sure just how we were going to make our limited budget stretch to meet our basic needs. I did know that was a minor consideration and one that we'd manage somehow.

The larger consideration was my commitment and my willingness to learn ways to care for Boo that were supportive and that would not diminish his sense of self worth. This was and remains a learning experience for me.

All along the way, there have been choices. Do I want to continue to care for Boo at home? Absolutely and resoundingly, I do. Is being cared for at home best for Boo? This decision I make with input from Boo's doctors, therapists and from friends who see and interact with both of us frequently. Currently, the answer is yes...with some reservations from one of his current doctors because she feels that I am too young to “be trapped at home with an invalid.” (She also believes that dementia patients are always best cared for in an institutional setting.)

For Boo, for me, for now...being at home is the best option.

Our future is in God's Hands. Only He knows what lies ahead.

I choose to look forward not at the past. I cannot dwell on the I-wish and the we-planned themes. I choose to focus on what I believe God wants me to do...today.

Sometimes I succeed. Sometimes I don't.

Thankfully I serve a forgiving God...Who loves me as I am, where I am. And Who prods me to go forward.

How do you make decisions about what is best for your loved one?

Pray...first and foremost...and continually.

Talk to your loved one. Involve him or her in the decision making process as much as possible.

Ask for advice from your loved one's medical providers and from those who know you well.

Find and use the resources in your community.

Find or create a support group for yourself and for your loved one.

Make the necessary decisions...knowing that no decision is final. If what you try first doesn't work, modify your plan.

If your loved one is not yet at a point that these decisions are immediate, start talking. Start looking at options. Start making tentative plans. It is far easier to make these plans together now than to try to do so when you are emotionally distraught.

It is my prayer that the God Who loves us,

Who forgives us,

Who catches us when we fall,

Who carries us when we can walk no longer,

will guide each of us

as we struggle to find His best for us and for our loved one.

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Unveiled Wife

Come To Me

"Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest."       Matthew 11:28

When Boudreaux was a little kitten, he played and played until he was exhausted.  Boo would call him and Boudreaux would  muster enough energy to run to him for a bottle and to be gently eased to sleep.  Isn't that the way it is with us?  We rush around and busy ourselves with mundane things until we're exhausted.  Jesus calls us to come to Him for rest and for refreshment.  Let's answer His call, rest in Him and awake to serve Him.

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I Can Do It!

“I can do it!”

His insistent tone let me know that my assistance was unwanted right then. So, I watched and waited...and waited. Finally, I heard a rather tired and somewhat confused voice calling out.

“Can you help me?”

Because I want Boo to be as independent as possible, some of my time is spent watching and waiting. And waiting is just not easy! Not for me, anyway. I want to fix. I want everything to go smoothly. I want to nurture. I do not want to wait.

And so, many times you'll find me standing in the hall crocheting. Or praying a decade of the rosary. Or impatiently dancing from foot to foot. This morning I sat on my hands. Whatever it takes to keep myself from interfering.

If I could leave Boo alone and not have to watch him struggle, I wouldn't mind how long it took him to accomplish simple tasks. Some days that's a possibility. Most days it isn't. Boo is often unsteady or confused. He needs someone to watch and steady him...and to catch him when he starts to fall.

Sitting on my hands, my mind was furiously working. And then, I realized just how appropriate the tableau in front of me was.

How many times does God “sit on His hands” watching me struggle until I finally ask for help? How many times does He reach out to steady me ? How many times does God catch me as I fall?

“For everyone that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be openned.”

Luke 11:10 Douray-Rheims

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