Beyond words

Scowt-T with the loud mouth

I used to work in a single story brick building on a road that was a major thoroughfare back in the 50’s.  Know the ones I’m talking about?  They’re long and flat with these long skinny windows that don’t even open.  The carpets are worn in patterns made from the feet of workers used to traveling the same paths over and over, the office equipment is from 1923 and the desks are all metal.  These buildings are not equipped with the best gadgets, but unlike new construction buildings, you couldn’t hear through the walls.  They were brick, not drywall.  I suppose to complete the picture, I should tell you that I worked in a male dominated industry- me being the only girl and the youngest by at least 10 years or more.  And the only vegan.  But that’s a story for another day.

One day, while inside the brick prison, I heard the loudest cat meow I’ve ever heard.  I traced the sound to the engine of my car parked out front of the building.  I popped the hood and coaxed a terrified, screaming kitty out of my engine.  And once I did, I saw that she had been abused.

I won’t bore you with the details of the emergency vet visit, anyone who has had to take an injured kitty to the vet knows how it goes.  After it was all said and done, Scowt (can you guess which book I was reading when I “found” Scowt?) had several teeth missing (presumably from being kicked or hit directly in the mouth) that weren’t actually missing.  They had been embedded in the roof of her mouth.  They were removed, leaving Scowt with a lip curl similar to Elvis.  She also had a broken leg and other miscellaneous injuries.  Scowt spent the next couple of months in rehab for kitties and eventually, being the bruiser that she is, she recovered.  Not only did she recover, she never once let it slow her down.

Scowt lived with me for another 10 short years.  And yesterday, Scowt died in my arms.

To make a long story short, as I originally meant to do, Scowt suffered an aortic embolism November 2009 due to heart disease.  This paralyzed her from her waist down.  At that time, I was told that she wouldn’t survive- or that the chances were so slim that I needed to start thinking about “putting her down.”  But I didn’t.  With regular treatments of aspirin (do NOT try this with any kitty, you MUST talk to a vet before you give your kitty aspirin – DO NOT DO THIS WITHOUT PRIOR AUTHORIZATION FROM A TRAINED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL) Scowt regained the use of her bag legs and resumed to live her normal life.  Oh, she swung one her her legs more than the other, but that was the only indication that she had ever had an emoblism.  Scowt continued to amaze everyone, living another full year before signs of her heart condition reared it’s head again.  Only this time I wasn’t able to save her, and I held her while she went to sleep for the last time.

I’m so thankful for the extra time I had with Scowt.  And as sad and heartbroken as I am, I am reminded of the pure goodness that Scowt brought to my life.  Scowt nearly died at the hands of an abusive human and still, she survived.  Not only did she survive, she loved.  Scowt was a loving cat, quick to paw at you for a hug.  She was the only cat I’d ever met who put both her front arms around your neck and just snuggled into you.  She never lost her loud mouth- she screamed every morning for her breakfast and every evening for her food.  In fact, she was so regular at it, she let all the other animals know when it was feeding time.  I was so blessed to spend 10 short years with her.  I will miss her beyond words.

In between my grief (I can’t pick her food bowl up to wash and put away- I can’t look at her favorite chair…) I can’t help to think about the day I met Scowt.  Here’s this little tiny kitty, abused and neglected, and she trusted me (a human) to help her.  The repayment for my kindness and compassion?  Her undying love for the rest of her life.  How can (some) humans think that animals are incapable of having the same emotions as us?  When the proof, solid proof, that even kitties love- is right there in pictures of Scowt and I?  Animals deserve so much more.  The love they give enriches our lives, makes us better (more compassionate) people.

Rest in peace now Scowt, I will miss you forever.