Crossing Over...

I have discovered that the death of a pet is often called "crossing over."  I am not sure what this would refer to as they don't really cross over anywhere.  Any critical thinking human being would debate that an animal has some sort of soul.  But they were not created in the image and likeness of God, nor do they have the ability to reason.  They simply don't think the way we do, nor do they laugh out loud. They operate off of instinct only.  So, it's not likely they are crossing over to a valley of Pet Heaven as a reward for loving their Creator. 

Nonetheless, the death  of a pet is one of the most painful experiences one can have. 

Tonight my cat is one step closer to crossing over.  The range of emotions I feel is uncanny.  I ask myself, "Did I make the  right decision to let him die naturally?  Should I have put him down sooner when he wasn't so out of it?  Why did I wait till Labor Day Weekend, when the open vet centers are clearly out for profit only?" 

We have been given dominion over our animal kingdom.  It is a gift we must hold carefully.  It allows us to mirror the compassionate nature of God.  But the fact remains that an animal, while they rely on you for care and feeding, and yes, love, is still an animal.  Emotions...  confusion... It is difficult to understand this responsibility and gift, given that an animal does not have a soul.

To know the compassionate nature of God is to be a better caregiver to those creatures and human beings we love.  But to truly know the mindset of God is impossible, since we are a mirrored image only, and we are not God.  And so, in my emotional state, as I try desperately to do the right thing, especially the right thing by God,  I can only turn to Him for assistance.  I give him my sorrow, my mistakes, my weakness and my lack of wisdom in the final hours of my cat's life. 

This may all sound sappy and unattractive to someone who does not share a love for animals.  Plenty of people don't.  But for me and millions of others, the death of something that has given you great joy and companionship, is difficult.  Plain and simple. 

This is for Simon:  my beautiful black and white cat who I will miss. I will miss his snow white fur directly under his chin, and the loving kindness and joy he gave to anyone who would pet him.  Not a pushy cat, just a lovely cat, named after St. Peter, rock of our Holy Church. 

I only hope that the animal kingdom, one of God's creative masterpieces, will be available to us in Heaven.  I would like to be the baby who lays his hand once again, not upon the adder, but upon Simon, my sweet, 13-year-old black and white cat. 

Our Week in 7 Quick Takes

1.  Okay, this is my first attempt at linking to another blog.  I'm supposed to post this on Friday or perhaps by the end of the weekend.  Jen @Conversion Diary hosts this, so here I go -


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2.  The week started off with my daughter's First Communion and Confirmation celebration weekend.  To watch all that she experienced was a spiritual high for me all week, especially since she wanted to sneak off to mass every day.  We managed to accomplish mass quite a bit, in between a slight bout of stomach flu on Wednesday.  My friend suggested that Our Lord was detoxing her 60-pound little body!!!!

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3.  As a home school mom, I am forever playing catch up.  This week I was able to catch my 5th grader up with a couple of long sessions on the Constitution of the United States.  I learned something  - again.  The beauty of home teaching is that you re-learn what many others have forgotten.

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4.  It's been very windy here.  I am thankful for the cool air, just before the heat sets in and fries our toes. 


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5.  Discernment is a daily process in my life.  God keeps me guessing.  This week, the book thing kept coming up.  I have a book I want to write, but its premise will be very time consuming, with much research.  With four of my five children still in progress before their official nest launch, I have little time for writing a book.  Nevertheless, with God, all things are possible.  So I am slowly moving forward.  If the process is smooth and I find peace in the effort, I will know that now is the time.

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6.  We are chiseling away at some long-overdue projects.  There is peace in that, too, as some very minor closure is taking place.

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7.  But my greatest reflection on the week is in regards to a wonderful gift my children received.  After nearly spending a year taming a feral cat who became pregnant in the process, my children finally met her 5 1/2 week old kittens.  "Moma," as she is fondly called, literally brought us her babies directly to our doorstep, where my children and I have been feeding her. 

This has been long in coming.  A feral cat is mean.  But slowly, Moma warmed up to my children, after much diligent effort on their part, dropping morsels of food in long lines, until Moma eventually entered our home.  Quickly, out she would dart.  This scenario repeated many times, and eventually Moma allowed them to pet her on our porch.  Her pregnancy progressed, and patiently the children waited for the birth of her babies.  Finally, she disappeared for two days.  She returned daily after that, thin, of course, and less frequently at first.  Her visits throughout the day increased, more and more frequently to be fed and loved.  At the end of this week, Moma had escorted her kittens to our doorstep, almost in an effort to tell us she needed help in feeding them.  Noticeably, she had grown thinner in the past two weeks, as the demands of babies' appetites grew. 

When the babies arrived on Friday, we quickly took them in.  Moma soon followed, allowing us to help her into the box, so that she could periodically nurse them in the comfort of our home.  No more nursing under the dark and low shed of our neighbor's backyard.  And food, namely moistened Kitten Chow, was plentiful in our Garden of Paradise. 

This was absolutely the highlight of the week, knowing God's own creatures can grow ever so close as to trust the very dominion He has given to us, over His animal kingdom.

What a great week!