Hi everyone. Here I am, Maverick, with another edition of “Cat Tales.” I’m going to do things a little differently for this column. I usually give health updates on my mom and me first, but today, I am going to do that last.
The other night I was reading something online, and I want to share it with you. It was someone saying that cats see their loved human family as bigger cats. As in they are cats too. I couldn’t believe that. We do not see our human family as large cats. My mom doesn’t have four legs, a tail, or whiskers. She is a human being with two legs. She drives a car. I don’t know of a cat that drives or does the stuff humans can do. We’re a different species altogether. That article frustrated me, and it made me wonder if he was on something when writing it. I can’t imagine seeing my mom as a large cat. It kind of gives me the cat giggles.
I’ve been thinking a lot about life recently, and I want to share some of my thoughts and views with you.
Life is short so embrace it. Try to make each day special and always treat others with dignity and respect. Use the love word often and mean it. Don’t forget to show love to your pet family or strays that may come to your home.
Humans seem to complain a lot. They yell at each other over the most foolish and simple things. They slam doors, pout like kids, and raise their voices. If any of you do these things, I know how to make things better. Always remember that Jesus is in the room with you. Maybe you can’t see him, but he’s there. My mom told me that she is a very visual person so she sees Jesus at a table, by our window, and she’s talking while he’s listening to her. If you can picture Jesus like that and know he’s where you are, then hopefully you won’t do any of the above things. Can you imagine Jesus seeing you pouting, slamming doors, and yelling at each other? Please don’t do these things. Jesus is love, and He wants us to love everyone.
Please be kind to animals. I wouldn’t be here today if my mom hadn’t rescued me. Get to know us. We all have different personalities and needs. Some people get a cat or dog, but then they’re never home, and we get lonely. Always make sure there is food, plenty of water available, and toys to play with. Give us lots of love and snuggles. Not every cat likes to snuggle, but I do. Snuggles are the best. It’s a great thing to do to de-stress after a hard day. We’re not objects; we’re family, and we want to be treated with lots of love.
My mom saw her doctor’s assistant the other day. He says that her knee is doing well after her total knee replacement. The one thing she still has an issue with is being able to put the back of her knee flat against the bed. When she first started physical therapy she was an 18 when they measured her. She needs to be a zero. She has gotten down to a 3, but she can’t seem to get beyond that. We’re all rooting for her. Her main physical therapist told her to get a new order for more therapy, and she did. If her insurance company approves it, maybe she can get the back of her knee to a zero which would be cattastic.
On to me. While my mom was at the orthopedic hospital for her appointment, she had dropped me off at my doctor for more blood tests. As soon as she was done she came back to get me. The test results weren’t good. My blood pressure was low, and I am now in full kidney failure. My thyroid is out of control. She put me back on the thyroid meds and twice a week now my mom will take me to get IV fluids under my skin. I look like a camel with humps when I get that. In other words, I’m a mess. I heard my mom ask the doctor if I would make it to the end of the year, and she shook her head and said she didn’t think so. I think it’s going to be much sooner.
With that being said I want to say a few things. The first is I am extremely grateful to Mark, my boss, for giving me the chance of a lifetime in allowing me to write for all of you. It has been the most wonderful experience. I can’t tell you how much it has meant to me. My mom brags to everyone that she has a cat who is a writer. She is so proud of me, and I of her.
I want to thank all of my fans who commented, liked me on Facebook, and sent me fan mail to my email address. I feel so honored that you took the time to do that. I had so much fun answering. I feel like I have a ton of friends and most of you I have never met. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my column and putting a happy face on this little cat.
And now I want to thank my fans. Mittens, Lil, Spooky, Buddy, Patrick, Friday, Lani, Stubbs, Leonard, Mr. Simon, Chica, Miles, and there are so many more. I apologize that I can’t remember all the names at this time, but know it has been a pleasure getting to know you. A special thank you goes to my best friends Spaghetti Betty, Oliver, and Oscar. You three have meant so much to me, and I am comforted that we will see each other again someday. Spaghetti Betty, keep working on your clothing designs. Your creations are beautiful. I am so glad we met. Oliver and Archie, you two need to behave, and yet have fun. It’s okay to be ornery, but always remember to be kind to each other and everyone you meet. You both have been the best invisible friends a cat could have. I felt like your big brother and it was an honor.
Now on to my mom. Mom, I wish this weren’t happening so soon. I know we had hoped that we had more time together, but sometimes things don’t work out like we want them to. Just know I would stay with you forever if I could. I know you are already grieving and that you are trying to cry quietly so as not to upset me, but mom, it’s okay to grieve. We have had almost 13 years together. When the veterinarian you took me to at the time you found me wanted to put me down, you told him that if there was any way that he could make me well then do it, because you wanted me to know that there were good people in this world. I had been shot and in congestive failure, but your love made me well. I remember you telling me when I couldn’t walk or crawl onto your lap while you were sitting on the floor with me, that you would pick me up and carry me for the rest of my life, if that was how things turned out. Luckily, you didn’t have to do that. You have too many health issues – you may have dropped me.
Mom, I want you to promise me you will go to the humane shelter and find another cat. You have told me you’ve never been alone, and I know how hard it is on me when you just have to go to an appointment. I don’t like being alone either. So that’s an order from me to you. You need company, and there are so many cats that need the kind of love you offer. It won’t be me, but you will have a chance to meet another cat with another personality. Take time to get to know him and love him like you did me. If I know you as well as I think I do, then you will pick out a male cat. I remember you saying that male cats always seemed a little more ornery than the female cats you had in the past, and they forced you to get out of bed in the morning.
One more thing mom, ever since you had your last surgery, you have been tooting a whole lot. Whenever I toot, you say, ‘Maverick, did you just toot?” In the future, whenever you toot, think of me, and put a big ole’ smile on your face. It’s okay to laugh while grieving.
This may or may not be my last column I write. I don’t know for sure. But I wrote this one today as a good-bye so I could tell everyone how much I love you and how much this column has meant to me. I didn’t want to pass on without being able to say these things to you, my friends. It’s been an honor getting to know you. From my heart to yours, thank you.
Today’s quote: “The littlest feet make the biggest footprints in our hearts.” – Unknown
Thank you, my friends. Until we meet again.
Love Always, Maverick
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Love you Maverick….from Buddy Hoping you don’t cross that rainbow bridge too soon, but you will be met with so many animal friends and you will be able to watch over mama Laurie and your spirits will be linked forever.
Thank you, Buddy. Thanks for the kind messages and fan mail over the years. You are my friend.
Love Maverick
Oh, Sweet Maverick. You are such a lover and feline companion to your mom. You are unforgettable and will be missed.
Love, Auntie Lynn
Thank you for saying that. I have loved my life, And I will miss it and all the people I have met and heard from. All except the person who shot me, of course.
Love Maverick
And Aunty Lynn, I will miss our cuddles.
Maverick, I am heart broken over the thought of you not being around much longer. Mom says none of us know when it’s our turn to leave this earth. We need to be grateful for the time we’ve had and for the other cats and humans we have met along our journey.
I hope you have a few more “Cat Tales” to share before it’s time for you to go. I do enjoy my mom reading them to me. I love it when she asks if I want to play office afterwards, so I can be her boss and I can dictate a note back to you.
I know how much you and your mom love each other. Just like my mom and me. I know your mom gave you a wonderful life. Even when the vet wanted to give up on you. She knew you had more life to live and adventures to have. And to think you became a writer (famous in my book!)
You have made so many friends and we will all miss you.
So my friend, Happy Tales to you, until we meet again.
Love you,
Spooky and my mom
Thank you Spooky for being a fan. If I had ever met you, we would have had lots of fun. Enjoy life, and maybe someday we will meet on the other side. But not too soon.
Love Maverick
Maverick,
I’m glad I got to meet you and spend time with you and your mom after her surgery. I loved your cuddles. They are unforgettable.
I love you Maverick!
Auntie Cheryl
Thank you, Aunty Cheryl, and thank you for taking such good care of my mom. I loved hearing you guys laugh. Please pray for my mom.
Love Maverick
Hello Maverick. You don’t know me but we have a mutual friend. My dad, Mark, is your editor. He told me and my brother, Stewie, about your situation and to be honest I didn’t understand it. I’m just a year old so my older brother, who’s seven, explained it to me. I understand it now. I’m sorry to hear that. My dad used to read your articles to me and my brother and I have gotten to know you and your mom quite well.
I can only imagine that your mom is very distraught over this news. I feel for her, too. I know she’s a strong Christian woman. My dad is Christian, too, and he’s told us that when our time on Earth is done that we will go to Heaven. He says that because I’m a cat I don’t have the capability to understand who God is. Because of that I’m an innocent, but as one of God’s creatures I have a straight line to heaven. That’s something your mom would understand that would give her some peace at this time.
During the time you have left I can bet that your mom will be smothering you with love and you’ll be loving her back. I know your mom loves you and this is going to be very hard on her. You’re probably like me and don’t understand what’s going on, but just love mom back and curl up with her every chance you get.
I’m going to miss hearing my Dad read your articles to me. They were interesting, funny, serious…political! But they were always fun to hear. Even though we’ve never met I will miss you. Godspeed Maverick!
Dear Archie
I feel like I know you already because your dad sent pictures of you and your brother looking out the window at all the snow one time. You’re both so cute. Thank you very much for writing a comment. It’s all starting to make me sad. Life is hard sometimes. I wonder sometimes why we’re put here on Earth in the first place if we have to leave it some day. I’d much rather spend it with my mom, but I know I can’t.
You and Stewie have the best dad. He gave me a job at his paper. It meant the world to me. My mom would tell everyone she met that I was a writer, even her doctors. She was so proud of me and grateful to your dad. It never felt like a boring job or one I never wanted to do. It was exciting. I had my own desk and writing outfit.
Archie, you and Stewie, love each other always and your family, too. Keep close to your loved ones, and don’t forget to be ornery and have some fun along the way. Always remember you are loved just like me, and loving others is the best gift in the world. I’m going to go snuggle with my mom now. Take care.
Love Maverick