 |
Timothy's Story
Lloyd
Timothy woke from his catnap. It was almost time for
his humans to arrive home from work and he wanted to
greet them at the door. He always received hugs and
patting from them when they came home. Timothy's humans
were "Empty Nesters" and Timothy had always received
plenty of attention from them. But things had changed
for the past month. His humans seemed to prefer eating
their supper in the den and listening to the evening
news on the television rather than paying attention to
him. He missed being held and patted. His humans kept
mentionning the words "terrorist" and "freedom". What
was a terrorist anyway and why were his humans so
preoccupied with reading the newspaper and watching the
evening news? Timothy knew that he had to find out
what was troubling his humans.
Gigi
While his Meowmie and Dad were watching TV, Timothy took
the opportunity to jump up on top of the television set
and lie on his belly while his long bushy tail fell in
front of the screen. His Meowmie had to smile as she
walked over to the TV and picked him up and went back to
the couch putting him on her lap. He looked into her eyes
as she started to pet him and...
Spike
and he saw fear. Timothy had never seen fear in his Meowmie's
eyes. He could feel how tense she was. This wasn't good.
Meowmie had been upset before but he didn't think he had ever
seen her this upset.
Searching through all his long memories, Timothy thought of
all the instances he had seen Meowmie afraid. There was that
time he had fallen into a deep hole in the backyard as a kitten
and the time he had been trapped in a tree. But he was fine and
Meowmie could see him so that wasn't the problem. Farfur
was sitting right next to Meowmie so she wasn't worried about
him. She had talked to all of the kids on the phone and
everything was fine with them.
Probing deeper into his memories Timothy remembered that
Halloween was coming up. That had to be it. Meowmie was
scared about Halloween. Timothy remembered it as being fun
last year except for the doorbell ringing a lot. Maybe a
real vampire had been discovered and that was the concern
on the TV.
Timothy stretched out for a nap with his head on Meowmie's
lap. Sleeping on a problem usually presented him with a way
to help. Yawn. Just a little nap and...
Gigi
everything would be alright.
Timothy wasn't sure how long he had been asleep, but when he
woke up both his Meowmie and Farfur seemed to be in exactly
the same positions they had been in before. "That's strange
thought Timothy. What could be so riveting on TV?"
Timothy stared at the TV screen himself for awhile. Maybe
Meowmie and Dad were watching one of those King Kong movies
...Weren't they the ones where those airplanes fly into the
skyscrapers?" Timothy found it hard to believe a movie they
had seen so many times before could be that fascinating.
Then something strange happened...
Conor
Oh no! He saw tears in his Meowmie's eyes and heard anger
in her voice. She was saying something about how could
anyone do that to other human beings? What could she be
talking about? He went over and looked at the TV...He
thought it was a movie until he heard the human voices
and the emotion in them. It must be real!
Timothy didn't understand what they were saying, but there
were tears in their eyes too...Humans were missing and
their kitties and doggies too.
Then the President came on and talked about finding some
bad humans and making sure justice would be done. Timothy
wasn't sure what justice was, but if the President said it,
it must be okay...This was so upsetting...
Lloyd
The following evening Timothy's Meowmie was watching the
TV again. Over and over, Timothy watched a plane smash into
one of the towers. Finally, his Meowmie said to him, "That is
all I can stand. I need to get back to my life. The news
is so repetitive and upsetting. Those poor people. I am glad
that some of them were able to get out of the towers. But,
so many have perished. She petted Timothy and said, I have
been neglecting you and my friends and family.
Timothy mewed to his Meowmie to explain some words to him
like terrorists and ground zero. His Meowmie began to tell
Timothy that terrorists were bad men who meant harm to the
United States and that ground zero refered to the debris
that the workers were digging through to find survivors and
that policemen and firemen were being heroes trying to rescue
some of the people before the towers collapsed. Some of these
heroes were in the towers rescuing people and they had been
buried in the buildings' debris along with the people still
inside of the towers.
"How awful, Timothy thought. Those people are buried alive.
I hope that they can dig them out."
Timothy's Meowmie put him down on the sofa and began to start
supper for them and his Deowdie. Timothy rubbed against his
Meowmie's legs and mewed to her...
Twist
Two months passed very quickly. The horrible events of
September 11 did not fade. But, many other things were
happening. Timothy and his family continued to watch the
events on TV, but things sort of returned to normal. It
is hard to feel terribly involved when you are so far away
from the actual events and happenings.
That does not mean that Timothy and his family were not
feeling and uncaring. Just that they had to do their best
not to let the terrible events keep them from living in fear.
They trusted the President and all of the Government TopCats
who would do what was needed to get rid of those who would
destroy the parts of the world that they did not like.
So, life continued... Different but it continued...
Lloyd
It was now November and Timothy and his humans were starting
to think about the upcoming holidays. Deowdie and Meowmie
still had their jobs. Many people had lost their jobs
because of the economy. Also, because of the airline
transportation security, Meowmie and Timothy's human
sisfur Rhon decided to drive to Florida for their vacation to
visit Meowmie's sister. Meowmie was apprehensive about flying.
She wanted to wait until security at the airport was finalized.
Meowmie left for Florida and Timothy was left alone with
Deowdie who had lost interest in news events about September 11.
He had begun to watch his favorite shows again on TV and held
Timothy on his lap as he did so. Timothy felt very secure
but still missed his Meowmie. Finally, she came home and
Timothy mewed to her to pick him up.
"Oh, my Timothy, Meowmie said to him, I missed you and your
Deowdie. I am happy to be home. I visited with your human
nephew,my grandson Don, for a few nights and he drove us into
Washington, DC last night where I saw the Lincoln Memorial all
lit up. It was beautiful. He also drove us around the city
and I saw the Capitol, the White House, Washington Monument and
the Jefferson Memorial. They were beautiful. I enjoyed Lincoln's
Memorial the best. It reminded me of Martin Luther King who had
given his "I Have A Dream" speech on the top of those stairs with
a crowd of people listening below. He gave thanks to God for his
freedom. People in the United States must never forget what
America means to us. Our country was founded on freedom in 1776
and I have many Revolutionary War patriots in my family line.
You are named after one of them."
Timothy purred and mewed to his Meowmie, "We are having two
holidays this month. We should do something special on them.
One of them has the delicious aroma of turkey and the other...
Myste
It was hard for Timothy to understand what was going on. His
Meowmie and Farfur still were very interested in all the Mews
on TV, but, as time went on, they seemed to relax a little. He
was concerned about the pets, cats and d*gs alike that were lost
or hurt. He was furry glad to hear of the MamaCat who was
found with her new kittens many days after the day of terror in
the basement of a restaurant on the Plaza.
His Meowmie assured him they were safe from attacks as anyone
could be. There was always the remote possibility of these
terrible things happening anywhere, but the Panhandle of
Oklahoma was far from anything as important as the two towers
in the big east and the military headquarters. ( Such big words
and strange places.)
Anyway, Timothy and his family continued to watch and follow
the news, with life returning to a semblance of normalcy.
But, there was always a little bit of fear in Meowmie's eyes
as she listened to and watched the news.
Things were really far from "normal".
Gigi
At night instead of sitting in the livingroom watching a funny
show or movie on TV, it seemed now that all Meowmie and Farfur
wanted to watch was the news. Usually in November at Thanksgiving
time, the house was always full of relatives from all over the
country. But Timothy had overheard that this time of year some
of them were afraid to get on an airplane...
GK
And then he saw a scene on television of a rescue worker carrying
a cat out of a badly damaged building...The cat was dirty and
it's fur was scruffy. Timothy saw the cat raise his head and
lick the burly man who carried him. The reporter was saying that
this cat had been in a building near (those strange words again)
"ground zero" but, had survived for days and days without food
and water, living a tiny pocket of air for breathing.
Timothy knew that cats are survivors. More important to him
was the wonderful smile that this cat had brought to the
bone-weary rescue worker with just a lick on his chin and
a quiet purr.
Lloyd
Timothy purred to his human folks, "Isn't that wonderful
that a kitty cat got to thank and purr to one of the rescue
workers. We kitties are survivors. Humans should respect
our survival skills. Life is too short to give up hope for
America. America will survive because all of the people who
live on this great land of ours have been survivors for centuries."
Meowmie patted Timothy and said, "You are absolutely correct
in saying that. Thanksgiving will soon be here. It is time
for a family celebration. Let's start making a list and call
our children. If they do not want to fly, well, then they can
drive to our house." Meowmie started to make her calls. Timothy
and Deowdie smiled at each other as she did.
"Hmmm, Timothy thought. A family celebration. How exciting!"
Lloyd
Meowmie put down the phone. She was smiling. "Everyone
is coming, she said. All of them told me that they would be
here on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Our family will be
together. I can't wait! I am glad that we never sold this
old house. We have plenty of bedrooms for our gang."
Deowdie came over and held Meowmie. Timothy noticed that both
of them had tears in their eyes. The fear had left Meowmie's
eyes and was replaced by tears of happiness. Timothy mewed
at them and rubbed against their legs. Meowmie picked him up
and all three of them were very happy to be just holding on to
each other. Timothy thought to himself that maybe Meowmie and
Deowdie would forget about the evening news and the reports of
the war in Afghanistan. America and family were more important
now. He mewed to Meowmie..."
Buddee
"I am glad that mew are happy again."
His Meowmie looked down at Timothy and said, "I wonder little one
do mew really understand?"
Timothy looked at her, his eyes soft and glowing and he tried to
let her know that he understood what had happened. He knew that
a lot of families would not have such a wonderful Thanksgiving
as his and that a lot of people would be very sad. He was
thankful that his family would be all together and he sighed
happily , then looked up and said, "While we are giving thanks
though, we must also ask that the world would be a safe and
peaceful place to live and that those people did not die in vain."
Gently, his Meowmie looked at him and said..."
Lloyd
"Timothy, thank you for reminding me about peace. You do
understand. Yes! We need the world to be a safer place.
Deowdie and I are going to make sure that our world is safer
by sending donations to the firemen, policemen and the Red Cross
in our family's name to help the people who have lost loved
ones. I am so happy that my family is safe and that we will
be able to have some quality family time together for the
holiday."
Timothy purred to his Meowmie,..."
Lloyd
"Will you please send in donations in my name to the kitties
who were found at "Ground Zero"?
"Of course, we will, Meowmie replied. Now we must start
preparing for your human sisfurs, brofurs, nieces, nephews
and aunts and uncles. We will have a full house for Thanksgiving
dinner. I can hardly wait. My family is very important to
me and I am happy that all of them are alive and well. My
heart goes out to the families who will have empty seats at
their Thanksgiving tables."
Deowdie joined in the conversation by saying..."
Lloyd
"I am glad that we can start to live our lives normally again.
We need to get over the horror of 9-11. Our family and friends
are more important to us now than ever before. We must give
thanks for them." All three hugged one another after Deowdie
said this.
Thanksgiving Day finally arrived and Timothy could smell the
wonderful aroma of turkey in the household. All of the family
had arrived safely two days before. The house was full of
laughter and excitement. Everyone had caught up on the family
gossip and just enjoyed being with one another. 9-11 had been
spoken of when they first arrived and how it had affected all of
their lives. They had spotted so many flags in their travels.
Flags were on vehicles, road sign boards, stores and homes.
They had been raised to full staff now as thirty days of
mourning were over after the events of 9-11. The President
was advising people to get on with their lives, to travel and
enjoy family and friends. The country had pulled together.
All that was on the news were the reports of bombings and fighting
in Afghanistan. Life was beginning to take on a new "heightened"
normalcy. People had even begun their holiday shopping.
Timothy was happy with having the family visit. He purred
to his Meowmie..."
McGee
"I used to dislike so many people in the house at the
same time. Now because of 9-11 I realize how important
your family is to you and Deowdie. They are my family too.
I wouldn't even mind if they visited for Christmas. This
big house sure holds a lot of love."
Meowmie hugged and petted Timothy and told him..."
Shibui
..."I would love for all our family to be together at
Christmas, too. I wished we all lived closer together,
because it's so difficult and expensive for everyone to
travel so far. Aunt Dorothy invited us to Florida for
Christmas, but your Deowdie and I think it's best that we
spend the holidays at home with you.
Timothy purred louder as he cuddled closer to his Meowmie.
"Can we still do something special for Christmas?" he asked.
"Of course, his Meowmie replied. What do you have in mind?"
Timothy thought for a minute before he replied..."
McGee
"I enjoyed having the family visit. It is so quiet here
with just me, you and Deowdie. I am getting on in age.
Do you think that you and Deowdie might adopt the cat Ruffles
that we have been sponsoring at the Humane Society? I
would not mind sharing this large home with a new sisfur
or brofur. I would help in getting the new cat adjusted
to our home. Christmas time is for love, sharing and
giving to others. Let's share our love and home with
Ruffles."
"Hmm, Meowmie replied. Just maybe we could think about
that. Let's ask Deowdie what he thinks." Deowdie was in
the livingroom watching TV again. He was checking on the
war in Afghanistan. All of the family had left for their
homes and the house was quiet again except for the sound
of the TV.
Meowmie said to Deowdie..."
McGee
Timothy would like to adopt Ruffles, our sponsored cat
at the Humane Society. What do you think about that as she
is only a few years old and Timothy is an older cat? He
volunteered his assistance in helping her to adjust to
our home.
Deowdie replied, "That sounds like a good idea. Timothy is
home alone during the day. Ruffles will be good company for
him...and for us! Why don't you call the society to make an
appointment to visit Ruffles."
Timothy was excited. "Can mew come?"
"Oh, Timothy, Meowmie said. I do not think that the society
allows cat visitors. Deowdie and I will visit her to see
about adopting her. We certainly have plenty of room for
her and plenty of love to share with her."
Timothy replied..."
Sam
I will let you and Deowdie go to visit Ruffles and see what
you think of her. I know that you will think about me while
you are visiting her because you will make the right decision.
So it was decided. Meowmie and Deowdie kissed Timothy goodbye
and drove off for the Humane Society. Timothy watched from
the window and said a little purr that Ruffles was as purty
as her picture. The he laid down to take a little nap.
Soon, Timothy awoke to the sound of Meowmie's car in the
driveway. He ran to the door to greet them and...
McGee
lo and behold, Deowdie was carrying a carrier into the house
while Meowmie was smiling and laughing at the same time.
"Timothy, come meet your new sister. Please do not crowd
her. We will let her out of her carrier in the laundry room
next to the kitchen where your litter box and food is."
Timothy followed Meowmie and Deowdie to the laundry room
next to the kitchen. Deowdie opened the carrier and the most
beautiful cat of many colors jumped out of it. She was very
timid and darted under the kitchen table in the next room and
peered out at the three who were watching her.
Timothy mewed to her in cat language that only she would
understand. "Don't be afraid. No one will hurt you. You
have a new home and human parents. I will help you get
acquainted with all of us."
The cat mewed back to Timothy..."
Sam
"Oh, I am so scared. Are you sure I will be safe here?"
I felt safer in my cage even though I didn't like it in there."
Timothy mewed back to the frightened kitty, "You will love
Meowmie and Deowdie. They are very nice humans and they will
always treat you with love and kindness. You will see."
The beautiful kitty then spoke to Timothy and said, "You seem
to be a very happy and nice kitty. You even act like you know
me."
And Timothy replied...
McGee
"Ruffles, I know all about you because my humans were your
sponsors at the Humane Society. They sent in money every
month to help take care of you until you found humans to
adopt you. I am a member of CLAW and this group allows their
members to sponsor cats from different humane societies. I
am actually your sponsor. I have your picture on our
refrigerator. You are a beautiful cat of many colors. You
are what is called a "Tortie" because of your many colors.
It was my idea for Meowmie and Deowdie to adopt you. I
needed a new friend in my life and I chose you."
"Oh, mew, thank you Timothy. I will become your new friend
because you care for me, Ruffles replied. I am so happy."
Timothy purred and called his humans to meet Ruffles. They
said in unison..."
Sam
"Oh, look! Timothy and Ruffles are friends already. Meowmie
and Deowdie were so proud of their wonderful Timothy for
making Ruffles feel so happy and loved. They both knelt down
on the floor and told Ruffles how much they loved her, while
Timothy just purred and purred.
Then Meowmie went to the refrigerator and took down the picture
of Ruffles that they had been looking at every day all the
months that they were sponsors of Ruffles. Meowmie showed
Ruffles her picture and Ruffles was so pleased that she said...
McGee
"Ohh, what a lucky cat I am to have found such kind, caring
humans. I know that now I am part of a family. The shelter
was nice but now I am in a real home. I ket purring that
someone would adopt me. Most people adopted the kittens
right away, but us older girl cats were not so lucky. I had
been at the foster home for almost two years. It is going to
be a Merry Purry Christmas for me this year."
Timothy purred to Ruffles, "Come with me and I will show you
around your new home."
Ruffles followed Timothy and his parents hugged one another.
Meowmie said to Deowdie..."
McGee
"We are going to have a wonderful Christmas and we will be
sharing it with a wonderful cat, our Timothy, who has actually
taught us not to be afraid and to count our blessings. We must
live our lives in love and pray for peace on earth. Peace
begins with each individual."
Deowdie replied, "Yes, we have been spending too much time
watching TV. We should be enjoying our time with friends
and family and become more caring and giving to those who need
our help because of the terrorist attack on America. Freedom
is not free. We all have to pay a price for it. Many wars
have been fought to keep freedom alive. Americans have always
held the dream of peace on earth in their hearts. We are
counting our blessings this year and praying for those who
have lost family and friends. Our heroes are real, live people
like firemen, policemen, volunteers, the National Guard, our
National Defense, the Red Cross, our political leaders and
people just like us."
Just then Timothy and Ruffles returned to the kitchen. "Mew,
said Timothy. When are we getting our tree set up for
Christmas? Ruffles has never seen a Christmas Tree. We have
to teach and show her what Christmas with a family is all about."
"Timothy, you are right. Let's begin to decorate and shop for
Christmas. First, though, Deowdie and I wish to give you all
our thanks for all that you have done these past few months.
To begin with we wish to say that...
McGee
we will never take our family and friends for granted. We will
promise to be more aware of what we can offer to society to
begin healing from the terrorist attack. We will enjoy life
and family. We will enjoy each other. Life begins with the
family. Who knows! This house is so big, Deowdie and I might
make room for one more shelter cat. Timothy, do you want another
sisfur or a brofur? Laughing, Meowmie winked at Deowdie with
tears of joy in her eyes.
The story of Timothy was written from 10 October 2001 to
30 December 2001 and is dedicated to Sasha Brewer, an active
member of CLAW and an active member of the OCS. She was a
well-loved kitty who passed over the Rainbow Bridge
in October 2001.
The midi is playing "The Power of the Dream" sung by
Celine Dion at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.
"It is the power of the dream that brings us peace."
Older Cats Society
|