Eulogy for a Cat

Almost exactly two years ago I penned a blog titled "Ode to a Cat," consisting of a poem inspired by a week of cat-sitting our friends' cat, Athena. I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with Athena, due to the fact that I was spending most of my days two years ago recovering from chemotherapy. Athena and I had a lot of time to bond. That made for a very sad day Saturday when we learned that Athena had to be put down due to the failure of her kidneys. Now I know that there are some who might find it strange or even inappropriate to eulogize a cat; likely those people have never had a pet who they regarded as part of their family. A systematic theology professor of mine and a professed animal lover once told our class that she believed that our beloved pets go to heaven. She cited our belief that God's plan for redemption included ALL of his creation, and she saw no reason why that didn't also include the animals that fill our lives with joy.

Athena was adopted when she was a year old from a shelter. By all accounts, Gabriel and Shannon were looking to adopt an animal that would fit well into their busy lifestyle, and a cat seemed like a perfect option. As I thought more about the time I spent with Athena, I realized that she was a cat who did things on her own terms. You cat lovers out there are probably thinking, "What cat doesn't do things on her own terms?" For example, Athena loved attention and affection, but she hated being held. Whenever we would come home during the week we kept her, she would yowl at us with a meow louder than you would think that small of a body could produce. I always imagined that she was yelling, "Where have you been all day!?!? Why haven't you been here paying attention to me?" She was never quiet about her discontent.
She loved to play, but only when she wanted to, and then she was fickle about the toys. She loved one toy, for a couple of days or weeks, and then would ignore it. She hated her cat carrier and protested loudly when placed into it, once by pooping in it. I will never forget the cat rodeo I got to witness one time when Gabriel attempted to catch her to take her home after a trip. She was a ferocious guard cat. Anytime I would take Bailey over to Gabriel and Shannon's backyard to play, Athena would sit at a window or door shooting daggers at us (or more likely just Bailey) with her eyes. Probably most ironically, this small shelter cat who, all bets would have been, inexpensive to upkeep, turned out to be quite expensive. Because of her bad kidneys, she needed medicine and frequent vet trips, not to mention special food and treats. but arguably she was worth every penny. Most of all, Athena was a survivor; she lived much longer with poor kidneys' than anyone could imagine, and we were all surprised this last time when she wasn't able to battle through.

Athena brought love and laughter into the lives of Gabriel and Shannon, and indeed all the lives of those who took care of her or spent much time with her. The Torres' are expecting a baby girl in March, and I know that they will tell her stories as she grows up about their first cat together, Athena, and about all of her antics and eccentricities. Athena made the world a better because she existed, and because she allowed us to love her. I think that deserves the honor of a eulogy.