Essence of Communication…
I have learned a great deal from my furry little friends, my beloved kitties… six of them, now four — and how they communicate their essence through their eyes, their body language, their touch… their very being resonates with their essence.
I’d like to share with you one of the most profound experiences in my life when I could practically hear what my baby was saying to me from the very core of their being. If you have ever had the opportunity to have the companion of animals in your home, I’m certain in some point or another, you may have had similar experiences…
I had gone out shopping one evening with my parents, and when I came home, on our driveway… lay sprawled and crying out for help, my baby, V-Jay. There was no signs of blood or external injuries, but we knew his internal injury was quite serious as a few hours later, his body started to bloat. He could not eat, nor drink… it happened on a Sunday night and no vet was open at that hour.
My mother, father and I took turns to keep him at ease and as comfortable as possible throughout the night till we could rush him to the vet the moment they opened their doors. That was by far, the longest night ever in my life. All we could do was pray, and stroke him lovingly, reassuring him that everything will be ok.
The next day came, at last, and we sent him to the vet. We had to leave him there overnight for the doctor to monitor him and treat him. Though, when we came back the next day… they said that there was nothing more that they could do but put him to sleep. I saw how much pain he was going through, and all my life till then, I had never believed in euthanasia. At that point, it hurt me more to see him in pain so we agreed after much reluctance.
The doctor gave us a few moments with him to say our goodbyes. It was the hardest goodbye I’ve ever said… I held his little paw in my hands and just couldn’t stop crying. The doctor came in then, and I knew I had to let him go… and at that instant, V-Jay looked up at me, and I could hear him speak to me so clearly with his eyes right to my heart…
“Take me home. I don’t want to die here. Please, take me home…”
Without a second thought, I stopped the doctor and said, I’m taking him home. He wants to go home.
We spent another night nursing him, and even his own mother cat stayed up all night with us. The next day, my neighbour who love cats too, came by to visit him. Shortly after, he took his last 3 breaths, and passed away in my hands. It felt as if, he was waiting for my neighbour to bid him farewell… later that day, she shared with us, that among all our cats, V-Jay was the one closest to her. Every morning when she was in her garden digging away, V-Jay would be by her side digging along and talking to her.
He was just 6 months old and we suspect a motorbike ran over him. A beautiful jet black cat with the sweetest demeanor. He had this aura of elegance and poise about him, always alert even when he’s sleeping. He seemed to be the “quiet” one, but when he was gone… we noticed that the other siblings got into trouble less. He was always the first one to climb trees and playing in between the bushes… the initiator and the rest would follow.
He was with us for the shortest period of time from his birth to his passing away… and yet, for the time that he spent with us, it is simply unbelievable how much he has made a difference in our life.
Here he is sleeping in one of his favourite spots… a flower pot!
V-Jay playing with a plastic bag while we were gardening, he got everyone so enrolled in having fun that we ended up playing with him too.
The early days of potty training… he was caught in the act of leaving “presents” for us on the lawn. Nonetheless, he inspired us with his deep concentration of doing “important business”… such Focus 
I learned that every life is such a Gift, and to be Present to it… Essence is communicated all the time. Sometimes, we just have to be still and listen to what is not being said.
I don’t know why I chose to share this story with you today… but I feel somewhere out there, someone needs to hear it.
I guess I never really did complete with V-Jay,… I had felt a great loss when he died in my arms. I cared for him since birth and watch him grow day by day. Today, V-Jay… I’m giving you permission to go. Wherever you may be, thank you for leaving your pawprints in my life.
I have more amazing cat stories to come… so stay tuned and share some of yours too.
Tags: cat, communication, essence
October 30th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Didn’t know you love cats. I have two myself. I used to have three, but Salem was stolen. I knew who stole him and I knew that person really loves him very much. Therefore I didn’t pursue the matter any further, just as long as Salem is loved.
The two cats that remain to be with me are Mckenzie and Tabby.
When Tabby was 7 months old, she caught the deadly virus. I wasn’t aware that she caught the virus and thought she finally wanted to cuddle with me. It was only when she started to vomit did I notice something was not right. I sent her to one of the vets. Medicine was given and we went home. The vet did not stress how deadly the virus was at that time.
I tried to feed her the medicine but she refused to take in the medicine. I only found out later it was because she had sore throat and could not bear the pain to swallow anything. Her body size shrunk dramatically. And she was shaking all the time while cuddling with me to keep herself warm. I cried. I cried because of my helplessness. I was so worried and obviously not ready to let go of her.
The worst thing was that the vet told me that if she didn’t show any improvement, there was nothing else they could do. Tabby was in great pain, I could see. That night, I talked to her. I told her that if she wanted to go, she could go. I told her that I have enjoyed living with her even though we had our ups and downs, and I would love to continue living life with her in it. I asked her to give me a sign. If she chose to live, fight the virus, I would support her no matter how much it would cost me. If she chose to go, I wouldn’t blame her.
When morning came, I brought her to another vet, a swiss man. The vet said he couldn’t guarantee anything but he would do everything he could to help her and she has to stay in the clinic. Those few days I could not concentrate on anything else.
The next morning, I called the vet at 6:30AM. I couldn’t help it. I had to know her progress. It was a bad news. She passed out blood. I skipped lunch and went to visit her. I even cut a piece of fabric out of my jeans which she loved to remind her of home. There wasn’t any progress. She has her eyes closed, almost was like she was unconscious. I broke down in tears.
That afternoon, I didn’t why, I talked to the nature. Tabby loves trees and plants, so I guessed there must be some connection there. I asked the trees and plants to send her energy to fight this deadly virus. The moment I spoke, the trees and plants rustled as though in responding to me.
The next day, the vet said Tabby has regained her consciousness and she has stopped passing out blood. From less than 3% survival rate, it was then 40%. The next challenge was to get her to eat again. The vet said some cats stopped eating entirely because of the pain that they experienced. Immediately I bought the most expensive cat food with supplements added and gave it to the vet.
I went back during lunch to check on her progress. She didn’t touch the food. Her size was less than size zero. She was happy to see me and was trying her best to get out of the cage and onto my laps with whatever strength she had. I stroke her. That’s when I remembered how much she loved freshly cooked chicken breast. I didn’t waste another moment and cooked the chicken breast the way she loved it. She started to nibble and I was overjoyed. Seeing that she could eat on her own without coaxing, the vet discharged her.
When she was sick, I promised her a garden and a climbing post. I have bought her the climbing post and I am now working on the plan to get a place with the garden for her.
October 31st, 2008 at 3:18 am
Dear Max
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing your story… I’m deeply moved and touched. I know exactly how you feel. They are more than just pets, more than just companions… they are a part of our lives. They feel our essence too and how much we love them. It’s just amazing!
I am indeed a cat lover, I’ve manifested for over 18 years to have cats… never giving up hope, and then one day… a miracle showed up, from one… to two… to six. They never fail to amazed me and enrich my life by their presence
With great love… from one cat lover to another ;p