Chapter 2 - FIRST ADVENTURE
It’s Been a Long Road
Date: Wednesday, November 10
From: Henry •
To: Everyone
Dear New Friends,
As all of you know, Dr. Mom and Mom Cathy are still feeling really sad. It has been a hard time for them. It wasn't a very good week for me either. I am only four months old and my whole life has been scampering outdoors in chilly and beautiful Julian. I got a name last week, which made me very proud. My three little sisters and I played a lot and slept on top of each other. It was a hard life but I was not an unhappy boy.
Then my world changed. I am not entirely sure what happened. I got broadsided by something way bigger than me and then I couldn't feel my front leg anymore. The little girl in Julian who cared for me put me in the little house Mom Cathy got us and I stayed there for a day or two. Then Mom Cathy and Dr. Mom came up. They took one look at me and zap, I was in a very red van going to something called a vet hospital. I never ever saw trees move so fast. I thought all trees stood still, at least the ones my sisters and I climbed.
For a while all the trees went by and the next think I knew I was on a table with people poking and looking at me. I don't much understand what they were all saying but it had something to do with whether I was going to be “put to sleep”. Mom Cathy cried a lot so I guess she doesn't like sleeping. My moms took me to the car to "make a decision.” They said I couldn't be an outdoor cat anymore if I had something
called an amputation. I just lay on
Dr. Mom's lap and purred and looked deeply into each of their souls. I knew we were meant to be together, but they weren’t so sure. I could tell they weren’t cat people. I knew they were feeling troubled about something. I hoped they would open their hearts and give me a chance to help them feel better about cats and whatever else was troubling them.
Finally, we went back in the building and there, another lady and her daughter, fell in love with me. They said if Dr. Mom and Mom Cathy paid for the operation (whatever that is) they would take me. The problem was, I didn't want to be taken, I wanted to stay with my moms. After all, I had gone through a lot to get to where I am.
I think it was the way I stared into their eyes that did it. They decided I would get my operation, I would become a three legged kitty, and I would get to tame Dolly and live with them in their permanent home.
Dr. Mom thinks I am her birthday present. She says I am a symbol of hope against all odds. I think hope is a good thing. I hoped I would live and make a difference to others. I should have been killed by that machine a million times bigger than me. But instead, I ended up in the laps of two very loving women and a big curious black thing called Dolly. Good things can come from terrible times. Remember that!
Monday was quite a day for me. I took a long nap. I had four legs when I went to sleep and three when I woke up. I was all wrapped in something green. I was pretty groggy and couldn't walk very well. I hurt, but they gave me bad-tasting stuff and then I didn't hurt as much. Everybody petted me a lot and said I was a fine little boy and had a winning personality, whatever that is.
Twenty-four hours later my friends from Julian came up in a shiny silver machine called a car and whisked me away from the hospital. All the trees whirred by and I got to rest on a very nice lap. I had no idea where we were going but it was warm and it felt safe to be with my two new best friends. About an hour and a half later I arrived at a place they called home. I was hungry so I got some good food to eat and water to drink. It was swell. I have a really warm little cozy bed and all sorts of toys. I am not up to scampering quite yet.
I think I will like it here. I hope you like me. Keep your spirits up. After all, there are many wounded souls like me who need love and kindness. I’ll write again soon.
Until then....
Henry, aka Tripod, esq. son of Donna and Cathy , brother to Dolly, friend to all.