For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22ROMANS 8:19-21
Often I have failed to recognize all the great teachers I have had in my life. One of the greatest teachers was my gorgeous grey tabby cat, Rembrandt. He taught me invaluable lessons of love, selflessness, kindness, and generosity.
I adopted my angel in 1997 shortly after the loss of my first cat, Bubba. Bubba’s death as a result of urinary cystitis was so sudden and such a shock that the grief was unbearable. My poor calico girl, Dottie, was also grieving. We both felt empty and lonely. I didn’t want Dottie to be alone in the cat family and I felt a need to have both a boy and a girl. I never wanted to replace Bubba, but at the same time I felt that another kitty would help ease some of the loneliness; therefore, I went to the local Humane Society and found a gorgeous, sweet, affectionate, and playful grey, six year old tabby tomcat named Stripe. I fell in love immediately with him. I told the staff that I was going to go across the street and think about adoption while I perused the San Antonio Art Museum. Incidentally, the museum was showing a Rembrandt exhibit, and the name stuck in my mind as a new, more personal name for the tabby formerly known as Stripe. I took Rembrandt home with me that day and he has blessed my life in so many countless ways ever since.
Rembrandt was a bit scared in his new home at first, and Dottie didn’t accept him right away, but within a few days they were fast friends and he was completely relaxed and settled in. From the very beginning, Rembrandt showed a love and kindness that was unconditional. Anyone who came to visit was immediately the subject of persistent lap sitting, purring, rubbing, and snuggling. He charmed anyone and everyone he met. Any time a cat visited, Rembrandt was the welcoming party. He played with the other kitties, fathered baby Rusty, and constantly groomed and cuddled with them. Never did he show an ounce of jealousy or envy, only more and more sweetness.
In April of 2004, my little guy had an accident and broke some toes on his left paw, thus requiring surgery to amputate his four digits. I was so terrified, but he pulled through like a true champion. He was a terrific patient and he bounced back completely. Within days, he was running and playing as if nothing had ever happened, save for his little limp. I dubbed him “Sir LimpsAlot” as a result.
In November 2005, my husband and I noticed that he had been losing a lot of weight. He began acting a bit depressed, a bit less agile, but never less loving. I was shocked when he was diagnosed with chronic renal failure, a fatal condition in elder felines. My baby was on fluids for four days, and responding well, but he went back downhill shortly after coming home from the hospital. His blood work showed little improvement. He stopped eating completely; not even tuna could arouse him. He lost over six pounds in less than two months. My baby was withering, and I new that the time was near; hard as it was, I wanted to do right by him. When he came to my home and heart, he took away so much pain and sadness and replaced it with love and joy. In the end, the least I could do was the same for him.
Rembrandt passed peacefully to the Rainbow Bridge at 1:08 PM on Saturday, December 3, 2005. He gently went to sleep surrounded by people who loved him. This moment was so heart breaking to me and yet so beautiful that I would never choose another way for him. To give a beloved animal such sweet comfort and peace is the greatest act of love a human can ever do.
You are in my heart forever,
| Rembrandt |
| 3, Dec 2005 |
| Leslie G |