What a Street Cat with AIDS Taught Me About Life
Sometimes the best teacher comes from an unexpected place.
After reading the title, you may be thinking, huh, cats can get AIDS? The answer is yes.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is known as Feline AIDS because of its similarities to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). FIV is relatively uncommon, but it can seriously impact a cat’s health and well-being.
We learned about FIV after taking a street cat my wife adopted to the veterinarian. The vet suggested that we just put her down and save the trouble, as usually, cats with FIV don’t live more than 6–8 months after contracting it. My wife said no way.
The story begins with that decision.
My wife is the most caring, compassionate animal lover I have met. She has an uncanny cosmic connection with animals that is hard to explain.
She saved a baby squirrel that fell out of a tree and fostered a pregnant dog from a shelter. That was fun. We had nine newborn puppies running around our house for a couple of months. She has saved rabbits and rescued turtles trying to cross busy streets in Tampa. I could go on and on.
Animals sense her kindness and compassion. They are drawn to her like a magnet, and her to them.
Without my wife’s insistence, I would never have agreed to bring a cat into the house, let alone this cat. But Missou, as she was named, had natural charisma.
Missou politicked her way from hanging around the yard to living in the garage. Then finally wriggled her way into the house.
We did not know if she was abandoned, had ever had a home, or was abused. Yet, this cat was kind, happy, gentle, and loved being with people even though she was dealt a pretty rough hand in life. So we took her in.
“Animals are born who they are, accept it, and that is that. They live with greater peace than people do.”
~Gregory Macquire
After about five years, despite the veterinarian giving her six months to live, Missou was firmly entrenched into the family, and even ended up with her own bedroom.
She used my Labrador Retriever as a play thing and rubbing post. My 80 pound Labrador became a servant to the cat. Basically Missou would do whatever she wanted in the house. She walked around like she owned the place.
“In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this.”
~ Terry Pratchett
I am a dog person by nature, but the cat grew on me. Her spunky arrogance was something that I loved. Over the years, we forgot about her FIV. She was so full of life.
So on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at about 5:45 a.m., when she unexpectedly died, it came as a shock.
My wife was up early in the morning reading, and Missou sat beside her like any other day. Then, suddenly, she had severe convulsions, went down on the floor, and died. It was that quick, less than a few minutes.
It shocked us.
As I sit and write about it now, Missou reminded me of important life lessons.
We need to appreciate our time on earth as it can go so quickly. Unfortunately, the human brain has the bizarre ability to distract us to chase things that don’t matter that much. Death is a quick reminder not to squander our time, as it can all be over at any moment.
We need to make the most of whatever situation we find ourselves. Missou was born into challenging circumstances. Yet, she was kind, gentle, and playful to the very end. We all need to enjoy life as it presents itself. Stressing over every little piece of drama will get us nowhere. We can waste our life consumed with bitterness and anger if we are not careful.
We need to slow down and appreciate our loved ones. Is it cliché? Yes, of course. Yet, as I look back on the night before she died, Missou came to me to play on the living room floor. I was busy with something and just brushed her off. The next day when she was gone, this stuck with me. I regret it. I hope you don’t ever have those regrets.
We need to embrace kindness and compassion. Animals are amazing creatures, and we are far inferior to their capacity to show love, respect, and happiness. My Labrador Retriever would not leave Missou’s side until I buried her. I was amazed at this. She grieved for a couple of days after she was gone. We need to remember love, compassion, and empathy are some of the essential things in life. Little else matters in the end.
I buried Missou under a giant oak tree in our backyard. It’s a beautiful and tranquil place. She will stay with us forever.
Missou may have been born a street cat with AIDs, but she lived and died as a part of our family. She will not forgotten.
Don’t Cry for Me When I’m Gone
So, though I gave you all my heart,
the time has come when we must part.
But all around you, you will see,
creatures that speak to you of me;
a tired horse, a hunted thing,
a sparrow with a broken wing.
Pity — and help (I know you will)
and somehow, I will be with you still;
and I shall know, although I’m gone,
the love I gave you lingers on.
~Author Unknown
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Love this story. Pets are as much a part of the family as children, spouses and others in each household. We love our Stella.
Nice story and points to hold on to, thanks David.