Zeke's Story…
This is the story of our Zeke, a tiny little ball of fluff, who arrived unexpectantly at our door one day. It had already been decided that our family was not going to have a pet (well, husband/Dad had decided) because we lived a very busy life and it wouldn’t be fair to the animal, dog or cat, to not be able to give him or her the time and attention that they needed and deserved.
One day, my co-worker told me that one of her barn cats had given birth to a litter of kittens and then unfortunately the mother cat passed away – she asked me what to do about these 4 to 5 week old motherless kittens? Since we had had pets all my life growing up, I gave her some advice as to how to care for them.
Well, one day soon after, my co-worker (crafty soul she was) knew the kids were at home. She arrived at our door and just happened to have a little grey kitten in her arms. He was so tiny and so darn cute. The kids fell in love immediately and that was it – we had a cat. How do I get around this one with the hubby? Quite simply! I told my daughter to phone Daddy at work and tell him to get a pencil and paper ready - he had a shopping list to take care of before he left for home. Of course, he thought it was a grocery list - uh no - on the list were the following: a litter box, litter, and of course cat food - look for the ones for kittens and oh, Dad? Throw in a couple of really cute cat toys, too! He did what was asked.
I had some explaining to do when hubby got home. The kids were thrilled and the great debate came as to what to name this little fellow. I figured since I was in so much trouble I should get that honour and Zeke it was. When hubby saw the little guy and how totally happy the kids were, he still protested (yes, he ended up on "crap" box duty) but, it wasn’t long before kitty knew how to get him on board, and hubby was seen many a time, with a purring ever growing ball of fur sleeping beside him or on his lap.
Through the years Zeke gave us so much love along with some of those "damn cat" moments. We put up a Christmas tree and Zeke, being a cat, naturally decided to climb it - figured it was his new home and had no intention to come out. Yes, Christmas decorations were found under the couch in June!
And one time we found we had mice - mice in a house where there was a cat, unheard of! The thing was, good old Zeke, because we got him so young and he was an inside cat, had never learned to hunt. Hubby, as the story goes, went to the hardware store to purchase 2 things - mouse traps and a gun. The clerk laughed and asked if he was planning on shooting the mice that avoided the traps. Hubby answered "No, the traps are for the mice, and the gun is to shoot the dumb cat who doesn't know how to catch them". Of course, he came home with just the mouse traps.
Then there was the time that Zeke was pressed up against the glass doors of the fireplace (in June). Hubby hollered at son who was running towards the fireplace “DON’T OPEN THAT DOOR!!” Too late, 2 birds covered in soot, took flight and hit the white ceiling a few times, of course leaving black sooty marks - big ones! A revelation quickly came to Zeke - cats chase birds! And so he did, with husband and kids running frantically after them. Hubby yelled at son to go and get the fish net. But, unfortunately son grabbed the old one that had holes in it. The birds spotted the patio doors and "freedom" only problem was, they weren't open. Birds hit the glass and dropped to the floor, cat jumps into action as does hubby. He took chase using the holy fish net. In the meantime, the birds had got their senses back and there stood hubby with the cat in the fish net - the birds had escaped through the holes and resumed trying to get out the door. This is where I come in to the story - simple solution…open the patio doors, and the birds flew to freedom.
These are just a few of the many great memories that "Old Zeke", as we called him as he grew older, gave us. The moral of the story is, if that friend had not shown up at our door that day with that tiny little kitten we wouldn't have had so many beautiful family memories…so many times to laugh and say "that damn cat". If you’re lucky enough to have an animal, whatever it be, come into your life unexpectantly one day - love it, it will love you back – unconditionally forever. They will become a precious part of your family.
Lovingly written in memory of Old Zeke….
Barb Friesen
