We watched the Hour of Power today. A nice lady preacher was talking about her cat that got stuck on the roof. Which brings me to our cat. Alexis is a nice cat. She moved in with us in our first rental house in Wellington. She must have thought that we were trees - she would climb up your leg while you were putting the washing on the line. She moved with us to our second rental. She ran away one time when we were in Brisbane - and we thought that was the end of it. Alex was found through advertising on PETS ON THE NET. Home she came - scrawny and emaciated, and she was nursed back to health.
Alex remained quite committed to indoor life after that. Traumatised by her scary six weeks away, she decided that the streets were not a good place. We moved to our third rental which was to be a temporary move. Alexis settled down well. We are still in that rental 18 months later. She has stamped her mark on the territory here. A series of yowling and screeching cat fights have determined that other usurpers and casual visitors from the feline establishment seldom cross the line. Alexis' most recent fight led to another hole in the head and a damaged leg. Then of course someone fell over her in the night - more yowling.
Yesterday Alexis went to the Vet for the first time - she is a good patient. Last night Sheilagh put her medicine on the bed next to her and she simply swallowed the pills without any objection. She greets one at the door, and often waits at the bottom of the drive for me to get home, and asks in a typical cat way for food or to go out.
Alexis has been adopted by us, found again through hi tech search methods, and subjected to potentially unpleasant medical treatment (what cat travels well in the car and smiles when getting her jabs?). For some reason she is trusting and loyal. She is an illegal squatter I guess - our landlord does not allow pets. But she crept into our hearts by showing up one day and she is still here.
As parents we are so proud of her. As I write she has had her morning anti-biotic - once again we put it in front of her and she obligingly eats the pills.
I recall somewhere a story about our heavenly father welcoming those who seek refuge in his home - searching for us when we went astray in Eden - and offering us a home and a solution for our ailments.
How sad that so many of us don't accept this offer - or take the meds we need.
Go Alex - you are a living parable for those who wish to read your life.
