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Barb's Poems

Barb Wills, founder and shelter manager, finds all kinds of poems and writings that she finds particularly poignant and moving. This page is dedicated to those pieces she finds and wants to share with you. 

If you find poems and writings that you'd like to share with Barb, please send them to catshavenltd@sbcglobal.net.  

Your Old Cat

You bought a new house; you had a baby. You cat has been with you for years and is now old, perhaps incontinent, maybe a little grumpy, possibly having a bit of a problem getting around. Sometimes he doesn’t quite make it to the litterbox when he has to go and has an accident. All these things come with age and not necessarily just with your cat. It may happen to you someday as well.

In his youth, he gave you everything he had to offer. In his twilight years, you have no time. Now that he’s older he has many new things to offer that come with age. He is now wise. He is now grateful for all the things you help him with that he used to be able to do for himself. He tries so hard to be the youngster you  remember but he can’t quite do it. And you – well you are getting tired of cleaning up his accidents, the more frequent trips to the vet so you delude yourself into thinking we can find him a better place than the place where he has spent most of his life – a new family who will have more time for him.


The grim reality is that if your cat is 7 or under, we can probably find him a new home. If he is 8 or 9 we can possibly find him a new home. If he is 10 or older, he will likely not be re-adopted. Don’t worry; we will not euthanize your cat. We will find somebody who will care for him until he dies. We will take care of his medical needs; we will take care of his emotional needs. If he is incontinent, we will work

around it and if he needs medication we will see that he has it. He will live out his remaining few years in surroundings that he is not accustomed to and with people who for all of his many years, he never knew.

When the time comes to say good-bye, the foster home will gently take him and give him his final gift of freedom. And it will hurt, and they will cry because you see, they have come to love your old cat. They love him because they were privileged to share his wisdom, his zest for life and yes, his final moments.

An old cat, despite his failing health, is a treasure and not one to be given away but kept and cherished.


Author Unknown

 

Why Rescue?

OK, so I'm not the perfect cat.


I might be too big, or too small; too vocal, or too quiet. I may also have some medical issues, and I don't have my complete medical history with me to explain what the problem may be or why.  I may have been exposed to parasites: worms, fleas, ticks, or ear mites. I may have some kind of intestinal upsets, and I may not have perfect stools every time.


Behaviorally, I have a little baggage. I may not be able to walk right into your home perfectly well adjusted.  I may take issue if there is another cat, dog or child, no matter what age or sex and may show my fear in a variety of ways.  I may not love everyone immediately and I may not do exactly what you want in the beginning.


I may not be able to adapt to every situation.  I may get confused about the litter box, and might even make a mistake, no matter what litter you use, where the pan is, or how often you clean it.

Emotionally? I may have some idiosyncrasies. I may nip, swat, hiss, put my ears back, hide, cower or tremble. I may look at you with fear, and distrust, and concern. It might take several months, or even a year before I can begin to trust again. I am one of society's throwaways.

Am I the cat you're looking for? If not, maybe you should look elsewhere. Please don't ask to take me to see if I "work out". I would rather stay at the shelter than be given one more reason to mistrust people again. I am one of a group of cats - a group that has been dumped in the shelters, booted out the doors, kicked, hit, beaten, yelled at, shot, cursed, thrown from moving cars... and left to fend on our own.


A group of cats that has learned that humans are NOT kind and society is NOT fair and life is NOT comfortable. A group of cats that didn't have good prenatal care, that don't know where our next meal is coming from, that have lived outside through hot and cold and dug through garbage to find enough to eat.
 

We are the cats that have been flea bitten and worm ridden and burned with hot oil. We are the cats who have been hit by cars and left for dead; who have swallowed stones and ribbons and had nothing but intestinal upsets; who have loose stools or who have stools that are so hard they can barely pass.


We have been told we were too loud, too messy, or we didn't match the new furniture. We have been chased by dogs, had our tails pulled by kids, and been bullied by other cats. Some of us have never known a litter box, let alone a clean one. We have watched our loving family drive off one day without a backward glance after 15 years. We have been replaced after ten years with a new puppy.


We look at you with big round eyes full of fear and terror, and occasionally hatred, and yes, deep down, with a little hope. We are the cats in Rescue. Why, then, would anyone possibly want one of us?


The reasons are endless. We need you. We deserve to be loved, to have a second chance, to learn how to trust again.  We have been at the mercy of our surroundings; it is up to you to care for us.  You, as part of the race that has caused our hardships. Perhaps you owe it to us to care.


You should be setting examples for the next generation. That this should not be a throwaway society that we can and should be doing something about it. We can be your FAMILY members, members who share in your joys, your sorrows, your misfortunes and your luck. We are here when you need someone to talk to, to comfort, and to be comforted. We lick your tears and pat your face and snuggle under your chin.


We like you for you, and we ask so little from you.  A pat, a scratch, the toss of a ball, a kind word. We repay you with loyalty and adoration and faithful friendship. You may have to earn it, this is true, and we may be so damaged by our previous experiences that we'll never be "The Perfect" cat, but the appreciation that emanates from our eyes; the love that we share when we realize we are safe, secure, and home forever, is a gift that cannot be bought.  We have seen rough times, yes, but if we are willing to give you a second chance, why won't you give us one?


Author Unknown

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