Tiffany
I had never wanted a cat because there were already many in the neighbourhood, killing the beautiful birds I so love. While I do not really have a problem with cats, they are beautiful, funny, and surprisingly loving, I guess I am just more of a dog person. Tiffany, however, stole my heart.
She was a survivor like me, determined to make the most of what was in front of her. I often think of her and miss her company, especially at night when she would curl up beside me. Having lived a full life she died shortly after we moved to Maple Creek.
When she came to us she was starving, her skin so thin and tender beneath her densely matted fur, pulled painfully tight by the many knots covering her body. The only way we could cut through these flea infested hard balls of fur was while she ate. Allowing me to gently snip away the outer layers, though not a second longer when she was done eating, it took almost a month to work my way through the mess and relieve her of the pain and itching they surely caused.
She would hide after her meal and we often didn’t see her again until she came back for more food. It took her some time to trust us and allow us to get close to her. She was a beautiful long hair Himalayan and impressively gentle, considering how hard her life had been, fighting for every scrap of food and always on the edge of starvation. Once she learned we would not hurt her, she allowed us to pick her up, cuddle and play with her. Eventually, she even let Hawk be close to her, which to us was pretty amazing.
Because we hadn’t really wanted another pet, we planned to give her to a good home once she was healthy enough to make the adjustment. We advertised on the radio and in the newspaper, looking for a kind person to provide her a loving home. Several months later and just about the time we were going to keep her because no one had responded to our ads, an elderly lady called, interested in taking Tiffany. She seemed the perfect match.
When she caught her first glimpse of Tiffany her sharp inhalation and quick turn of the head made me instantly pause. Moving to the mantelpiece she showed me a picture of her cherished cat, killed in Toronto years before. She was identical to Tiffany in every way! That did it, Tiffany had found her new home. With all of the dishes and belongings Tiffany was settled in and we said our goodbyes. It really seemed like the perfect place, although I had grown very fond of her and hated to leave her.
Not many weeks later Patrick learned of a home fire in the trailer park where Tiffany had moved. As it turned out this same woman was smoking in bed, had fallen asleep and perished in the fire that destroyed her mobile home one Friday night. Patrick and Lucas went to the trailer park immediately after work on Monday. Canvassing the neighbours they were informed she had escaped from the trailer the instant the fireman broke down the door, leaping over their heads to escape the flames. Before she was overcome the neighbours said they could hear the elderly lady calling out, “Tiffany! Tiffany!”
Walking around the trailer park calling out her name, they at last heard her meow from high in a tree, even in the rain for those three days refusing to come down for anyone except to eat some food these thoughtful neighbours had left for her. Meowing loudly in reply she quickly made her way down the tree and into Patrick’s arms, recognizing a friend as he said to her, “Come live with us, we will never let you go again.”
Her fur was very dark from the ash and she smelled heavily of smoke, having to be repeatedly bathed to remove it. Lucas got quite a kick out of seeing her looking like a drowned rat. She of course was not impressed, but she was safe and we were all so happy to have her back. We became such good friends, her and I, often sharing our quiet time together. She always seemed to know when I was having a difficult time and would curl up with me, purring against my body as if protecting me from the haunting ghosts. She was so affectionate and loving to everyone in the family.
There are so many stories I could tell about Tiffany’s adventures, but truly the most important thing to say was she had a big heart and great courage. She was an explorer as well, never turning down an adventure even if it meant many long hours in a hot truck. She travelled with us from B.C. down the west coast to Mexico, riding on the back of the bench seat behind me, looking out the window the whole way. Wherever we stopped for the day we would let her out to explore, sometimes putting her on the leash if we were concerned about her safety. She would wander, but stay close enough to our campsite so we didn’t have cause for concern.
At night time we would leave the tent zipper open just enough for her to come in when she was ready. Long after dark she would sneak in and curl up beside me in the safety of our small travelling home. She truly loved being on the road, seeing so many new things, a new adventure every day. I would never have believed a cat would travel as she did.
Preparing for our two year walkabout and while packing our household belongings to place in storage, we continually explained to her what was happening, giving her the option to come with us or begin a new home with nearby friends. I know she understood the meaning of what was happening, so when we found her sitting on the boxes in the back of the truck as we brought out the very last one, we knew she had made her decision to join us. I really don’t think I could have left her behind.
Miss Mali came into our lives about a year after Hawk’s passing. We were not sure how Tiffany and Mali would get along, but it turned out we had nothing to fear. Miss Mali is the gentlest of souls, one who sees no boundaries so did not understand that a cat should be her enemy. Tiffany had done very well at managing Hawk, so she adapted easily to our newest addition to the family. They spent much time together.
Shortly after moving to Maple Creek Tiffany reached the end of her life. We knew her time was coming, but still it was hard to face, she had become such a great companion. When we went for our nightly walks with Miss Mali, Tiffany began to follow us as if unwilling to be left alone for any amount of time. She died one day while we were at work. Patrick had placed her in the nicest part of the flower bed and there we found her, looking for all intents and purposes as if she was asleep. As with Hawk, her spirit was meant to be free and we could not bury her. She rests in a secluded spot on the side of a hill overlooking a beautiful treed ravine where she can watch the life all around her. I know she would have loved that spot….another great place to explore. Her spirit remains with me.
Each of my pets have held a special place in my heart, their unconditional love a healing balm. I have been fortunate to have been given such love when nothing else could penetrate the walls protecting my heart. For Tiffany I am grateful indeed.
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