In one of my articles, I wrote about a special friend of mine, a friend of the feline persuasion. My friend's name was "Cajun", and she was a GORGEOUS tortie Maine Coon cat.
This particular episode in my life happened in Ohio, my former home, before I came to Texas.
If I could have brought her with me to Texas, believe you me, I would have found a way; however, where we live doesn't allow pets, so I was forced to give her away, which nearly destroyed me. I'll never forget her plaintive meows as the car with her new owners backed down the driveway and then headed for what was to become her new home. After the car left, I fell to the sidewalk and sobbed and sobbed. No matter how hard I tried I just couldn't stop crying. It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do.
I still miss "My Cajun" even today.
"Cajun" was 8 months old when I adopted her from the local pound; she was multicolored (red, tan, black, orange, and white) with huge, green eyes, and four white paws and a white chest and belly; she was all fur, and she was so cute. When I first laid eyes upon her at the pound, I knew she was the one for me. She played with my fingers, and meowed softly; and I was instantly smitten. Even from the start "Cajun" was a little furball!
In the 4 1/2 years I had her, "Cajun" brought me nothing but joy; she was the perfect friend in which I could come to whenever I was feeling sad; she would do her best to try to cheer me by acting silly or doing something totally stupid; and then I would start laughing, and the depression would instantly vanish. She would follow me everywhere, and she slept with me at night (which made for toasty warm feet in the winter; she had very long fur, and she would snuggle right up next to me). She would also wake me up in the morning (usually by stepping right on my one nipple, which would instantly jar me awake; it was quite painful!!), and after getting annoyed with her and getting her off me, I would then get up and go downstairs, as I knew she was wanting her breakfast--and NOW. She was really good about being clean when it came to her litterbox, and she was only messy when she ate; there would be catfood all around her dish area, or there would be water, from where she stuck her paw into it or accidentally knocked it over.
Now, "Cajun" was a rather smart kitty: she knew how to work on your heartstrings, and she knew whenever I was upset. She could read me like a book. She also could open the door or get into the catfood in the pantry (which resorted us into putting the dry catfood into a plastic container; but then the little scamp would try to CHEW the lid to get at the catfood inside!!), or seemed to know whenever I was coming home from the job I had at the time (I had worked at Olive Garden; I was there for 4 years and 2 months) or from church. A half hour before I was to come home, daddy would tell me that "Cajun" would be walking around, just meowing her head off until I came home; and when I came into the breezeway, there would be "Cajun" standing up on her hind legs, paws on the glass, just meowing away. You could hear her through the glass!
She also had the biggest purr on a cat I had ever heard; she was more like a CHEETAH in that respect. Her purr was LOUD!! Sometimes it would get so loud you could easily hear her across the room; and her little furry body would be vibrating from the force of her purrs!!!!
"Cajun" had some quirks that still bring a smile to my face each time I think about them. Besides the catfood trick, she also loved crawfish, and each time I had some boiled crawfish here she would come, smelling the air and meowing crazily. I would have to give her a few pieces of tail meat; otherwise, she would have probably gotten right onto the table and filch my crawfish!! (I kiddingly tell people she EARNED her name of "Cajun"; it suited her perfectly!!) She also liked to walk along th edge of the bathtub each time I was taking a bath, and several times she ended up IN the water!! You NEVER saw a cat move so fast!! (She was declawed; she had been ever since I had gotten her.)
She also loved to run around the house in the mornings, like she had a flea in her or something, but by noon she would find a place to sleep (usually on a chair underneath a table or by the door or beside the couch or tv) and would sleep until late afternoon. She would then awaken and wash herself and would then announce that it was time for her supper. Another thing she loved to do was go up into the bay window of the kitchen and look out; but Christmas time proved to be a challenge because maman (my stepmother; I call her "Maman") had her Dickens village collection in the window (complete with cotton, to serve as "snow"), and, invariably, "Cajun" would get up there, among the buildings and people, and she would, invariably, knock something over. Usually it was Scrooge who got bowled over. Every morning I would have to fix Scrooge and put him back onto his feet. It got to be past annoying; I would get so frustrated with that DAMN cat I wanted to strangle her!!!!! She even managed to knock the Christmas tree over--right onto the presents!! Boy, was I ever TICKED!!! She got her little rear warmed as a result and a good talking-to from me!! She was a *BAD KITTY*!!
I called "Cajun" my "puppy-cat" because she followed me around like a little dog. No matter where I went, "Cajun" was sure to follow. She was the feline version of "Mary Had A Little Lamb"--and I was Mary.
I just hope that wherever she is, "Cajun" is well, healthy, and happy. I shall never forget her as long as I live; she brought me endless hours of joy, and I feel privileged to know that I was the one who saved her from euthanasia at the pound (that's what happens to unwanted doggies and kitties at the pound, even though they may be healthy or just babies), and that I gave her love and care. She was a special friend, and she will ALWAYS be in my heart.
"Cajun"--you are forever in my heart, and I will always love you! You were the PERFECT pet for me, and I will always be grateful!! Thank you, my sweet furry friend, for the memories!!!! ((HUGS)),
Your buddy, Karen Lynn. xxxxoooo
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Reviewed by Evelyn Norris
11/7/2002
Sometimes God gives us pets who will love us no matter what. I have a disabled daughter who also has arthritis and attendant diseases. She has two birds that talk to her all the time. Even warn her when they think they need to. Love is love, isn't, it?
Hang in there and love, love, love!!!!! Evelyn Norris
Unleash the joy of puppy ownership with "Puppy Training 101: Easier Than You Think." This comprehensive guide equips you with expert insights and practical advice to effortlessly train your new furry friend, from mastering essential commands to overc
