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I have always had pets in my life; whether it is cats, dogs, or both. While they have always meant a lot to me, nothing can explain the bond I formed with my pets once I lived on my own and they were truly mine; I call them my furry children.
When I first moved out of my parents' house, about three years ago, I had to get a cat right away. My mom and dad have three cats, so being without a cat was not something I wanted to do. We went to the Iowa County Humane Society looking for a young cat. But the cat we ended up with changed me forever.
We were walking around looking at the cat's names and stats. We saw one named Martha who couldn't be held because she had surgery. Right below her was a cage that said "My name is Crackers. If you want to hold me please be careful because I am blind." That's all I needed to know. This poor cat was blind and I couldn't image the fear she must have been feeling being in a place where she could hear and smell so many other cats.
We filled out the adoption application and came to visit her every day until we could take her home. I was worried about how well she would adjust but she proved to be a champ. She had the house mastered within an hour.
I can't describe the bond I felt towards her. We didn't know her life before us, we didn't ask, and really didn't want to know. All that mattered was that we were spoiling her rotten and showering her with more love than I think she had ever experienced.
Once we had a chance to take her to the vet we found out that she had an estimated age of 14. My heart sank. I had come to cherish a cat in the two days that we had her more than I had with any other pet in my life. After learning her age we were even more determined to make our time with her count.
We moved houses after a year and she, once again, mastered the house within an hour. Then, about a year after that we decided to get a puppy. I was very worried because she was my little girl and I didn't want her to feel that she was going to be less loved or get less attention. I have always been overly concerned about her. If we went away for a night or two I would cry, fearing that she would be looking for us and not understand where we had gone. But she proved to us over and over just how courageous and strong she was.
She adjusted with ease to our dog Hanley. She didn't mind him giving her kisses, stealing of her food, or even when he stood in her way. Hanley was so use to living with a blind cat he was baffled the first time we took him to my parents' house and their cats ran away from him.
About a month ago we bought a house, which meant Crackers had to move, yet again. I was very worried, as usual. Of course she shocked me again. Within minutes she found her cat box and was relaxed and rolling on the carpet. She was also thrilled to have nice big heating registers to curl up next to.
I couldn't believe how great she did. Being 17, with declining health, I worried and felt the need to tend her more than ever. Last week her body began shutting down. I knew I had to put her down but tried to make myself believe she was fine. I couldn't imagine not having her. We made an appointment to put her down but she died in my arms in the parking lot of the vet's office before we could go in. Even in her coma like state it was like she knew what was happening, and she wasn't going to make me have to go through the pain of watching her be put down.
I apologize for going on and on about my time with my cat Crackers; I know everybody loses pets, but I felt the need to share my story of my extraordinary blind cat. Her blindness was never a disability to her and I am so happy that we could make her last years the best years of her life. Having her has taught me to never let something hold you back. I will forever remember and love her. Pets are so much more than just a pet. They love unconditionally and don't judge you. If you're a pet person you know exactly what I mean.