Pet Stories:
Pumpkin, the Cat of Consolation on Chickamauga Lane
I met Pumpkin in 1996. Some people would say he was a "stray"
cat, but I've come to understand that he is actually a "wandering
minister" who chooses certain people or families who need a
special gift of love. Folks who live on my street, Chickamauga Lane,
know Mr. Pumpkin the cat because he is a very friendly fellow. He
stops by regularly to visit anyone who welcomes him, sometimes even when
they don't!
One summer, Pumpkin sauntered inside my neighbor's house for a
"visit" and no one saw him enter. They were packing up
and leaving for a 10 day vacation! After a week of searching for
him, we thought he had disappeared. When our neighbors returned they
found Pumpkin inside their house and he was okay! He'd survived on
left-over dog bones and got water from the toilet to drink! Thankfully,
they'd left the toilet seat up! Pumpkin revealed his impeccable
manners by using only ONE bathroom rug on which he'd relieved himself.
My kind-hearted neighbors were happy to only have that one rug to toss
in the garbage and we were all delighted that Pumpkin was safe and
unharmed!
Pumpkin appeared in my life six years ago just when I needed a
"furry friend". It was the winter of 1995/1996, and a
very sad time for me. My dear dog Pepsi, died on February 10th, 1996.
For the first time in 16 years I was returning home from work with no
one waiting "just for me." However, there was this big orange
cat visiting in my cul-de-sac that winter. He would "hang out"
in my garden and my neighbor's children named him Pumpkin.
After Pepsi died, a friend mentioned to me that the sweet orange cat at the top of
my hill was "much too skinny under all that hair for a cat his size."
Since I had never had a cat in my life before, I knew very little about
them. I had been distracted by my grief and hadn’t even noticed how
skinny he was or that he never seemed to "go home". Then
the light bulb went off in my head! This darling cat didn't have a
home! I hurried to the store to buy cat food!
The charming, gentle Pumpkin quickly became part of our family. We
appreciated his intelligence, gracious manners and funny antics. I
began to look forward to coming home from work, because Pumpkin was
always right there waiting for me. I also feel Pumpkin helped me get
through one the most difficult times of my life.
A year later, my neighbor Sally's beloved dog died. She told me that
Pumpkin began to visit her more often and she believes that Pumpkin also
helped her during her time of grief.
During the summer of 1998, my step-daughter, Savannah, found a kitten
and brought him home. Pumpkin was not pleased with Pippin, the new boy
cat. Pippin is a bit aggressive to say the least! We tried everything
we could think of to help the two cats get along in the same home, but
nothing worked.
It broke my heart when Pumpkin went in search of a new home. He
found Tom and Sandy, who lived at the other end of Chickamauga Lane.
Perhaps not coincidentally, Tom and Sandy had also recently lost their
family dog and they too had never had a cat of their own! I think it
must have been "time" for Pumpkin to find Tom and Sandy.
He was great joy to them for the three years they lived here.
Last year Tom and Sandy had to move out of state and we all decided
together that it would be best not take Pumpkin with them, since
ministering to the folks on Chickamauga Lane appears to be Pumpkin's
chosen vocation in life. After Tom and Sandy moved away, Pumpkin picked
the Muskgrove's to be his newest "home base" family where he
is welcomed, fed, and offered laps to nap on.
I can’t extend enough praise and thanks to them for caring for this
beautiful, magical, marvelous cat. He also visits Helen who lives a
few houses down from the Muskgroves'. Helen has said, "I think
that cat has ESP!" The Muskgroves and many of my friends have
made this comment about Pumpkin:
"There is something very special about him... his eyes, his face...
he just looks so wise. And he seemes to always know what we’re thinking
and saying!"
I take walks down the street with chicken treats for Pumpkin.
He gets along perfectly with my new dog Abby. (Abby was "trained"
by Pippin to respect ALL cats, which Pumpkin appreciates, I’m sure.)
Even though it's been many years since he lived with me, he knows my
whistle, and will come running to greet me, talking and "chirping"
the whole way to my feet where he immediately flops down and rolls over
for a scratch.
I send my thanks to ALL the kind folks on our street who stop
to speak to Pumpkin, who invite him in for visits and offer him
special treats. He is a missionary to human beings, the
"Cat of Consolation" on Chickamauga Lane, a
furry friend who blesses all who have the opportunity to know him.
With love and thanks to all of you who are kind to and care for
animals,
- Suzi
Our thanks to Suzi Bailey, who kindly contributed Pumpkin's
story.
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