Tough Guy




	WRITE 2 THE HEART Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart" September 4, 2003 Cheryl Speir, Editor, moderator@write2theheart.com ----------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to your latest issue of "Write 2 the Heart" You are receiving this newsletter because you requested a subscription or a friend generously forwarded their copy to you. To subscribe send a blank e-mail to subscribe@write2theheart.com. ------------------------------------------------------------ Pamela saw beyond the matted hair and saw the need. She gave a helping hand with little thought of being rewarded. Then one day the stray saw her need. ------------------------------------------------------------ Tough Guy By Pamela Jenkins ------------------------------------------------------------ When I saw the tangled mass of hair and listless expression of the cat, I knew I had to do something. The black cat had been seen around our barn for about two weeks. Always shy, he would slink away when he saw me doing chores. On this morning, however, he paused and looked back over his shoulder at me. In that brief instant that we stared at each other, I felt his mixture of distrust and hope. I went to the tack room of the barn and pulled out the Have-A-Hart trap. That night I left it by the barn door with an open can of sardines inside. The next morning I found the trap door sprung. Inside sat the cat, and I was finally able to get a better look at him. He seemed to be a Persian cat with big eyes and a flat nose, but unfortunately his lower jaw stuck out far enough that his bottom teeth showed. He had a funny, bulldog face. It reminded me of a tough guy in an old gangster movie. Since the cat seemed to be having a hard time surviving on his own, we decided to give him a "tough guy" name. We called him Bullet. That morning, Bullet rode with me to the veterinary clinic where I work. He didn't seem at all frightened by the car ride. In fact, he didn't seem to care one way or the other what we did with him. It was as if all the struggling he had endured had taken the life out of him. Over the next few days, Bullet got a complete make over. He was tested negative for feline diseases, received his vaccinations and was neutered, and was put on a healthy diet. His ears were cleaned of mites and his many wounds from catfights were medicated. The biggest change he received was being relieved of years' worth of neglected hair coat. The only choice we had was to completely shave him. All we left were his whiskers and a tuft on the end of his tail. Even with a new hairdo, Bullet looked rough. His body was covered with scars from parasites and injuries. His ears were notched from catfights. Bullet took all our ministrations with patience and grace. He obviously had been someone's pet at one time. No feral cat would have tolerated the grooming we put him through. In spite of all the attention lavished on him, he remained aloof and shy. In an attempt to make him feel more at ease, I gave him a cardboard box. Lined with a soft baby blanket, it was just what he wanted, a safe and comfortable den away from the world which had been so unkind to him. When Bullet came home with me, the box came also. He would step out long enough to eat or drink, then hurry back to his sanctuary. The other cats seemed to understand that the box was Bullet's "space" and let him be. He seemed content to spend his time alone. Several weeks went by with little change. Bullet continued to heal and his hair grew back with a lustrous shine. His frame filled out and he settled into our home. Still, our new cat remained quiet as a mouse and stayed out of sight. One day I was sitting in my rocking chair in front of the French doors. I had just been through a stressful week and was feeling low. There were times when feelings of depression were over- whelming, and it's a battle I face every day. My family was out of the house at the moment and I Found myself alone with my thoughts. As I watched the busy birds outside on the feeder, I wiped away a tear. I saw a movement off to my side. Bullet was standing in the living room. He was looking back at his tail, where the tuft was waving slowly back and forth. He suddenly spun around and swatted at it, chasing his tail in a circle as if he had found his own personal toy to bat. I held my breath as I watched. After a while he seemed to lose interest. He slowly walked over to me and sat down, looking up into my eyes. "Hey, Bullet," I said softly. "You've come out to play today, huh?" In the next instant, Bullet had launched himself onto my lap. He curled up in a ball, and for the first time I heard his deep rumbling purr of contentment. Just what I needed today, I thought as I stroked his soft coat. Bullet swiveled his bulldog face to look up at me, and slowly winked his eyes. I will never know what happened in Bullet's life before he came into mine. Whatever his traumatic history may have been, Bullet was slowly overcoming his fears and reservations. He was beginning to forget his past hurts and live again. He had overcome being abandoned and unloved, one of the biggest obstacles to be faced. As I rubbed the spot behind his ears, Bullet's purring grew even louder. Suddenly my own problems didn't seem so insurmountable after all. There have been many times that Bullet has snuggled up beside me when I'm feeling down. Somehow he knows when his presence is most needed. He may have needed a helping hand on that day long ago, but the old tough guy has paid me back a thousand times over with his love. Pamela Jenkins bunnies-n-birds @ juno.com You are encouraged to write to the authors to let them know what you think of their story, just remember to remove the space before and after the @ symbol. The space is placed in the address to protect our writers from viruses and email harvesting programs. Have a comment on today's story? Send it to: moderator@write2theheart.com ---------------------------------------------------------------- Pamela Jenkins lives on a small farm in Oklahoma with her husband of twenty-three years and their four children. She is the office manager of a veterinary clinic and enjoys writing in her spare time. She is a co-author of several inspirational books including Chicken Soup for the Grandparent's Soul and Chocolate for a Woman's Dreams. -------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------- Letters From Our Readers -------------------------------------------------------------- I enjoyed AMAZING GRACE and Annettee's account of her modeling days. I did become a model (not the kind that you see on TV today) rather in the large city where I grew up. Social graces, etiquette were all part of the training. I loved the excitement of the nice clothes, the other girls and learning to walk properly to show them off! I did this from jr. high through college at respectful and popular stores in the area. I would never trade the experience of sharing a smile and seeing a smile and learning how to conduct myself in public, it was to become a stepping stone for other areas when I began speaking in public. My focus wasn't on being beautiful, but having a new experience to draw from and learn about. Those that gain an inward beauty from any experience is truly rewarding. Today I have back problems and often use a walker; I could never walk down a runway or pivot like I once did. But I am grateful God allowed me the enjoyment of those special days. Diane Dean White --------------------------------------------------------------- Military Prayer Reminder --------------------------------------------------------------- As you read over this list of names, please take that moment to pray for these young people and their families: Chris Speir Tim Speir Alan Thaddeaus Howard Todd Holland Graham William Julie Sagel Jessie Marshal Thompson Jason Eric Hernandez Kristin Danielson Ken Prieur Ryan Please continue to pray for our country, our leaders, and our troops at this time. If you have loved ones in the military, or who are being called to go overseas, send their names (first and last or first only) to be included in our prayer reminder. --------------------------------------------------------------- Cheryl's Corner David’s puppy is growing so fast! This little two-pound dynamo thinks he can move the world. He believes he can lead anyone by grabbing their pants leg and walking in the direction he wants to go. And what did David name him? Shake Speir. God Bless, Cheryl ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- © 2003 Write 2 the Heart Nothing may be reproduced or published without the written permission of the individual author or copyright owner. All rights belong to the authors.