Monday, December 13, 2010

My Life as a Dog...and Christmas~

Merry Christmas to my family and friends!
My gift to you is this excerpt from my soon to be published book,
Life as a Dog...


Oh Christmas Tree oh, Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches, and your blue sparkling lights and your glittery ornaments and the attractive burgundy ribbons that dangle from your boughs.


Whoa, when my humans put up this lovely evergreen tree in our living room, my first thought was, ‘what the heck!’ because I wasn’t quite sure what the point was. Then Little D told me that Christmas was a holiday where the birth of Jesus Christ was celebrated. Wow! Someone else is having a birthday like I did. I asked Little D if we could take Jesus to DQ for ice cream but he just smiled, patted me on the head and said that He wasn’t alive anymore. Rather, Jesus was all around us, but in a special place called Heaven waiting for those who have yet to die. I really don’t understand the meaning of this holiday but even so the tree is quite exquisite.

The tree glimmered with blue lights in the darkened room. Big D sat on the floor leaning against the couch while gawking up at the glowing showpiece. I curled up between his legs and rested my head on his thigh: this action seems to encourage story time as well as gentle strokes upon my head. I truly wanted to hear and understand this holiday. But rather then delve into why the celebration was sacred; he let me know he felt a sense of sadness this season regardless of the joyful illusion. I wanted to hear more so I met his eyes to signal my interest so he’d go on with his speaking.

He murmured softly into the air, and I felt his sorrow as he tenderly caressed my ears, my face. He began, “Last year Hurricane, you were just a little guy and it was your first Christmas. Your kitty-brother Ginger would race through the remnants of torn paper and empty boxes littering the floor in the family room aside the tree enticing you to chase him. Ginger would hide under a pile of brightly colored wrapping and peer through an opening to watch you approach and then he’d bound out and the chase would be set in motion once more. It was a splendid day!”


I continued to listen to Big D’s reminiscing words. “Tragedy struck the next evening. Ginger Roozer wanted to go for his nightly scouring of the neighborhood. After a couple hours when he hadn’t appeared at the door, Nee Nee went out in search for the plump ginger feline. After ignored attempts at calling him, she walked the perimeter of the house and was startled by a delicate whimper. She faced the sound and found Ginger Roozer lying in the pine straw next to the steps. He gazed up at her with pleading frightened eyes. Hurricane, Nee Nee says she will never forget the terrified alarmed look on his face.”

I was captivated by Big D’s words and feared the ending, although I thought he needed to tell his story so I allowed him to continue. “Nee Nee called him and he gave a faint meow as if to beg for help. Ginger was unable to move so she ran into the house for a towel and yelled that something had happened to Ginger. I ran outside on the porch and called him to come to me but he was unable to move. Nee Nee scooped him in her arms and after frantic calls to locate an open emergency veterinarian clinic we were off.

“The drive to the Vet Hospital felt like an eternity and we were greeted by the receptionist at the door. She seized the bundle that held Ginger. We sat frenzied awaiting any news on our beloved pet. The Doctor came to us with the grim news; my kitty-brother had been shot with a BB gun. A pellet entered his back and hit directly on the spine paralyzing him; it was best to have him put to sleep rather than to live a life of misery and prolonged pain.”

My heart broke for my kitty-brother Ginger. Being a babyish sprite of ten weeks, I was so wrapped up in my own being I hadn’t picked up on the sadness of my human family. I was really sorry. I felt Big D’s grief. I licked Big D’s hand to pass along my sympathies. I also had an powerful longing to take away his pain. After such a personal loss is that even possible?

Cuddling with Big D, I couldn’t help but remind him of a quote I once heard by Chief Seattle; ‘there is no death, only a change of worlds.’ I wanted to reassure Big D that Ginger Roozer was no longer with our family in our world, but in the Heaven-world with Jesus. As we speak, Ginger is racing after a cat-nip mouse across the mounds of vibrantly decorated package wrap. The thought forced a smile to my heart as the lights flicker on the branches; thinking of you too Ginger Roozer, thinking of you, too…

25 comments:

Jules said...

Oh my heavens. Poor Ginger Roozer. This story broke my heart. I can tolerate many things but cruelty to animals...

Here is praying Ginger gets extra cat-nip from me.
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

Pitterle Postings said...

Oh, I am so sorry. I will never understand how people could be so cruel.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

So sorry about Ginger, Tracy... Is this s true story??? Almost made me cry. Hope you found out who shot Ginger with that BB Gun... What a shame!!!

If this is what the entire book is about, it will be a huge HIT, Tracy... Good Luck with it...

Hugs,
Betsy

turquoisemoon said...

Ooh this is soooo sad...brought tears to my eyes. Poor little Ginger..just breaks my heart. The book sounds wonderful, full of "heart". Good Luck!

JennyD said...

I'm not sure I'll ever stop crying. Omg, this broke my heart.

Ginny Hartzler said...

Oh, I am so sorry that Christmas is shadowed by this sad memory for your family. This is a three kleenex story for sure! Do you have any suspicions who did this thing?

Tracy said...

Jules, I pray everyday Ginger is receiving cat-nip and plenty of hugs in Heaven. He was truly a unique little guy and we miss him terribly!

Patty Ann, I totally agree about cruelty...it doesn't make sense to me.

Betsy, sadly, this is a true story which is why my husband just gave his 'permeission' to get another kitty after two years; his heart is truly broken and he couldn't allow himself to get attached to antoher kitty.
And yes, this story is a reflection of the entire book.

Turquoise Moon, yes, our hearts are still breaking and mending over Ginger...he was a stray who just found us.

Jenny D, yes, our hearts our still broke after two years...I hope your tears are dry.

Ginny, it is without a doubt something we think about at Christmas...

...to all,thank you for your kind words... NO we never did find out who shot Ginger. We even had a reward but eventually the police lost interest. WE put up fliers and went door to door with no success. Like I told Betsy, we just haven't been able to get another cat although I love cats; my husband just couldn't do it. He finally told me a few days ago it was okay but we always have our Angel-Kitty Ginger.

Nancy said...

Thank you for sharing a part of your book, Tracy. So sad about Ginger. I feel sorry for whoever did that to your cat.

Hope you are having a wonderful day today!

Arkansas Patti said...

How very sad and painful for you.
Too often young boys (and girls) are given a BB gun and shoved out the door with no guidence except not to shoot their siblings. Then there are mean spitited adults who get joy out of inflicting pain. Sadly,our animals suffer.
Thanks for sharing that part of your book.

Old Kitty said...

Oh my goodness. Oh how awful! I am so so sorry to read about how Ginger was shot. I'm so sorry. Human cruelty never ceases to amaze and horrify me. Poor Ginger.

Thank you for sharing this excerpt here. Take care
x

Wanda..... said...

Ginger's ordeal was very sad...such a senseless act by someone. My young granddaughter once rescued and kept a lost puppy with a balloon stretched and tightly tied around it's neck.

From the Kitchen said...

Such a beautifully written but sad story. I can't imagine harming any animal.

Best,
Bonnie

Out on the prairie said...

The picture in the wrapping can be a good memory.Sad someone took his life. Strays around me can be a problem. I have four of my own, but there are more feral cats than people in Iowa.I fenced in my yard and this keeps mine in the yard, they like the security.

Bossy Betty said...

Oh, as a pet person, I just found this so sad. This would be hard to get over....

kenju said...

I love the Chief's quote.

2 Tramps said...

What a very sad tale you have written about. Hopefully it was an act by a kid being dared by someone and when it was over, he/she felt incredible remorse. Sadly, most likely the perpetrator will go on to shoot larger creatures out of season just for sport...

Deborah said...

Hi Tracy, Thanks for visiting today! I loved your except of your book, very sad though.
But on a lighter note, I'm looking forward to following your blog!
Have a great day!!

Rita said...

So nice of you to share this with us. Your heart is open to let us see how you feel. So very sorry for poor Ginger.
Life is sometimes so cruel and hard to understand.

Jim said...

Thanks for sharing this and look forward to the published version.
Jim

Bobbie said...

So sad. Who would do such a thing?

Connie said...

Oh my goodness, Tracy. What a sad story. Our pets do bring so much love and understanding into our lives. Hard to imagine that someone would do this intentionally.

eileeninmd said...

A wonderfully writen story, Tracy. It is sad and I am sorry about your Ginger kittie. I like to keep my pets safe in th house with me.

Parker said...

Poor baby, what an awful thing to have happen. People can be so mean...

Rural Rambler said...

Tracy I am so sorry. CH and I love kitties and have had some great ones in our 38 years together. I have not been able to think about another kitty in our house since we had to let our Country Z Cat go January "09. It makes me so angry that someone could do that to your orange boy. I am still here reading and learning :)

Marg said...

Tracy that is a great story. We also shed a tear for Ginger. That is so horrible that someone shot him. I will be interested in reading the whole book. It sounds like a winner, that is for sure. Hope you have a wonderful Holiday.