Even when it looks like the story is over and all hope is lost, just hold on. I hope this might help.
Sammy the cat belonged to my cousin, Shannon, my unofficial sister and wanna be mother. When she died suddenly, I went to Windsor, Ontario, to find Sammy a home and to honor her with final arrangements. I had one week to get it all done.
What you need to know is that Sammy and his father, Solomon, had been Shannon’s comfort and companions as she endured a life of chronic pain. She loved them, and they loved her back. My final gift to her was to find them a good home.
But no one wanted two older cats. On top of that, Solomon was sickly. And though Sammy was healthy, his age and crossed eyes worked against him. I couldn’t find anyone willing to rescue or foster them, and I couldn’t bring them back to North Carolina.
That’s when I found Nina Troy at TLC Animal Aid. With just a few days left, I begged. And she said yes, despite knowing she would probably never find them a home other than her own. She was like a little blonde miracle.
A week later, Solomon died, and Sammy was left with nothing familiar. Withdrawn, he didn’t come out of the room where he was placed. Nina loved him and slowly brought him out of his shell. But no one wanted him.
For nearly 12 months, Sammy’s photo remained on the TLC adoption website. Until recently - just shy of the one-year anniversary of Shannon's death.
The timing was uncanny. And Christine, the woman who adopted him, has a striking resemblance to Shannon, who was deeply faithful and relied heavily on Jesus to get her through every painful day.
The significance of Christine’s name didn’t hit me until I sat praying about Shannon in the dark early hours, marking one year since she died. Of all the names, this was hers. Christine. Christ-ine. If you knew Shannon, you’d know how perfect this was. Then, I heard a small, playful voice whisper, “I knew you’d figure it out.” It felt like her
All of this is our reminder that heaven mingles with us if we will only notice. And even when it feels like things will never change, they can. In time. We just need to hold on - like Sammy.
(Also, be sure to plan ahead for your pet’s care in case of emergency. And please help TLC continue the great work they’re doing, by donating here: https://www.tlcanimalaid.org/donate.)