by Amy Newmark
I am not a fan of declawing, but this was almost a sure sign the cat had lived exclusively indoors. The cat named Butterscotch had been surrendered by his owner because her elderly mother was coming to live with her, and her mother was allergic to cats.
I arrived in San Antonio late Tuesday morning and went to the shelter early that afternoon.
I walked into the shelter’s large cat room, which held about fifty cats scurrying about. I was intimidated. A tall countertop sat in the center of the room, and I walked up to it to get a good view of all the cats. I could not imagine how long it would take a cat to acclimate to this situation.
A mammoth tan-and-white beast of a cat leaped up on the counter, got in my face, and demanded attention. “That’s him,” said the shelter lady.
“I’ll take him,” I responded instantly as I stroked his friendly face. There was no question. He was not intimidated in this lively place. He was very outgoing, and he was huge. I had brought a cat kennel for transport, but had to borrow one of the shelter’s dog kennels, as Butterscotch’s twenty-two pounds would not fit into the normal cat-sized kennel.
I took the cat to Dad’s and tested my assumptions. I placed the kennel in the living room and opened the door. We sat and watched. Almost immediately, he came out of the kennel, walked a few steps, plopped down, and stretched out smack dab in the middle of the living-room floor. He took in his surroundings.
“There is Joe,” I said. Outgoing was an understatement; Joe was brazen.
Dad leaned forward in his wheelchair and studied the cat.
I grabbed a cat treat and patted my leg. “Come, Joe.” The cat rose and trotted over to me.
For some unknown reason, I said, “Sit.” The cat sat.
“Very good,” said Dad.
Unbelievable! I thought.
Dad and Joe got along famously. Joe played and entertained. He loved to watch the birds Dad fed on the patio. Best of all, Joe turned Dad around. He healed from severe depression and learned to accept life as it was for him. He became the elderly version of the dad we all knew.
When Dad moved to assisted living, Joe went too, and adapted well. He became the entertainment on Dad’s hall wing. Nurses, aides, administrators, and housekeepers all knew and loved Joe. When someone knocked on Dad’s door, Joe ran to welcome them. He continued to be the constant in Dad’s life. Our phone calls always included Dad sharing Joe’s antics.
At ninety-one, Dad’s time on earth ended. My two sons, a nurse, and Joe and I were at his bedside when he peacefully passed from this world. The day after Dad died, the pet sitter snapped a photo of Joe lying in Dad’s favorite chair. Joe looked disheveled, disoriented, and depressed.
The pet sitter and several of the staff expressed interest in providing Joe a new home, but Dad’s grown kids could not let Joe go anywhere but to one of our homes. He was part of our family. Joe traveled north to live at my brother’s house. He and his wife already had three cats, but there was plenty of room for another.
Of course, Joe adapted well. He learned to chase shadows up and down the stairs, nap on the sofa, play in the snow, and watch birds from the upper deck. Realistically, we could have left Joe in a good home in San Antonio. Emotionally, we could not. He had done so much for our dad. We not only owed Joe, we honored him.
~Gretchen Allen
Meet Our Contributors
Gretchen Allen teaches people about the wonderful natural and cultural resources of our country. In her free time, she visits the elderly with her therapy dog, plays with her two non-therapy dogs and three cats, enjoys riding her horse, and paints and draws.
Catherine Ancewicz joined a creative writing ministry at her church in 2013. Since then she has written several stories about her personal experiences, as well as working on her first novel. In addition to writing, she enjoys reading, calligraphy, and pen & ink drawings. She lives in South Florida near her daughter and family.
Janet Anderson-Murch received her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Maine in 2010. She is a child and family therapist in central Maine and enjoys spending time with her husband and adult children, as well as taking care of sheep, horses, and chickens at their family farm.
Mary Ellen Angelscribe is an international pet columnist and author of Expect Miracles and A Christmas Filled with Miracles. Animal Planet’s Must Love Cats features her swimming cats. Read heartwarming, inspirational and miracle pet tales with educational tips on Facebook’s Pet Tips “n” Tales. E-mail her at [email protected].
Kiva Arne lives in beautiful Southern Oregon. She enjoys writing, hiking, skiing, kayaking, reading, going on adventures, and talking about herself in the third person.
A mother of three (James, Evangeline and Isabelle), Mary Fluhr Bajda received her Bachelor’s degree in education, with honors, from Marywood University. She is currently working as Director of Religious Ed and Music for St. Ann’s Church in Shohola. E-mail her at [email protected].
Barbara Bartocci has authored nonfiction books and magazine articles for major women’s magazines. She is also a professional speaker who specializes in women’s groups and church groups. She is the devoted owner of Emily the kitty cat.
Gretchen Bassier works as a home healthcare aide. She is the proud aunt of Julia, Tommy, Landon and Brady. Gretchen writes short stories and novels, and hopes to start a nonprofit to benefit feral cats. Visit her blog for writing resources, reviews, story links and more at astheheroflies.wordpress.com.
Jill Berni is an avid animal lover and history buff. In addition to her years volunteering at a cat shelter, she also volunteered with her dog, Sunny, in a therapy dog program. She continues her volunteer work to this day. Jill lives in Toronto with her husband, Fred, and their two dogs. She plans to write short stories in the future.
Stacia Giftos Bissell lives in western Massachusetts. She studied mathematics at Wells College in New York and has a Master of Education degree. She has three grown children and spent much of her career as a teacher until sustaining a brain injury from a bike accident. She is now a public speaker, consultant, advocate, and educator for brain injuries.
Jan Bono writes a cozy mystery series set on the southwest Washington coast. She’s also published five humorous personal experience collections, two poetry chapbooks, nine one-act plays, a dinner theater play, and has written for magazines ranging from Guideposts to Woman’s World. Learn more at JanBonoBooks.com.
Freda Bradley is a professional historian. Her research business, Bridging History, centers on historic and genealogical research in the Appalachian regions of West Virginia and Eastern Kentucky. She is currently writing a book on some of the Dutch settlers during the pre-Revolutionary settlement of West Virginia.
Josh Burnell is a screenwriter, podcaster and code monkey living in Los Angeles with his wife and disapproving cat. He can often be found writing, alphabetizing his horror movies and attending rock shows. He’s a big fan of Meat Loaf, the singer and the food. E-mail him at [email protected].
Eva Carter is a freelance writer whose background includes a career in the entertainment field and then finance. Photography and traveling are a few of Eva’s interests.
Tori Cleaves and her sister Nikki live in southwest Florida. Tori is a full-time nanny for two young girls. Nikki is currently in school to become a Physical Therapy Assistant. They both love running marathons, sports, church, and working with all types of animal rescues. Duma still remains a very important part of their lives.
M. Scott Coffman recently had a story published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Best Mom Ever! He and his wife, Diana, currently have two cats, and are thinking about adding a dog to the mix. They live in Auburn, IL.
Joanne M. Copeland is a dressage trainer and riding instructor in Ontario, Canada. She lives with her husband, three cats, and a palomino horse named Silver. Joanne volunteers at the SPCA and practices the ancient Japanese martial art of Iaido. E-mail her at [email protected].
C. E. DeRosier lives in Wiscons
in with her boyfriend and their cat. She loves to spend her time writing, reading, playing video games, and watching movies. She can often be found with her nose in a book or at a local thrift shop.
Sharon Rene Dick works as a legal assistant at a major corporation and teaches third grade Sunday school. She is a published author of flash fiction and children’s short stories. She is currently writing a Christian young adult speculative novel.
Lisa Napell Dicksteen has been a freelance writer and editor for many years. She also teaches secondary English. A native New Yorker, Lisa lives in Colorado with her husband, son, and Bear, their Lab/Pit mix. She is happiest reading, writing, or helping others with their writing. E-mail her at [email protected].
Lissa Dobbs is an avid book junkie who loves fantasy above all else. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, crochet, and making dollhouse miniatures.
Ryan Dube received his Bachelor of Science in engineering from the University of Maine in 1998. He lives with his wife and two daughters in Indiana. Ryan enjoys blogging, hiking, camping, and writing. He is working on a memoir detailing his weird and wonderful life. E-mail Ryan at [email protected].
Jessica Edwards fell in love with literature as a child and was always seen with her nose in a book. Her love for reading has blossomed into a passion for writing. She spends sunny days exploring the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys hiking, canoeing, and seeking out new adventures.
Meredith Engerski lives in Noblesville, IN, with her husband Kevin, daughter Victoria, and two Huskies. An avid runner and competitive triathlete, she is also a contestant for Mrs. Indiana 2017. Meredith is the Practice Manager of both Cottage Animal Hospital and Allisonville Animal Hospital, where Pete has his full-time position as Greeter.
Donna Fawcett is the former creative writing instructor for Fanshawe College in London. She is an award-winning author, singer, songwriter, freelance magazine and newspaper writer and a national conference speaker. Her novels Rescued and Vengeance won “Best Contemporary Novel” in The Word Awards. Learn more at donnafawcett.com.
Award-winning author of contemporary and fantasy romances under the nom de plume Lizzie T. Leaf, L.M. Fillingim has a degree from the “School of Life.” She is working on non-romances with a WWII historical theme and a women’s fiction novel, both under her real name. When not writing, her focus is family, cooking, and travel. E-mail her at [email protected].
Leanne Froebel received her Associate degree in nursing in 2003. She lives in Marshfield, WI, with her cats Linus, Rider, and Vinny (who always makes her smile) and some Betta fish. She enjoyed showing her cats in the past and volunteering with Vinny in pet therapy. E-mail her at [email protected].
Kathleen Gemmell loves playing with written words. Currently penning for online sites and magazines, Kathy is also a storyteller, an animal welfare proponent, a psychology buff, and a connoisseur of fine pizza.
Dawn Smith Gondeck and her husband ditched pursuing the typical “American Dream” and travel the U.S. full-time in an RV. She blogs about their travels, RV life, and misadventures. She has even written a few short stories on the side. You can keep up with their travels at randombitsoftrialanderror.com.
Amie Gordon-Langbein is a mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend, who also happens to be a personal and professional development coach and physician. She is known for her big heart and vibrant spirit. She loves connecting to people and their stories, and believes we each have a story longing to be told.
Lisa Faire Graham received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida, and is married with two stepchildren. After retiring from a twenty-year career with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, she is now an award-winning fine art photographer, who enjoys writing, traveling and spoiling Mitzi, her rescued Siamese.
Heather Harshman is an estate planning attorney, law professor, writer, and mother of two little ones. In between her jobs and being a mom, she posts short stories and stories about faith and traveling on her blog at HeatherHarshman.com. She enjoys bicycling, traveling, gardening, and camping with her family.
Christy Heitger-Ewing, an award-winning writer and columnist who pens human interest stories for national, regional, and local magazines, has contributed to over a dozen anthologies and is the author of Cabin Glory: Amusing Tales of Time Spent at the Family Retreat (www.cabinglory.com). She lives with her husband, two sons, and two cats.
Marilyn Helmer is the award-winning author of over thirty children’s books and her short stories, poetry and articles have appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies in Canada and the U.S. Her penchant for entering writing contests has resulted in success with short adult fiction as well.
Marijo Herndon’s stories appear in numerous Chicken Soup for the Soul books as well as many other anthologies and publications. She enjoys writing from her home in New York where she lives with her husband, Dave, and two rescue cats, Lucy and Ethel.
Susan A. Hoffert is currently crafting a collection of stories, inspired by her chickens, about empty nests, rediscovering faith and starting anew. Her work has appeared in Fall: Women’s Stories and Poems for the Season of Wisdom and Gratitude, Words & Other Worthy Endeavors, and The Skunk River Review.
David Hull is a retired schoolteacher who now spends his time reading, writing, gardening, watching too many reruns of Everybody Loves Raymond and spoiling his nieces and nephews. You can contact him at [email protected].
Kristin Ingersoll is an Instructional Designer, E-Developer, and frustrated writer. Kristin grew up in Indiana stealing turtles from the local creek as pets until she finally got a hamster. She now has two cats that despise, and take every opportunity to terrorize, each other. But she loves them both EQUALLY!
Jeffree Wyn Itrich has been writing since childhood. Trained as a journalist, she works in health communications. Jeffree lives in San Diego with her husband and two feisty female felines who make her laugh. When she’s not writing, she quilts by hand. E-mail her at [email protected].
Robin Jankiewicz graduated from Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA. Eventually, she and her husband moved out of Gizmo’s apartment building into a house in Los Angeles, CA, where they keep busy as they raise their two boys. Eventually, they plan to adopt a rescue cat.
Marilyn June Janson received her Master of Science degree, cum laude, from Long Island University in 1980. She is the author of Recipe for Rage, a suspense novel, and two chapter books: The Super Cool Kids Story Collection and Tommy Jenkins: First Teleported Kid. Now, she is writing a YA novel. E-mail her at [email protected].
Janny J. Johnson was once the mom in a Pacific Northwest household with a husband, four children, an exchange student, five cats, two dogs, fish, a bird, and a bunny. She publishes in regional parenting magazines, writing about those days. Learn more at jannyjjohnson. com or on Facebook under Janny J. Johnson.
Stephanie Jones-McKee is thirty-one and has been writing since middle school. As a stay-at-home mom, she enjoys many hobbies including homeschooling her daughter, writing, drawing and painting.
Leslee Kahler has degrees in biology and history from Eastern University and Villanova University. She is married with two children and lives on a small farm with horses, ducks, and eight rescue cats. When she was a child, her father worked for an oil company, requiring the family to live overseas.
Joyce Laird is a freelance writer living in Southern California. Her features have been published in a wide range of consumer magazines and she is a regular contributor to both Woman’s World and the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Joyce is also a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.
Deborah Lean is a mixed media artist and writer living in Ontario, Canada. A retired nurse and grandmother of seven, she enjoys family and numerous creative pursuits, including reading, writing, painting and crochet.
Ashley Ledlow is an aspiring writer who dedicates most of her time to the local Humane Society where she works with the many stray cats who reside there.
> Brenda Leppington works as an Information Manager within the healthcare system. Brenda enjoys travelling, and sharing stories of the many animals that have been a part of her life. Brenda is a previous contributor to the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.
Alex Lester is a writer from Toronto, Canada. She lives with two rescue cats and a vivid imagination.
Charlotte A. Lewis is a retired accountant and former teacher. She has nine grandchildren, five greats, and two great-great-grandsons. Charlotte has many varied interests; she likes to read, write, knit, sing, and travel. She is a self-published author of several novels ranging from historical fiction to mysteries.
Deb Louis teaches criminal justice and women’s studies courses online for Eastern Kentucky University and lives in the mountains of western North Carolina, an ideal setting and inspiration for her writing. Her current cat, Blue, supervises her work and keeps the house and grounds free of undesirable critters.
Lisa Mackinder received her Bachelor of Arts degree at Western Michigan University. A freelance writer, she lives in Portage, MI, with her husband and rescue animals. Besides writing, Lisa enjoys photography, traveling, reading, running, hiking, biking, climbing, camping, and fishing. E-mail her at [email protected].
Joshua J. Mark is an editor/director and writer for the online history site “Ancient History Encyclopedia.” His nonfiction has appeared in Timeless Travels and History Ireland and his short fiction in Litro and Writes for All, among others. He lives with his wife Betsy and daughter Emily in upstate New York.
Carmen Marlin, a Mississippi resident, worked twenty-three years in banking before graduating magna cum laude in nursing (BSN) from University of Memphis. Semi-retired, she is a board member of a Humane Society, vet tech at a spay clinic, and volunteer on the state disaster relief team. She enjoys traveling and scuba diving.
A practical joke appearance years ago led to discovery and encouragement by Minnie Pearl of the Grand Ole Opry for professor Kathryn J. Martin to leave college to become a full-time inspirational speaker/ writer as herself and as country humorist, Miz Maudie. Author of two books, Martin lives in Ponchatoula, LA.