Joey The Cat

on Jan 18, 2011  

Joey.
(there is a bug in the blog to do with commas quotes apostrophys and other symbols - forwarding to Chris and Daniel)

Its been quite some time since I posted a blog here so I thought I would take a moment and put down some thoughts I had last night while conversing in chat.

I have, in the past, written a few entries concerning the untimely death of my little brother in law. The other day a few of us were in chat talking about someone else's sickness and it triggered an interesting story I thought I would share about his pet cat Joey.

Soon after my brother in law was diagnosed with terminal cancer a feral cat started hanging around their house begging for food and attention. This cat was a beautiful Tabby and Deloy (my bro in-law), his wife and their family (ala-Brady bunch kids) were immediately stricken with it. This family was no stranger to pets as they had two little Pomeranian mop dogs, but to my knowledge they had never had a cat.

I know for a fact that Deloy, having never had a cat, was more than a little surprised at the instant affection this cat put on him. It was an instant friendship. This cat imprinted on Deloy so quickly everyone called him Dads cat Joey for no small reason.

Joey the cat followed Deloy everywhere in the house and waited patiently by the door if Deloy had some doctors or business appointment that required him to leave. As I reflect on the situation I find it incredible how the cat fit so well into the family. The cat created no problems with the dogs and never had an accident or caused any mischief to family, dwelling or belongings.

Joey always slept at the feet of Deloy on his bed much to the dismay of his wife. She soon realized there was nothing she could do to dissuade the cat from his master and made the necessary mental adjustments to accommodate the cats attentiveness.

As Deloy started to lose the battle to the cancer, he became home bound and eventually bed ridden. My wife and I spent many a night watching over her younger brother as the sickness ravaged his body and soul. The ever present Joey never left his side. There were many times when one of us on duty was watching TV in another room so Deloy could get some needed rest would be meowed at by the cat. We soon learned that this was Joeys way of fetching help for his sick pal. There was always a need to check on Deloy if Joey appeared.

The term that the doctors estimated my brother in laws time left was 2 years. He lasted 2 years and 2 months.

Deloy passed in his sleep at home. I was called and immediately left to see what help I could offer. Ever the attentive companion, there was Joey the cat. He followed the gurney with his master to the waiting transport vehicle and sat in the ditch as the car made its way down the street Watching and waiting.

Two days later Joey left, never to return.

It was as if he understood his job was done.

Thanks Joey, for everything.

For a lighter look at cats see James Caturday thread:
Caturday thread on ModelInsider